Utah Valley University (UVU) marked a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate its newest building at Thanksgiving Point. The building’s opening reinforces UVU’s commitment to enhancing educational access and opportunities for Utah County and beyond. The event was attended by university officials, local dignitaries, and community members.

The new facilities will support a range of advanced training programs and features specialized simulation labs for students in the Paramedic, Police Academy, Respiratory Therapy, and Dental Hygiene programs. The building allows faculty to create realistic training scenarios that help students practice and refine their skills in lifelike settings. This includes ICU and home health scenarios, emergency response exercises, and law enforcement training modules, ensuring students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.

In his opening remarks, Tom Sturtevant, Interim Dean of the College of Health and Public Service affirmed, “In these spaces, our faculty provide engaged training and education that lead to essential professional qualifications.”

The expansion also boasts a public Dental Hygiene Clinic that provides free and low-cost oral healthcare services to the local community.

“The new clinic and increased student capacity will enable us to better meet community needs by educating more dental hygienists and providing low-cost dental care services,” said Sue Jackson, Associate Dean of UVU’s College of Health and Public Service.

The building’s design includes a collaborative office suite, intending to foster cooperation among faculty from different disciplines. The modern classrooms and labs replicate professional healthcare and clinical environments with the same equipment found in contemporary medical and dental practices. For Dental Hygiene and Respiratory Therapy students, the facilities enable simulated procedures, giving them realistic clinical practice from day one.

The expanded Thanksgiving Point campus provides greater access to university resources and offers a modern environment tailored to meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students. UVU’s investment at Thanksgiving Point began with its initial acquisition in 2020, followed by this second building to support ongoing educational growth and community engagement in the area.

“Lehi and north Utah County are, without question, great hubs of ideas, innovation, and growth,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of UVU. “As we forge closer partnerships with industry, I am confident that students, families, employers and Utah’s economy will be the clear beneficiaries.”

With this new addition, UVU reaffirms its commitment to providing quality education and supporting students through engaged learning that prepares students for jobs in the local community. The building’s emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and innovative learning opportunities reflects UVU’s dedication to advancing education in healthcare and public service.

Interim Dean Tom Sturtevant speaks at the Lehi ribbon cutting ceremony.

 

UVU paramedic student and South Salt Lake firefighter Cody Calley shares his experience with those gathered.

 

UVU paramedic students receive hands-on training in one of the new Lehi learning labs.

 

Guests enjoy the reception as part of the Thanksgiving Point ribbon cutting event.

 

President Tuminez talks to Dental Hygiene students in the new lab at Thanksgiving Point.