Removing Harry Reid's name from SUU Building #4

COMM 1270, Eric Young #4
Dian W. Robinson

When I heard the news and read The Spectrum about the controversy surrounding SUU President Scott Wyatt's decision to name the Outdoor Engagement Center after Harry Reid, it reminded me of a familiar, similar  news story back in 1989.  James Sorenson offered to donate $15 million  to the University of Utah in exchange to have the  University of Utah School of Medicine named after him.  The circumstances between the two stories are different.  However, the decisions made by both University Presidents were similar in nature. I will further explain.

Back in 1989, then University of Utah President Chase Peterson persuaded James Sorenson (second wealthiest man in Utah next to Huntsman)  to donate $15 million dollars of stock to the University.  When the news hit the street,  President Peterson got flack from the community, from students and faculty.  It became an editorial free-for-all, even went as far to threaten to circulate a petition to remove the President's offer.  After weeks of  controversy, Sorenson, in anger, removed his offer to the University of Utah.  Sorenson became recluse from news sources for the next 14 years.  

Interestingly enough,  after Southern Utah University President Scott Wyatt announced his decision to have Harry Reid's name on the Outdoor Engagement Center,  concerned citizens lobbied for  Reid's removal, and won. In fact, $40,000 in pledges were raised by City Councilman Paul Cozzen.  This concern  was shared by the majority of not ony Cedar City residents, but also SUU alumni, and others.

The editorial written by Leigh Washburn in the Spectrum September 27th, "What were they thinking at university?" is cogent. The  article brought to light perhaps a more defined   perspective as the reason for offering this title to Harry Reid in the first place. Leigh is a Past Chair of the Iron County Democrates "Shortly, after the Reid Center was named, the legislature passed HB148, demanding the turnover of Utah's federal lands to state control.  Perhaps SUU offices worried about funding cuts and scaled the center's purpose to accommodate the far right legislature.  I wish SUU had been more candid and more courageous. All that this has accomplished is to make us look like fools."

From what I read,  President Wyatt was torn between potential alumni donations and expectations  Harry and his friends would provide for funding for  the new building. Also, could have been a possible 'hidden agenda.'  The bottom line, the President made a hard decision once consensus was reached.

I feel some compassion for these two University Presidents.  Unfortunately,  because of their high ranking positions and visibility in the community and State, their blunder will probably become part of their published history.

There are lessons we all can learn from the highly publicized decisions. We all make mistakes in life, some larger than others.  I have often said, we shouldn't judge others by the mistakes made, but what is done to correct those mistakes, and if we have grown from our mistakes.    I wonder how our histories will turn out and by whose perspective.