Utah Valley University mourns the passing of philanthropist, entrepreneur, and longtime friend of the university Ira A. Fulton, who died Aug. 21, 2026, at age 94.
Philanthropist and longtime UVU advocate helped strengthen the university during its transition to university status and expand opportunities for students
Utah Valley University mourns the passing of philanthropist, entrepreneur, and longtime friend of the university Ira A. Fulton, who died Aug. 21, 2026, at age 94.
Fulton’s belief in the transformative power of education and his commitment to Utah Valley helped shape UVU during a pivotal chapter in the university’s history. As Utah Valley State College pursued university status, Fulton advocated for the institution and helped champion private support for its transition. His vision and generosity strengthened the university at a defining moment and helped expand educational opportunities for students.
Together with his late wife, Mary Lou Fulton, he provided significant support for UVU’s library, the Roots of Knowledge stained-glass mural, and the Center for Constitutional Studies. Fulton also established the university’s first endowed chair, strengthening UVU’s academic foundation and its ability to attract and support outstanding faculty.
In recognition of the Fultons’ extraordinary generosity and commitment to education, the university named the Ira A. and Mary Lou Fulton Library in their honor.
“Ira Fulton believed in UVU, but more importantly, he believed in our students and what education could make possible in their lives,” said Kyle Reyes, vice president of Institutional Advancement at UVU. “He and Mary Lou helped open doors that thousands of students have walked through. I am deeply grateful for Ira’s friendship, his vision, and his willingness to invest in people. His impact is part of UVU’s story, and it will continue to be part of the stories of our students and their families for generations to come.”
The Fulton Library serves tens of thousands of students each year as a place to study, conduct research, collaborate, and access the resources they need to succeed. For UVU students, Fulton’s legacy is ultimately measured in the opportunities his investments made possible. His partnership helped UVU grow at a transformative moment and contributed to an institution where students could pursue higher education and prepare for meaningful futures in work and life.
The Fultons’ philanthropy extends across higher education, healthcare, research, and community organizations throughout the West and beyond. At Arizona State University, their support advanced engineering, teacher education, scholarships, and other initiatives, reflected in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation. They also supported academic programs at Brigham Young University and organizations including the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, Barrow Neurological Institute, the YMCA, Boy Scouts of America, and American Indian Services.
UVU is deeply grateful for Ira A. Fulton’s profound impact on its students, alumni, faculty, staff, and surrounding community.
UVU extends its heartfelt condolences to the Fulton family and all those who knew and loved Ira Fulton.
