I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but UVSC/UVCC/UTC alumni are everywhere! Last week I had to take my car to Gene Harvey service department in American Fork because it was making a different engine sound. I dropped off the car after being told that I could call them for a shuttle rider to retrieve the car when it was finished.
So, six hours later, I called Gene Harvey and requested a shuttle to pick me up from UVSC and take me back to the dealership. At 5:00 I met the Gene Harvey shuttle and driver in the Admin building parking lot. We exchanged pleasantries and of course, he wanted to know what I did for UVSC. Then he mentioned that he attended the Trade Tech long ago.
“You’re an alumni!” I announced to him. “And one of the alumni we are most wanting to find, one of our UTC alumni.” I quickly got his name and address and will make sure he is entered into the database. But, of course, that was only the beginning of our conversation about his experiences at UVSC.
Paul Jasperson enrolled in drafting courses at the Provo Campus after graduation from high school. Once he started taking classes at UTC, he switched to auto body classes, which he put to good use throughout his career. However, he had one incident in class that almost made him famous or infamous, depending on one’s view.
He was in a welding class, working busily away at arc welding one piece of metal to another. Next to his work station was a garbage can and window draperies. Suddenly he was interrupted from his work by other class members who informed him that the class room was on fire. He looked up to see that the draperies and the trash in the can were burning, probably started by sparks from his welding. The class quickly put the fire out, and things returned to normal, but Paul’s created a reputation for himself that was remembered long after.
We had a great ride back to the dealership and once again, I was reminded that UVSC alumni are everywhere, especially in here in Utah County. However, I’ve traveled quite a bit since coming here, and I’ve met UVSC alumni almost everywhere I’ve gone. From now on, I’ll be writing about them, so you can share my experiences too.
Jacob Sommer said
Alumni everywhere? No kidding. Even in Nevada, where I just opened my law office for private practice. A recent feature in the local newspaper helped to kick things off, and my telephone hasn’t stopped ringing since. My time at UVSC (class of ‘03) prepared me well for law school and beyond. I could not have done so well if my professors at UVSC had not helped me to dig deep and reach my potential. That is why I check back with regularity, and that is why I love to see the great developments UVSC has made, and is making.
Go Wolverines!