ST. GEORGE – On behalf of Dixie State College of Utah, its president, Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld, invited all DSC students, faculty and staff, and the community to attend the Fifth Annual College Convocation Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. The Convocation will be held in the Cox Auditorium on the DSC campus at no costs and refreshments will be served at a reception following the event.
The 2012 convocation
The convocation, a nondenominational event, will feature an inspirational address from William H. “Bill” Child, who currently serves as chairman of the board for RC Willey. Joining DSC students, administrators, faculty and staff in attendance will be a number of St. George-area clergy along with local government leaders, the school’s board of trustees, and other dignitaries.
The program will also include inspirational songs and performances by students and faculty from DSC’s Fine Arts department.
Child and RC Willey
In 1954, Child took over a small 600-square foot appliance store from his father-in-law, RC Willey. The store, which had a cement floor and cinderblock walls, had no bathroom facility and the electric power and nine-party telephone line was run from the Willey home next door. The nascent store had one employee and $250,000 in annual sales. Using his management philosophies, “Grow the company with integrity, constantly improving,” and “Never be satisfied with the status quo,” Child transformed that one store into a regionally successful home furnishings franchise, which employs more than 2,500 people, and has stores in Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California.
After Child turned RC Willey into a successful franchise, he sold the franchise to billionaire businessman Warren Buffett 40 years later.
In addition to the success of RC Willey, Child has been involved in a number of successful real estate projects.
“We welcome Bill Child to our campus for our convocation,” said Christina Schultz, DSC vice president of institutional advancement. “As an accomplished entrepreneur, we are confident that Bill has much knowledge to impart to our students and community. We look forward to learning about the management and personal philosophies that have led to his success.”
The convocation tradition at DSC
Nadauld introduced this new tradition in 2008, as a way to establish a four-year culture at Dixie. He said that he is pleased that the convocation has become a part of the opening week of classwork on the campus. Nadauld noted that these types of nondenominational gatherings go on at other college campuses throughout the country and have an inspirational flavor to them.
Contact for more information:
DSC Public Relations office
Telephone: 435-652-7544.
•••
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews