USU's 2024 Luminary Event Set for Aug. 23

Utah State University has announced its Connections Luminary event is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23. This annual tradition will take place at USU’s three residential campuses; Logan, Eastern, and Blanding. Each campus will illuminate the night with lanterns, bringing together students, faculty and the statewide community.

The Connections Luminary event is a celebration of unity, hope and the vibrant spirit of the Aggie community. Students enrolled in USU’s first-year Connections course will light lanterns that are a replica of the Old Main tower and engage in a procession symbolizing the beginning of their education and journey at USU.

“The Luminary procession gets our new students thinking about their goal of being a USU graduate right from the outset of their college experience,” said Harrison Kleiner, a philosophy professor and the vice provost who oversees the Connections program. “To help them achieve their goals, the Connections course connects students to faculty, peer mentors, and resources that will help them succeed.”

The evening will conclude with an address from President Elizabeth Cantwell and lighting the A blue on Old Main tower. The Eastern and Blanding campuses will light their versions of the A blue during this time.

Faculty, staff, and the community are invited to attend and welcome the incoming class. The Luminary Event is free and open to the public. Below are details for the Connections Luminary events on the three campuses.

For more information about the Luminary Event, please visit usu.edu/connections or contact Student Orientation & Transition Services at 435-797-0283.

Logan Campus

Arrive on the east side of the Quad at 8 p.m. The events in the Spectrum will be broadcast to a large screen on the Quad. Lanterns will be distributed for attendees to hold as they cheer the new students along the processional route before listening to Cantwell’s speech and lighting the A on Old Main tower blue around 10 p.m.

Blanding Campus

Arrive at the Friendship Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. Lanterns will be distributed, and students and attendees will process to the BAEC for speakers and cultural performances before listening to Cantwell’s speech and lighting the block A blue around 10 p.m.

Eastern Campus

Arrive at 8:30 p.m. in the Geary Events Center. After a short program, lanterns will be distributed, and students and attendees will process to the Fountain Field. The event will conclude in “the pit” with Cantwell’s speech and the Eastern campus version of the lighting of the A blue around 10 p.m.