Assembling The Most Incredible Group Ever!

I have been working like crazy for several months to pull together the most incredible group of business of business leaders who are both wildly successful and genuinely humble, great people in order to form a National Advisory Board for the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University, the largest University in the State of Utah.  When President Holland first approached me to be Chairman of this Board and asked me to assemble a group of the finest individuals, with exceptional business experience I knew exactly the people to start calling.  At first several people questioned why I would commit so much time to a University I have never attended and have no obvious emotional tie to.  The answer to that is easy – it’s because of the incredible number of students whose lives can be impacted at UVU. You see, over the last several years Utah Valley University (UVU) experienced explosive growth which has led to UVU becoming the largest University in the State of Utah, with over 35,000 students. And over the next 25 years UVU is projected to grow to 65,000 students, which would make UVU the largest public university in the United States. Not only that but UVU’s Woodbury School of Business (WSB) has also become largest Business School in the State of Utah, with just over 5,000 students.  And 38% of the Students are first-generation college students in their family – WOW – what a fantastic opportunity serving on this Board at UVU presents for someone to build a legacy that can go on for generations to come!

Tonight was the official kick-off of our National Advisory Board Conference and while there are still several others I am excited to invite to join this Board, I am truly humbled at what a phenomenal group we have started with!  It is a true blessing to serve with so many people I love and respect so dearly and who all have a sincere desire to serve and to build a legacy for generations to come!

The Bridge Builder  (by Will Allen Dromgoole)

An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

I look forward to adding many more great leaders to this board who also have the desire to build a bridge for these marvelous young people at UVU.

~Amy Rees Anderson

6 Comments

  • Dennis J. Pitocco says:

    Outstanding – congratulations, Amy. Do reach out if I can help!

  • Jacki Zehner says:

    i am so excited to be part of this with you Amy. Thank you for your incredible leadership.

  • Scott Wood says:

    Amy, what a great effort you and the National Advisory Board are making for the future of Utah. Thanks!

  • Norm Wright says:

    As Dean of the Woodbury School of Business, I am genuinely grateful to Amy and all of the board members who sincerely desire to use their experience, energy, and means to build something special at UVU. I look forward to working closely with such great people in service to students who are seeking to change their trajectory. Thank you!

  • Patrick Milligan says:

    I cannot think of a more perfect, living example of the famous Kevin Spacey quote that “If you’re lucky enough to do well, it’s your responsibility to send the elevator back down.” Thank you Amy for leading is incredible group of bridge builders! Countless students will look back with gratitude after crossing the bridge and more importantly, will look to do as you and the newly formed WSB National Advisory Board have done.

  • TC Krueger says:

    This is awesome! You are an inspiration!

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