On February 4, the Utah Valley University community gathered to honor influential alumni and advocates.
On February 4, the Utah Valley University (UVU) community gathered to honor influential alumni and advocates. This year's award recipients are Jane F. Rhodes '15, Robert A. Bastian '12, Heather Kahlert '04 and The Kahlert Foundation, Sheldon R. Smith, and Richard J. and Marla A. Linder.
Each awardee embodies the university's mission and has distinguished themselves through their efforts in supporting students and UVU. They were nominated by the UVU Alumni Association Board of Directors or the UVU community and selected by a committee of UVU staff and alumni board members.
UVU Alumni Impact AwardThe UVU Alumni Impact Award honors a UVU alum who exemplifies perseverance, dedication, and leadership. It celebrates their significant impact through success, innovation, or contributions to their field, community, or society.
Jane Rhodes '15 is the chief brand officer of PROLOOK, a Utah-based custom sportswear company she and her husband, Dusty, have built together over three decades. Jane studied business and art at UVU, a combination that became the perfect foundation for her career in brand building and leadership. What left the deepest impression on her was UVU's student-centered culture—a people-first approach that continues to shape how she leads at PROLOOK and shows up in her community.
Today, PROLOOK is a family endeavor, with three of their four children, their son-in-law, and another child's partner all working alongside Jane and Dusty. Their family's connection to the autism community inspired them to create the All In Tournament, now in its sixth year. The tournament's profits benefit autism-related programs and partner with the UVU Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism.
UVU Distinguished Alumni AwardThe UVU Distinguished Alumni Award honors a seasoned UVU graduate who has achieved long-term career success and made significant contributions to their field or community. It celebrates alumni whose accomplishments enhance UVU's reputation and exemplify lasting excellence.
Robert Bastian has lived his whole life in Orem. After graduating from Mountain View High School and serving as a missionary for his church, Robbie enrolled at UVU and earned degrees in music and sound production—diving headfirst into his lifelong passion for music.
After losing his mother to leukemia, Robbie and his family wanted to follow in her footsteps of building up the community. They helped establish the UVU Museum of Art at Lakemount in what was their family home. Robbie now represents both his mother and father in the charitable organizations they each established and serves on the UVU Foundation Board. He is deeply grateful for the positive impact UVU has had on the community and is proud to call himself a Wolverine.
University Partner AwardThe University Partner Award honors a business that exemplifies community-focused innovation, alignment with UVU's mission, and excellence in strategy, employee development, and integrity. It celebrates organizations that enrich both UVU and the broader community.
Heather Kahlert is the executive vice president of The Kahlert Foundation, where she leads philanthropic work across Utah. Since stepping into her role in 2015, Heather has helped her family invest more than $100 million in strengthening communities across the state—expanding healthcare access, supporting youth, empowering veterans, and advancing education.
The foundation recently invested $5.2 million to create the Kahlert Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute at Utah Valley University, giving UVU students the skills they need to thrive in AI-driven industries.
Heather brings a fresh approach to philanthropy, measuring success not in dollars given but in lives impacted. She works closely with hundreds of nonprofit partners each year and serves on numerous boards, including the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, Primary Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Utah, and the UVU Foundation. A graduate of UVU, Heather credits her time at the university with shaping her belief in accessible education, strong community partnerships, and investing in local leadership.
Wilson W. Sorensen Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Wilson W. Sorensen Lifetime Achievement Award honors a UVU employee or volunteer who has demonstrated lifelong dedication to advancing UVU's mission and growth. Named after Wilson W. Sorensen, it recognizes extraordinary, long-term service and impact on the institution.
Prior to his retirement at the end of 2025, Sheldon R. Smith taught accounting at UVU for more than 24 years. He stepped in as department chair when the need arose, though his passion was for teaching. He loved working with students—both those who excelled and those who struggled.
Before coming to UVU, Sheldon taught at Brigham Young University-Hawaii for eight years, serving as department chair and dean of the business school. He received degrees from Brigham Young University and completed his Ph.D. at Michigan State University in 1993.
Besides teaching financial accounting classes at UVU, Sheldon was involved in various areas of research, including tax research related to adoption tax benefits and pedagogical research. He has published accounting poetry and been honored with multiple awards for teaching, research, and service. Sheldon and his wife, Sarah, have five children and three grandchildren. He looks forward to spending more time with them in retirement.
UVU Honorary Alumni AwardThe UVU Honorary Alumni Award honors a non-graduate who exemplifies loyalty, exceptional service, and significant support for UVU's mission. It recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of UVU without being alumni.
Richard Linder is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Xenter, which develops wireless medical and semiconductor technologies, AI tools and software, and diagnostic testing for advanced medical procedures. Over his career, Rich has founded multiple successful medical device companies, including Rubicon Medical (acquired by Boston Scientific) and Coherex Medical (acquired by Johnson & Johnson). He is the founder and chairman emeritus of BioUtah and has served on USTAR's Governing Authority. Rich is listed as an inventor on hundreds of U.S. and international patents and is the recipient of the Utah Governor's Medal for Science & Technology.
Marla Ann Linder studied child behavior and child psychology at Brigham Young University, where she met Rich. They married in 1990 and recently celebrated 35 years together. Marla dedicated her life to raising their five children, three of whom have graduated or are graduating from UVU. She is now the chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the Richard J. and Marla A. Linder Foundation for Family and Children, a new foundation that will support worldwide programs combining scientific research and practical application of successful family principles.
Together, Rich and Marla work with Utah and international university leaders to innovate the science and delivery of medicine.
If you know of an individual or couple who deserves to be recognized, please fill out our nomination form at engage.uvu.edu/alumawards-nom.
If you would like to support the causes the award winners are passionate about, please visit www.uvu.edu/alumni/alumni-awards.html.
