School's namesake featured in SL Trib today

Today, the Salt Lake Tribune published an interview with our school’s namesake, Jon Huntsman Sr., as he was getting ready to dedicate a $100 million expansion at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City. Throughout the interview, Huntsman speaks “candidly about the state of the nation’s economy, the effect the downturn is having on charitable giving and the role he sees private enterprise playing in the battle to help relieve human suffering around the world.”

Some highlights:

• “…When we talk about the (downturn in the) economy, I have to ask myself what does that mean? It means I will have to raise more money. I have to give more money and find more avenues to tap into to keep this facility and others going and productive. “

• “We’ve been building our business for 41 years and now produce 12,000 products. We help make plastics that go into airliners. They replace metal parts so the planes are more fuel efficient and safer. We are one of the world’s largest producers of soaps and detergents to make the world cleaner and people happier and more beautiful.”

• “I’m totally lost as to why people don’t either give their money away like we are trying to do to help those who are suffering, or investing it in something that will create jobs.”

• “My wife and I started contributing to charitable causes when we were first married and only making $300 a month. As we were able to make more money we were able to continue to give to charity, while at the same time keeping our businesses sufficiently supplied with capital for growth and expansion. We’ve been able to give over $1 billion away, and our business is stronger than ever.”

To read the full interview, click here.

We did it!

What is it that we did? We raised $16,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, beating last years total of $9,000!

Business Week 2011 was a great week, and the Huntsman School enjoyed being in the spotlight. The crowning moment was when Scot Marsden, our student senator, presented Jon Huntsman with a giant check for $16,000. Mr. Huntsman and Mrs. Huntsman were both deeply touched, and Mrs. Huntsman even went to the microphone and made an impromptu speech thanking the school for its support. We have witnessed the great work Mr. Huntsman has done to make the world a better place, and we would be selfish not to find ways to raise money for one of his favorite causes.

Just before the check was handed over to Mr. Huntsman, a video was shown depicting students in the Huntsman School who have benefitted from the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The video, made by Huntsman students Sterling Morris and Brent Meacham, was top quality and deserves to be seen by anyone who hasn't seen it yet.

Thanks to everyone who made Business Week a success, and here's to hoping we beat $16,000 in 2012!

Lingering memories from Business Week 2010

As you hopefully know by now, Business Week is just about to start. Huntsman students, faculty and staff have worked diligently to make sure the week will be filled with enjoyable activities and opportunities to network.

My fondest memory from last year’s Business Week was watching Skyler Jenks (our then-Business Senator) and Nick Sokolik (president of USU chapter of Sigma Chi fraternity) present Jon Huntsman, Sr., with a check for the money that the school had raised during the week (pictured at right). The money was donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation to help fund cancer research. Even though it wasn’t a secret that any fees associated with Business Week activities were to be donated to cancer research, it became more concrete when I personally witnessed Mr. Huntsman’s satisfaction at receiving the fruits of our hard work.

A couple of days before the aforementioned moment, I spoke with several runners who had just completed the Last Dash relay race. Many of them had just run 10 miles and were exhausted. But whenever I brought up the fact that their application fee was going to be used to fund cancer research, their faces lit up as if they forgot what they had just put their bodies through.

So as we get ready for Business Week 2011, remember that it’s about more than just you getting to participate in fun activities or establish networking connections (although those are extremely important). Remember our school’s namesake and his message or helping others. 

- Connor Child

$1 Texas Roadhouse Sandwiches are a Hit

The line for the sandwiches goes all the way from the bottom of Old Main to the top. Over 400 sandwiches have already been sold to benefit the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Thanks Aggies!

--Jackie Schwartz

I Can't Wait!

Huntsman students are often faced with a rigorous combination of homework, reading assignments, papers, and group projects. Add to this the fact that 75% of Huntsman students work 10+ hours per week and 86% provide volunteer service every week while in school. It's clear that Huntsman students work and study hard, play hard, and with any remaining time, sleep hard.

As a current student, I usually sleep deeply at the end of a long day but last night was an exception. I couldn't stop thinking about all the great activities that are planned for Business Week and the benefit we can be for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. It seems like there is enough variety in the events that everyone can find a few they are interested in.

"It's coming; you don't want to miss it; Business Week, 2010." - Sterling Morris