A group of erstwhile students of Utah State University Eastern, formerly the College of Eastern Utah and originally, Carbon College, got together Tuesday to observe the 80th Anniversary of the institution.
Currently there is no alumni association sanctioned by Utah State University, but an informal group has been organized to fill the void. Spokesman Jim Piacitelli said an effort is underway to align an alumni association with the university, but in the meantime the informal group will continue to serve the purpose.
Piacitelli told the group it’s remarkable what early organizers were able to achieve in 1937 in the shadow of the Great Depression, and continuing through World War II. He said, “We represent the generations who have benefited from those early efforts and the mission of the association is to build on that and go forward.”
Those in attendance at Tuesday’s observance ranged in age from 17 to 94. USU Eastern “Eagle” news editor Emma Campbell was the youngest, and former Judge Boyd Bunnell was the oldest. Judge Bunnell began his higher education at Carbon College in 1940, served a stint in the military service during World War II, and then went to law school. He served as district attorney for many years, and then as a district judge in Utah’s 7th judicial district for 18 years. He was an active senior judge for another ten years before taking a full retirement.
Judge Bunnell said the college is, “A prerequisite, depending on what you want to do with your life. I knew in high school that I wanted to be a lawyer and went after it. Advice? When someone asks if I have any advice I tell them, whenever you say to yourself, ‘you know, I ought to do this,’ just do it! Don’t put it off.”
For more information on the USU Eastern Alumni group, contact Jim Piacitelli at 637-1019.
Alumni observe Carbon College’s 80th anniversary
Front row, L-R: Terry Willis, Judge Boyd Bunnell, Don Landavazo, Michelle Rasmussen, Joyce Woodward, Yvonne Young.Standing, L-R: Rick Davis, Mark Jespersen, Amy Knott-Jespersen, Ben Jones, Edward Geary, Judge Craig Bunnell, Allan Young, Kent Young, Jim Piacitelli. Rick Sherman, Sun Advocate Reporter