I've known Pres. Sorensen all my life. First as our Ward Bishop as a young child. As my Fathers good long time friend. And as President of this Institution. A wonderful man. A man with vision.
When ever his name came up I remembered this story he once told: His favorite color was red...that was the color of the tail lights of his childrens cars driving away after picking up the Grand kids. We all love our Grand kids. But it is nice when they go. LOL
He will be missed
Mike Guymon |
President Wilson Sorenson welcomed me to the then Utah Technical College in 1977 as a new faculty member in the Nursing Department. I was privileged to serve under him for the next 5 years. I always appreciated his warmth and friendliness then, and throughout the years as I would see him from time to time. He was always the gentleman, a great leader, and will be missed greatly. He started the momentum that has carried this institution through so much growth and achievement we have today! Thank you, Wilson!
Julie Musselman |
I was able to take care of Wilson the last couple months of his life and he truly is an amazing person! I am grateful for the opportunity to meet him and take care of him.
Amanda Orme |
Wilson was a great educational leader for Utah and Utah Valley. It was very clear to me that during the 36 years Wilson served as president, he established the organizational culture of innovation, hard work, and collaboration that has served UVU so well.
Wilson was a true pioneer and one of a kind that will be greatly missed. I'll even miss his goofy humor!
William Sederburg |
Wilson was a true educator, and a man of incredible vision, tenacity, and devotion. I met and consulted with Wilson regularly throughout the 14 years I was fortunate enough to walk in his footsteps at Utah Valley, and I always respected and valued his knowledge, judgment, experience, and total commitment to students.
A university, especially one as dynamic and successful as Utah Valley University, is the product of the hard work of scores and scores of people, but there is no single individual more crucial to its creation and development than Wilson Sorenson. What a man and what a legacy. He was the champion of bringing public higher education to the people of Utah County. He was the father the of the campus. He was,and will always be, The President.
Kerry Romesburg |
Wilson was always the best person to talk to. As a certified nursing assistant, I helped take care of Wilson while he was in rehabilitation. Many times during my shift I would just go to his room and talk with him about his experiences. Many times he made me laugh with his thoughts. When he wanted to pulled up in bed he would say 'Up through the wall!" that was some of the moments that I will never forget about him.
Be in peace Wilson.
Jonatan De Oliveira |
When I was hired as the CTE director I was told that Wilson Sorenson expressed concerned that a woman might not keep his vision alive of vocational training at UVU.
I sought out and met President Sorenson. I assured him I was keenly appreciative of the role he played in the history of UVU and told him that I was ready to learn from the best.
It was a sincere pleasure to visit with him and I am honored that our conversation ended with his blessing and support of me to assist in keeping the vision of his legacy.
Thank you President Sorenson for planting the seeds of opportunity.
Susan Thackeray |
I have wonderful memories of UTC/UVCC/UVSC. . .and many of them include President Sorensen. He was such a gentle giant. One special memory is the night he invited the Student Counsel to introduce the school song that he had commissioned to be written for UTC. I can still sing the original version. Many years ago (probably around 1980) I was privileged to travel in a van with him and three other colleagues to a conference in Colorado. We enjoyed hours of stimulating conversation and lots of laughs. He had such a delightful wit. I remember he joked about making me get out in Levan ('leave Ann'). He was a mentor and a friend. I was blessed to have taken part in his 'Miracle.'
Ann Richardson |
I was privileged to meet President Sorensen just a few years ago at his home. His home was a reflection of his love for our university, Utah Valley, and also his love for the trades, the students, and education in general. His passion for education remained strong to the very end and he loved to share his stories. He left a great legacy that we are a part of, and he will be missed by all of us. My deepest sympathy to his family, and my thankfulness for having known such a great man.
Karen Olsen |
Wilson Sorensen’s legacy is UVU. His visionary leadership positioned UVU for success in meeting the educational needs of the region. His passion for a quality student learning experience influenced the design of the campus. His caring ways endeared him to all he met. And, his sense of humor was delightful—I still have my "quarter pounder" and "5 piece chicken meal" wooden trinkets as mementos to Wilson’s clever ways. Thank you Wilson!
Cameron Martin |
A remarkable visionary, Wilson Sorensen started an educational legacy in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The community has loved Wilson Sorenson and supported the many faces of Utah Valley University throughout the years. It was always a pleasure for me to work with Wilson. We even came from the same home area - Deseret, UT, and we shared common friends and interests.
Elaine Englehardt |
For the past eight years, it has been my privilege to be the campus' liaison for President Emeritus Wilson Sorensen. It was my pleasure to see that Wilson was invited to Institution's events and in many cases was the unofficial chauffeur to many of the functions on campus. Wilson always had a new story to tell me and I learned so much history about UVU beginnings on those excursions in the car. I have lost a dear friend.
Nancy L Smith |
Wilson Sorensen was such a great man and UVU would not be here today without his leadership and vision. Our hearts go out to his family with gratefulness for the legacy he left us with.
