In the News

• Fox 13 News Monday, May. 15, 2023

  Steed named to oversee Great Salt Lake efforts

  SALT LAKE CITY — Brian Steed, the head of an environmental policy institute at Utah State University, has been tapped to oversee state efforts to help the Great Salt Lake recover.

  Governor Spencer Cox, House Speaker Brad Wilson and Senate President J. Stuart Adams picked him to be the "Great Salt Lake Commissioner," a position created by the legislature earlier this year. The position has the ability to override state agencies if it means protecting the lake, which has declined dramatically and presents an ecological crisis for nothern Utah.

• The Herald Journal Monday, May. 15, 2023

  USU announces scholarship for Native students

  Utah State University is now offering full tuition and student-body fee scholarships to qualifying Native American Students, according to a Utah State Today press release posted Monday morning.

  Applications for the scholarship are currently open, according to the release, and the university plans to grant the funds for the Fall 2023 semester.

  “The Native American Student Scholarship is USU’s continued commitment to Native American students,” Kristian Olsen, an associate vice president for USU Blanding, was quoted as saying. “We know this will help many students who want to attend university but are concerned about paying the tuition.”

• Fox 13 News Thursday, May. 11, 2023

  USU partners up with Hill Air Force Base in multiyear long education program

  LOGAN, Utah — Hill Air Force Base has struck a five-year-long partnership with USU, allowing researchers on the base and military personnel to pursue degrees and certificates at the university.

  The partnership, which was signed and made official at the David B. Haight Alumni Center Thursday morning, is to be made valid across the entire university and is the first formal contract between the two bodies. Though according to Dean Jagath Kaluarachchi, they have had several collaborations in the past.

  "Unfortunately, for so many years, we didn't have a formal mechanism because of various logistical difficulties, legal contractual difficulties, etcetera," Kaluarachchi said. "So that shuts doors and windows for our people to work directly."

• KSL Thursday, May. 11, 2023

  USU's 3D printing center aims to create solutions for disabilities

  LOGAN — For some people with disabilities, the devices they need to help with their everyday tasks may not even exist yet, but a center at Utah State University is looking to change that.

  The ability to be independent is huge for Shawnie Christensen, as a unique device helps her to speak through her muscular dystrophy.

  "It has been really helpful but when it breaks," Christensen said.

  But that device is unlike the other things she's used for years. Christensen has a custom-made mechanical arm, which helps her with specific challenges and reach.

• Deseret News Thursday, May. 04, 2023

  President Cockett bids USU graduates adieu in her last commencement

  Utah State University awarded degrees to 6,640 students at the school’s 163rd commencement Thursday morning.

  After their traditional walk from the Quad, the graduates were welcomed into the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum arena by triumphant music from the USU Wind Orchestra. Friends and families cheered as their graduates appeared smiling and waving on the jumbotron.

  As the students filed into their seats, President Noelle Cockett took to the podium to conduct her last commencement ceremony before stepping down after six years in the position.

• Salt Lake Tribune Monday, May. 01, 2023

  Utah State University reveals three finalists in search for new president

  Utah State University announced Monday that a search committee has recommended three finalists to become the school’s new president, following current president Noelle Cockett’s November announcement that she was resigning.

  The three finalists are Rodney Bennett, a previous president of the University of Southern Mississippi; Elizabeth “Betsy” Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona; and Kenneth “Ken” White, USU’s dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, among other roles.

• Yahoo! News Monday, May. 01, 2023

  Why the world's oceans are suddenly getting hotter

  The ocean is getting warmer, and fast. The BBC reports that "a recent, rapid heating of the world's oceans" has raised alarms among scientists who worry the sudden trend is a sign that climate change is accelerating. That could have devastating consequences: Fish and other marine life could die off, more extreme weather events could be on the way, and the oceans — already rising — will encroach on coastal areas.

  "This is heading in an unprecedented direction, and could be taking us into uncharted territory," the University of East Anglia's Ben Webber tells The Guardian. Why is the ocean warming? What effects will it have? And can anything be done?

• Cache Valley Daily Saturday, Apr. 22, 2023

  New USU Extension website offers flood preparation and recovery resources

  Due to the record snowfall this year, many areas of the state have experienced flooding, and other parts are bracing for it. To assist homeowners, businesses, and others, Utah State University Extension created a website with flood information and resources at flood.usu.edu. The site includes information and tips on how to prepare for flooding, what to do during a flood, and recovery after a flood. Also included are flood maps for the state, information on sandbagging, flood insurance, emergency preparation, food safety, sanitizing, and more. 

  One article on the website includes information on safely cleaning your home after a flood.

  USU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Professor Kathy Riggs stresses the importance of properly cleaning and sanitizing wet and muddy household furnishings, carpets, clothing, and surfaces as quickly as possible after a flood to avoid damage and contamination. 

