OREM, Utah ­­— The Gary R. Herbert Institute of Public Policy received official approval from the Utah Valley University (UVU) Board of Trustees to become an academic center at UVU in the board’s March meeting.

The Institute, headed by its namesake, is a self-funded, non-partisan academic, public policy center that promotes civic engagement, state’s rights, and free enterprise. It will focus on helping students become familiar with and active participants in politics and public service, and to be a voice for sound political thought, a facilitator of converging views, and an educator of the next generation of public policy leaders.

The Institute will be housed on the second floor in the new Fugal Gateway Building, in what is called, “Herbert Hall,” where the legacy of Herbert’s nearly 31-years of community service will be highlighted, including Herbert’s personal papers and artifacts accumulated during his service to Utah.

“Before becoming what UVU is today, I used to catch lizards on the land that is now the Orem campus,” said former Gov. Gary Herbert. “I never dreamed that my name would be on an institute, especially one that will do so much good for the next generation of leaders. I am humbled by the Trustee’s and President Tuminez’s confidence in me to move this important program forward.”

The focus of the Herbert Institute will be on issues facing Utah Valley and UVU’s service area. It will be a place of hosted lectures and candidate forums that will be home to the local, state, and congressional “Herbert Interns.” The Institute will also partner with UVU Faculty on research on relevant issues and topics.

“Gov. Herbert has lived an exemplary life as a public servant and having him on our campus is a great honor,” said UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez. “The resources that he brings to the university will enrich the learning and research of our students and faculty. His influence in the state and nationally will help give our students access and exposure to political leaders and influencers who will provoke our students to think deeply about what democracy and public service mean.”

The Herbert Institute joins other specific academic units at the University such as the Center for Constitutional Studies, the Center for Excellence & Innovation, the National Security Studies, the Center for the Study of Ethics, the Women’s Success Center, and the Center for Social Impact.

Herbert said, “One of the things that I am most excited about is the opportunity to teach and help prepare our young people for the leadership responsibilities which they will have very soon.”

Herbert was born and raised in Utah County. He attended Utah Technical College as a concurrent enrollment student and Brigham Young University. Governor Herbert and his wife, Jeanette, are the proud parents of six children and 17 grandchildren.

 

About the Gary R. Herbert Institute of Public Policy

The Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy is a non-partisan public policy institute at Utah Valley University. The Institute engages students and the community in current public policy issues and authors policy papers focused on relevant topics including states’ rights and free-market economics. The Herbert Institute supports UVU’s mission by providing the community and students a unique opportunity to participate in public policy conversations, internships, and events that honor and highlight Governor Herbert’s 31-year legacy of community service.