Utah Valley University and Young Living Essential Oils today announced the donation of $4.5 million for the construction of a new Alumni Center on the UVU Orem Campus. The groundbreaking ceremony for the 31,401-square-foot, state-of-the-art center took place at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, near the building site.

“Investing in education is the work of individuals, families, taxpayers, leaders, and our whole community,” said Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez, president of Utah Valley University. “As we combine our resources and commitments of time and energy, we will build a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable society. I am grateful to partners who share this vision with UVU.”

Young Living’s dedication to improving the well-being of all people aligns with UVU’s core values. UVU is committed to encouraging all students to “come as you are,” and remains devoted to supporting all students as they pursue certificates and degrees.

“This significant gift will be truly transformational as Institutional Advancement seeks to scale its operations to meet the enormous growth of the university,” said Scott Cooksey, vice president of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the UVU Foundation. “The events space will allow our esteemed alumni a place on campus to gather and also serve as a dynamic venue to attract and host international and national dignitaries and board members.”

The UVU Young Living Alumni Center will provide a space to establish connections. The new venue will be the primary location for all UVU executive functions, ceremonies, and meetings, including the Presidential Lecture Series, legislative leadership meetings, and an array of other high-profile campus events. The center will be a hub of campus activity and the central location devoted to advancement and alumni operations, including a state-of-the-art events center.

“We are thrilled to be a member of the UVU community and hope this gift will provide countless wonderful experiences for alumni and others who come to campus to enjoy these facilities," said Mary Young, CEO of Young Living. "What impresses me and truly sets UVU apart from other universities not only in the state, but in the world, is its unwavering commitment to providing a diverse student body with opportunities to advance themselves and their family through education. We look forward to the tremendous good this school will have on the community of students for years to come.” 

The UVU Young Living Alumni Center will be positioned just off I-15. The building will be a high-impact addition to the campus landscape. Utah Valley University welcomes thousands of visitors each year, including students, families, alumni, event attendees, community members, dignitaries, and other guests from around the world. The building is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2022. For more information on the building and its progress, please visit the UVU Groundbreaking page.