University Marketing & Communications: Layton Shumway | 801-863-6863 | LShumway@uvu.edu 

Utah Valley University continues its rapid growth as it strives to meet the needs of the community and the state. That growth has been made possible with the help of many partnerships with local and state legislators and public servants, including former Utah Speaker of the House Rebecca D. Lockhart, who died in 2015.

In honor of Lockhart’s contributions and long friendship with the institution, UVU will hold a ribbon-cutting for a new athletic venue named the Rebecca D. Lockhart Arena on Jan. 21 at 3 p.m., prior to the UVU women’s basketball team taking on CSU Bakersfield.

“Becky was one of UVU’s strongest champions,” said UVU President Matthew S. Holland. “She provided a powerful example of how one person can make a difference. Her tireless service in support of UVU and the state of Utah will impact generations to come. We are proud to continue that legacy by naming this arena in her honor.”

The new Lockhart Arena is located in the Physical Education Building on UVU’s Orem campus. It includes a nearly 2,000-seat venue, where the Wolverine women’s volleyball and wrestling teams will compete. The arena also includes retractable bleachers with backs on all seats, a new athletic track surface, and new storage areas and restrooms. The venue will also be used for UVU commencement and convocation exercises and will be available to rent for community activities.

“It is an honor and privilege to have Becky’s name on this arena at Utah Valley University,” said Stan Lockhart. “This facility is about community, and Becky was all about community. We hope Becky’s accomplishments will inspire students and particularly young women to achieve their hopes and dreams. Over her 16 years of legislative service, UVU went from being a community college to a state college to a university, now the largest institution of higher education in Utah and Becky was a part of that growth and maturation. Two of her children have attended UVU. On behalf of all of her family and Utah County legislative colleagues, we express our gratitude for this enduring legacy of our wife, mother, daughter, sister, colleague and friend.”

First elected to office in 1998, Lockhart became Utah’s first female Speaker of the House in 2010. Lockhart was a tireless champion for UVU and was instrumental in helping UVU gain university status in 2008. She led the efforts in the Legislature’s appropriation of $54 million for UVU’s new Classroom Building. During the 2014 legislative session she championed the acute equity initiative that resulted in $21 million directed to UVU, correcting a significant and historical funding imbalance that had developed. Her leadership was especially an inspiration to women in Utah. She was actively involved in UVU’s Utah Women & Leadership Project and co-chaired the Women in the Economy Commission with Jennifer Seelig, Utah’s former House Minority Leader.

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