Ray Walker |
Every once in a while there is an individual who has the kind of vision and energy to create something of grand and unique significance. UVU is an institution of just such significance and Wilson Sorensen is that rare, creative superman who, as much as anyone, helped make it so. What a marvelous legacy he leaves. He will be dearly, dearly missed.
Matthew Holland |
When I think of Pres. Sorenson, I am reminded of the many large, magnificent trees planted all over campus. There is a picture, taken long ago when the Orem campus was new, of Wilson standing beside a sapling on the slope above the Business Building. Now that tree and its companions form one of the most majestic shade-covered walks on campus. Pres. Sorenson planted much more than trees but to me they symbolize the reach of his efforts and the lasting influence he has had on the development of this institution,the students both past and future, those of us who work here, the community and the state. I will always be appreciative of what Wilson Sorenson started, accomplished, and supported.
Bonnie Henrie |
Though I didn't get to spend a lot of time with Wilson, when I was with him he was always very kind and gracious. His love for family, and helping the community always seemed to be his foremost thought. He will be missed, but we will remember him always.
Will McKinnon |
When the Sorensen Student Center re-opened after the last expansion, I got to pick President Sorensen up and bring him to the event. It was amazing to meet him and hear his love & dedication for UVU and the local area. I had heard so many good things about him, it was incredible to meet the living legend.
Rebeka Grulich |
I met President Sorensen in 1972 when I came to the then UTC/P. Over the years, I have admired his administrative style, his vision for advancing applied technology education, and his forsight in purchasing the 185 acres in Orem that ultimately lead us today's UVU campus. On the personal side, it was fun to see his dry sense of humor that always ended in this big smile. He was a great man, visionary, and Leader!
Doug Warner |
President Sorensen was wonderful to work with as we digitized his historic photographs of UVU in the library. These photographs are a testament to all his fine work over the years, and show how far we have come.
Michael Freeman |
President Sorensen embodied the heart and soul of UVU. His love and generosity will always be an example on how to treat others.
Dr. Bob Rasmussen
Dean of Students |
I feel so blessed to have been able to spend time with Wilson in the last few years. What a lovely and gracious man he was. As an alumni I will always be grateful to him for his vision, drive, courage and persistence in creating the school of his dreams, which is now my school too. Wilson truly was the man behind the miracle of Utah Valley University.
Jeri Allphin |
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with President Sorensen when he was on campus for the signing of the bill making UVSC into a university. He was wonderful - a completely honest, kind and dedicated human being. The work he did in building UVU from a small trades school into a college boggles the mind. This good man influenced and helped so many others. He was a miracle and he created a miracle in Utah Valley!
Kathi Hill |
Dear family members of Wilson Sorensen,
From all of us working at the Center for Engaged Learning at Utah Valley University, we send to you our deepest sympathies at the passing of Wilson. His influence as an educator and as an individual has touched the lives of thousands, including ours. Our program would not exist with out his vision and persistence. His legacy is one of true engagement and care for individual students, faculty, staff and community members.
Sincerely,
Jack R. Christianson, Dphil
Special Assistant to the President for Engaged Learning
Utah Valley University |
As former editor of the alumni magazine, I have many fond memories of working with Wilson on various articles and institutional publications. Two standout memories follow:
Once, when interviewing Wilson for a magazine article, I was greeted at his home with the warmest of receptions. Wilson was dressed in the sharpest of attire and rehearsed to me, and often in tears, his history with the college (including challenges and triumphs) and his passion for seeing it through years of growth. He was impassioned about university status and the bright future that all can foresee for UVU, and he remained determined to lobby for the continuation of trades education and open enrollment.
Second is the memory of Wilson dropping by the PR office whenever visiting campus. He'd drop in to say hello and also to see if he could be of help in any way. I loved this about Wilson. He remained eager to be involved and to always be of assistance.
I grew to love Wilson and to work to emulate his foundational philosophy for what has grown to be Utah Valley University - that anyone who wants to improve their circumstances can do so by enrolling and receiving the richest of educational opportunities.
Melynda Thorpe Burt |
I consider Wilson Sorensen a great visionary and a good friend. He was preaching UVU when "UVU wasn't cool." He had to bring nearly all of the legislature in line with his vision as they kicked and screamed and proclaimed that Trade Tech would never amount to anything, and the state shouldn't waste its precious resources on "that" school. He persisted and fought and finally was able to acquire the Orem property where UVU is today. This campus stands as a monument to him and his tenacity. We lost a legend when Wilson died. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time.
Val Hale |
Wilson was such a great example of a servant leader. He was kind, generous, determined, hard-working, principled, and visionary. But, what I will remember most is his wonderful sense of humor. His quick wit remained sharp even in his advancing years Thank you, Wilson, for your commitment to local higher education opportunities for the citizens of Utah Valley. Your legacy will not be forgotten!
Linda Makin |
Great sadness and loss to one of the great people of UVU. President Sorsenson will always live within the realm of UVU
Jeanie Cranney |
UVU Remembers a Legend
