Established in 1991, the Utah Valley University (UVU) President’s Scholarship Ball is dedicated to supporting the university’s presidential scholarship program. This merit-based scholarship offers full tuition to outstanding students committed to pursuing their degrees at UVU. In the 2024–2025 academic school year, more than 300 students benefited from the financial assistance provided by the scholarship. The continued success of this event is made possible by the unwavering generosity of those who support UVU.
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the 35th annual President’s Scholarship Ball at Utah Valley University.
Mister Rogers, the host of a popular children’s television series, once said: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” We have gathered tonight as a community, joined in the mission of helping every student at UVU succeed in life and work. Thank you for being our helpers! You have encircled our students these many years in the arms of love. You have mentored and guided, and donated your time, talent, and resources.
UVU educates and graduates more students than any other public institution in Utah because we do not write off human potential. The next generation of Utah’s leaders and givers, I believe, will have once been Wolverines. UVU alumni embody our core values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results – values that will guide them towards a lifetime of success.
Recently, in a moment of solitude and reflection, the message of “you have never been alone” clearly came to my heart and mind. Like UVU, my entire life has been a story of helpers and angels. My gratitude to them is boundless, as is my gratitude to all of you this evening.
EverGRATEFUL,
Astrid S. Tuminez
President, Utah Valley University
President Astrid S. Tuminez
Jeanette Bennett, UVU Board of Trustees, Master of Ceremonies
UVU Culinary Arts Institute
Chelsea & Casey Baugh
Pianist - Hilary Demske
Clarinet - Berkeley Price
"Sleeping Beauty"
Choreographed by Christa St. John and Rex Tilton
“The Gift That Gives Back”
Isabella Henao — “Feeling Good” (Nina Simone)
Isabella Henao ‘24
Kyle A. Reyes, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, CEO of UVU Foundation
Pianist - Hilary Demske
Clarinet - Berkeley Price
“Awakening” — Choreographed by Tara Boyd
“In This World” (Original Work)
President Astrid S. Tuminez
Menu B will be served to guests who requested it during event registration.
Hilary Demske, a Steinway Artist and internationally performing pianist, holds degrees from Juilliard, Peabody, Munich’s Hochschule für Musik, and the University of Michigan. A UVU faculty member since 2009, she received the Steinway Top Teacher Award and released the acclaimed Journey for One. She loves mentoring students and believes their artistic potential is limitless.
Berkeley Price is Principal Clarinetist of the Salt Lake Symphony and an Adjunct Music Instructor at UVU. He holds a DMA and Master’s from Eastman and a Bachelor’s from BYU. A dedicated performer and educator, he is known for his expressive artistry and commitment to developing the next generation of musicians.
Isabella Henao is a UVU musical theatre student whose powerhouse vocals and dynamic stage presence have taken her from UVU’s campus to national stages. After winning Wings of Voice on The Rehearsal, she was featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, showcasing the kind of talent UVU helps cultivate. Blending musical theatre, rock, jazz, and soul, Isabella is a rising star whose journey reflects the opportunity, creativity, and impact donors make possible at UVU.
Students in UVU’s Repertory Ballet Ensemble refine their artistry through acclaimed classical and contemporary works, collaborations with guest artists, and opportunities that prepare them for professional performance, graduate study, and teaching.
UVU Ballroom Dance Company students train in a variety of styles and choreography, gaining the performance, teaching, and creative skills to thrive as artists and leaders in the world of ballroom dance.
One Voice Children’s Choir is a global youth chior that inspires through music, sharing hope and unity with professional productions, diverse voices, and performances that reach millions worldwide.
It takes
to fully fund one Presidential Scholarship for four years.
If each guest in attendance gives
we could fund an additional full-tuition
Presidential Scholarship for four years!
students received
Presidential Scholarships
during the 2024–25 year.
in Utah have Presidential Scholars.
in Utah have Presidential Scholars.
of Presidential Scholars are juniors or seniors.
of current Presidential Scholars are from Utah County.
is the farthest a Scholar traveled from home to UVU.
have Presidential Scholars.