• Cache Valley Daily Friday, Apr. 21, 2023

  New building to be added to USU's Huntsman School of Business complex

  LOGAN – Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business will soon have a home on campus for its experiential learning offerings with the announcement Friday of a new building coming to the Huntsman School of Business complex at USU.

  The new building will honor prominent business leaders and philanthropists Kem and Carolyn Gardner.

  The Huntsman School has become a premier hands-on learning center, with the continuing development of experiential learning, or learning by doing.

• KSL Friday, Apr. 21, 2023

  USU professor trying to solve wild horse overpopulation problem

  HENEFER, Summit County — Horses are long considered a symbol of the American West. There are well over 80 thousand wild horses and burros across the western U.S. and they're a constant concern for both wildlife managers and animal activists.

  Utah State University professor Terry Messmer called it a problem that his generation created.

  "The 1971 act said horses are important, they're valuable, they need to be part of the landscape," Messmer said.

  He pointed out that the animals are not native and they're exhausting the resources for other animals and themselves.

• Utah Public Radio Wednesday, Apr. 19, 2023

  USU landscape arch. students 'All Hands on Deck' to save Great Salt Lake

  On Friday, USU’s landscape architecture seniors are presenting their capstone projects under the theme of “All Hands on Deck,” an effort aimed at saving the Great Salt Lake. The students have formulated and developed landscape architecture initiatives for five locations related to Great Salt Lake.

  The five projects include a proposal for the establishment of responsible development on the eastern shoreline, preservation and design of a landscape commemorating the Bear River Massacre site, plans for a saline lake research center on Antelope Island, a proposal for an ecologically-focused regional park in Salt Lake City, and the creation of a toolkit for designers, planners, and citizens to help guide policy and design approaches intended to return water to the lake.

• KSL Tuesday, Apr. 18, 2023

  Snow cover allows vole populations to thrive in Cache Valley

  CACHE VALLEY — Voles are tearing up yards, and in some cases, wreaking havoc on lawns in Cache Valley.

  Every several years, the populations explode, and some of the experts say the cover from the snow this year is helping keep them hidden from predators.

  It's not exactly what Austell Cowley expected to catch on his wildlife camera.

  "I thought I'd show her all the birds that came to feed in her feeder," he said.

• Popular Science Monday, Apr. 17, 2023

  Blue carbon is a natural climate solution with big potential

  To curb climate change, governments across the globe have set goals to achieve “net zero emissions.” This means that for every unit of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere, the same amount is removed through a nature-based solution—like forest protection—or artificial ones like carbon capture technology. 

  In an effort to reach net zero by 2050, the Biden administration is investing in a promising strategy: blue carbon.

• Cache Valley Daily Sunday, Apr. 16, 2023

  USU Extension and College of Ag honored with seven Best of State awards

  Four Utah State University Extension programs and three College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (CAAS) programs are recipients of the 2023 Best of State Awards.

  Utah’s Best of State Awards recognize organizations and businesses in Utah that are outstanding in their area of work. Applicants are required to write about achievements in their field of endeavor, including innovation or creativity in their approaches, techniques, methods or processes, and the contribution their business makes to the quality of life in Utah. Over 100 judges review each nomination before casting their votes, and applications with the highest number of votes win a Best of State medal.

• Cache Valley Daily Thursday, Apr. 13, 2023

  USU receives $1 million grant to optimize AG water use

  LOGAN – A recent million dollar grant to Utah State University is designed to fight drought and conserve water in the Colorado River Basin.

  The funds will be used to invest in what is called Ag-DRIP, or the Ag Water Demonstration, Research and Implementation Program.

  Dr. Burdette Barker, an Irrigation Specialist with USU’s College of Engineering and USU Extension, said this project will help farmers make the best of what water they have.

• Deseret News Monday, Apr. 10, 2023

  Danny Sprinkle introduced as Utah State basketball coach

  Utah State basketball head coach Danny Sprinkle was introduced on Monday, making his first impression on Aggie fans.

  In a press conference in Logan, Sprinkle said he was honored to be chosen as Utah State’s 29th men’s basketball head coach.

  “I’m honored and humbled to represent you guys, to be chosen as the head coach of your men’s basketball program,” Sprinkle said.

• Cache Valley Daily Saturday, Apr. 01, 2023

  USU gymnasts end 2023 season with solid showing at NCAA Regionals

  PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Utah State’s two gymnasts had solid outings Friday in Session I of the second round of the Pittsburgh Regional.

  The two Aggies – junior Brianna Brooks and senior Sofi Sullivan – both hit on their respective routines as Utah State officially closed out its 2023 campaign at Petersen Events Center.

  “Our staff is so incredibly proud of Brianna and Sofi’s performance today,” Utah State head coach Kristin White said. “They both came in and rocked their final routines of the season and made Utah State very proud.”

  Sullivan capped her stellar Aggie career by recording a 9.875 on beam, placing seventh out of 27 competitors in Session I.

