HILDALE — Water Canyon High School welcomed Utah Tech to its new home in Hildale on Tuesday afternoon, which also marked the first new building university officials marketed with the new brand.
As previously reported in St. George News, the official name change from Dixie State University to Utah Tech University occurs July 1, but officials already are beginning the transition.
The new campus in Hildale will allow Water Canyon High School students the opportunity to take college-level classes and earn credits while still in high school.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Brooks the Bison was on hand along with Washington County school officials, community members and Utah Tech representatives to celebrate the new addition.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Director of University Events and Promotions Megan Church told St. George News. “We’re really excited to be here. We’re on the rise and Hildale is part of the community we want to be a part of.”
This is the first building that Utah Tech University is rolling out with the new brand, said Chris Gifford, director of branch campuses.
“It’s an exciting day,” he said. “This is something that has been a vision for about the last five years. To do this through the pandemic, it really took a team effort between the school district and the university. It was all hands on deck and to see this come to fruition is pretty special. It’s a great day to be a Trailblazer.”
Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop attended the ribbon-cutting as well as Utah Tech President Richard “Biff” Williams.
“As I think about our mascot, the Trailblazers, there’s no better way to celebrate our new name than by being in the city that is the No. 1 trailblazer in America, and also school district,” Williams said in his remarks.
The new branch campus at Water Canyon is another manifestation of the rapid growth at the school in Hildale, which went from having one graduate seven years ago to 47 this year.
“Our percentage of students that are going on to secondary ed, either getting associate’s degrees or going to four-year universities, has increased every year,” Water Canyon Principal Steve Showalter said.
“Our kids need that same opportunity that they would get anywhere else,” Showalter added. “To be able to take these concurrent enrollment classes, get that college credit, start working towards their associate’s degree is really important, and the kids are really excited about it.”
Other signs of the growing high school community in Hildale are the Career and Technical Education building catty-corner to the high school and the newly completed football and softball fields.
“These are all things we are able to offer our students that we weren’t able to offer before,” Showalter said. “And it’s great to see them see those horizons open.”
Photo Gallery
Brooks the Buffalo with friends at a ribbon cutting at the new Utah Tech University branch campus, Hildale, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
President Richard "Biff" Williams at a ribbon cutting at the new Utah Tech University branch campus, Hildale, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Director of Branch Campuses Chris Gifford at a ribbon cutting at the new Utah Tech University branch campus, Hildale, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
A ribbon cutting at the new Utah Tech University branch campus, Hildale, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Water Canyon High School principal Steve Showalter at a ribbon cutting at the new Utah Tech University branch campus, Hildale, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
A ribbon cutting at the new Utah Tech University branch campus at Water Canyon High School, Hildale, Utah, May 17, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
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