Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Utah teacher training school by the citizens of Cedar City.

Recently named a Top Ten Best Value in America by Consumer's Digest, the university's enrollment is 6,859 students as of Fall semester 2005, with 223 faculty members teaching in five colleges and two schools:

• College of Computing, Integrated Engineering & Technology
• College of Education
• College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• College of Performing & Visual Arts
• College of Science

• School of Business
• School of Continuing & Professional Studies

Southern Utah University currently draws students from 45 states, 25 foreign countries, and all of Utah's 29 counties. Of the total enrollment, 57 percent are women and 43 percent are men. About 70 percent of all students live on campus or near the campus. The student-faculty ratio is 22 to 1. The university awards Associate Degrees, Bachelor's Degrees, and Master's Degrees.

The university's first building, built in 1898, remains part of campus, and is affectionately known as Old Main. The university also boasts the legend of Old' Sorrel, a horse who is said to have assisted the citizens in building the school in record-high snow. A statue of the horse is located in front of the Centrum special events center, on the west side of campus. Consistent with its heritage of educating educators, one in three graduates have an education degree.

The school also has a loose affiliation with the Utah Shakespearean Festival, which uses university theaters during the summer break. SUU hosts the Utah Summer Games each summer in the Eccles Coliseum.

During its history, the school has been known as Branch Normal School (1897–1913), Branch Agricultural College (1913–1953), College of Southern Utah (1953–1969) and Southern Utah State College (1969–1990).

Athletics

The university's sports teams are known as the Thunderbirds. The colors are red and white. Teams compete in Division I-AA in football (Great West Football Conference) and in Division I in other sports (Mid-Continent Conference).

External links

• Official website
• Official athletics website
• Utah Shakespearean Festival official website
• Utah Summer Games official website
• UtahCollegeHousing.com SUU Off-Campus housing database

Universities and colleges in Utah