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Biology
Psychology
This year’s Presidential
Scholars have 86
different majors.
Smith College of Engineering and
Technology
College of Science
Woodbury School of Business
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Health and Public Service
School of the Arts
School of Education
Your contribution to the UVU Presidential Scholarship is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and trailblazers. You are directly impacting the future of Utah and its workforce. With your support, UVU will continue to provide opportunities for Presidential Scholars to achieve their goals and excel in their careers.
In addition to supporting UVU Presidential Scholars, you have the opportunity to give to a college, school, or initiative that has meaning to you.
Your contribution to the UVU Presidential Scholarship is an investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and trailblazers. You are directly impacting the future of Utah and its workforce. With your support, UVU will continue to provide opportunities for Presidential Scholars to achieve their goals and excel in their careers.
Utah Valley University’s Culinary Arts Institute (CAI) is proud to provide premier, hands-on training for aspiring chefs and bakers pursuing excellence in the culinary world. With dynamic classes and a focus on personalized instruction, CAI offers a rich learning environment designed to foster both skill and creativity.
Led by a faculty of accomplished culinary professionals, all certified by the American Culinary Federation, students gain invaluable experience through industry-based education. From culinary fundamentals to advanced techniques, the comprehensive curriculum spans key service areas including customer service, nutrition, sanitation, and menu development.
In addition to running Restaurant Forte, UVU’s on-campus fine dining experience where international cuisine takes center stage, students and faculty are honored each year to showcase their talents by catering the prestigious President’s Scholarship Ball.
Tonight, in the spirit of engaged learning and community celebration, CAI students, guided by expert faculty, have prepared and are serving this evening’s gourmet menu using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We invite you to savor each bite as a testament to their hard work, passion, and the transformative power of education.
Bon appétit! Thank you for supporting the future of culinary excellence at UVU.
The Utah Valley University Foundation is proud to serve as a vital partner in supporting the university’s students. Together, we provide resources and opportunities that help them succeed.
While each of us brings different experiences, we are united in our commitment to students. They are resilient, hardworking, and determined to achieve their dreams. Every action we take as a board is with them in mind.
Through the EverGREEN Campaign, we have seen how philanthropy creates lasting impact: new scholarships that remove barriers, new programs that prepare students for Utah’s workforce, and new facilities that open doors to discovery. Yet there is still much more to be done. Tonight, we come together, EverGRATEFUL for what has been achieved and determined to keep building for the future.
On behalf of the UVU Foundation Board, thank you for your support at this year’s President’s Scholarship Ball. Your generosity transforms lives and strengthens our community.
Thank you,
Nathan Savage
Foundation Board Chair
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University is proud to be a place of opportunity for all who seek an education. Every day, our faculty, staff, and students live out our values of exceptional care, accountability, and results. With more than 48,000 students, UVU is not only Utah’s largest university but also a vital partner in preparing the state’s future workforce.
Tonight’s theme, EverGRATEFUL, reflects the heart of our mission. It embodies the gratitude of students whose lives are transformed through scholarships, as well as the appreciation we feel for the generosity of donors and friends who make those opportunities possible. The impact of this support is clear: 77% of UVU graduates remain in Utah a decade after earning their degrees, contributing to our economy, strengthening communities, and uplifting families.
The EverGREEN Campaign advances the university’s vision by providing scholarships, expanding academic programs, and developing state-of-the-art facilities. Each act of generosity through this campaign creates ripples of impact that extend far beyond campus, shaping both individual lives and our collective future.
As trustees, we are dedicated to championing UVU’s mission and ensuring every student has the support needed to thrive. Tonight, we celebrate the power of education and generosity. We thank you for investing not only in UVU’s students, but in the future of Utah.
Thank you,
Scott Smith
Chair, Board of Trustees
Utah Valley University