• KSL Thursday, Mar. 30, 2023

  Aggie Chocolate Factory first in US to make rare 'albino' chocolate bars

  LOGAN — Utah State University is working on research of the utmost importance — producing some rare chocolate that is not made anywhere else in the U.S.

  It comes from an albino cacao bean, which is not so easy to get here in Utah

  The Aggie Chocolate Factory specializes in making 70% dark chocolate. The albino chocolate will be that same higher concentration but will bring a much different taste, and it's all being done in the name of research.

  Turning beans into chocolate takes hours of work: the roasting, grinding, smoothing and molding. But to make the super-rare stuff takes sourcing, and in this case, Luciana Monteiro is the key. She's a Fulbright scholar from Brazil.

• CNN Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2023

  This lizard species stress-eats to cope with noisy US Army aircraft

  Living in a neighborhood with lots of noise can make you jittery, especially if you’re a lizard that’s just a few inches long.

  It’s no wonder that lizards exposed to noise pollution from low-flying fighter jets have resorted to stress-eating.

  Colorado checkered whiptails (Aspidoscelis neotesselatus) — striped and patterned lizards that live only in southeastern Colorado — are an all-female species that reproduce asexually. They also endure considerable noise from US Army flyovers.

  When researchers recently examined blood samples from these lizards, they detected elevated stress levels from the din. The lizards also had a coping strategy: They moved less, and they ate more.

• The Herald Journal Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2023

  USU students work with local greenhouse on rain harvesting system

  Utah State University students are currently working with The Green House Nursery Inc. in Logan to install a rain tank as part of a community outreach portion of a class.

  The students — Ellie Fillimoehala, Joshua Taylor and Ryan Kunz — issued a press release detailing the project.

  “A summer rainstorm at the GreenHouse looks a little counterintuitive,” the release states. “Torrential rain falls on greenhouses full of plants, runs off the roof, and disappears down a drain.”

  Simultaneously, according to the release, “drip lines pull water from the city to continuously water these same plants.”

• Cache Valley Daily Monday, Mar. 27, 2023

  USU researchers are receiving $350,000 for Alzheimer's research

  LOGAN – Several Utah State University researchers studying Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia are receiving a total of $350,000 from USU’s Alzheimers Disease and Dementia Research Center (ADRC).

  Beth Fauth, who is ADRC director, said the center’s mission is to promote Alzheimers research in the state.

  “This last legislative session we received funding to support this work. So, in this first year, we put out requests for proposals from USU faculty,” Fauth explained. “By next year we will be including other research institutions.

  “What we’re doing is asking for requests for what they need, whether it’s equipment or student support or funding for participants so they can bring people in to do studies with live individuals.”

  The center is new, opening last July, and is housed within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Utah legislator Dan Johnson, representing Utah House District 3, sponsored the concept of the center and funding was approved in March, 2022.

• Salt Lake Tribune Monday, Mar. 20, 2023

  Why does Logan have 'the worst wintertime air' on the Wasatch Front?

  Logan • Utahns are no strangers to bad air quality, and this year’s cold winter has caused plenty of days with terrible air. But in the winter months, the air quality in Cache Valley is particularly bad, even though it has a fraction of the population of other counties along the Wasatch Front.

  So why does the county have worse winter air than elsewhere in Utah?

  There are a few factors, according to Randy Martin, an associate research professor at Utah State University’s Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

• Deseret News Saturday, Mar. 18, 2023

  3 years after Magna quake, here's how Utah's preparing for bigger one

  Brady Cox's career in civil engineering and earthquake engineering has taken him all over the world in the past 20 years. He's traveled from Utah to places like New Zealand, Turkey, Peru, Japan and Haiti studying earthquake damage and doing earthquake reconnaissance.

  "(I) Always kind of had that thought that I would like to return to Utah and try and do more for the citizens of Utah — for my home state — to encourage better earthquake preparedness in terms of engineering design and construction," said Cox.

  Two and a half years ago, Cox returned to his home state, where he now works as a professor of civil engineering at Utah State University and serves as a leading earthquake expert.

• Yahoo Friday, Mar. 17, 2023

  NASA Announces Future Launch for USU-Led Space Weather Mission

  Logan, Utah, March 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NASA announced that the launch of the Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory and College of Science-led Atmospheric Waves Experiment, or AWE, is scheduled for December 2023. The NASA-funded instrument will launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to the International Space Station.

  AWE Principal Investigator Dr. Michael Taylor from USU’s College of Science leads a team of scientists that will provide new details about how the weather on Earth interacts with, and affects, space weather. To do that, the AWE instrument, measuring about 54 centimeters by one meter and weighing less than 57 kilograms, will peer into Earth’s upper atmosphere from an orbit of about 400 kilometers above to provide unprecedented images of Earth’s gravity waves as they rise through the mesopause, the mesosphere’s upper boundary, and into other parts of the ionosphere.