southern utah university

In this deeply introspective episode of the Winning The Moment Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Larkin, a true Washington County local whose roots run deep in the heart of St. George. With a lifetime of residency and a robust involvement in the community, Jeremy brings a uniquely intimate perspective to our conversation.

Jeremy, known for his wit and dangerously local insight, shares candidly about his personal journey, navigating the highs and lows of life with refreshing honesty. As the host of the GoStGeorge Radio program for over four years, Jeremy's voice resonates through the community, and today, he brings that same authenticity to our podcast.

We delve into the essence of humanity, exploring poignant topics ranging from Jeremy's experience with divorce to the challenges of building lasting relationships in adulthood. Jeremy's insights on single parenthood offer invaluable wisdom, as he shares his strategies for being the best single dad he can be while balancing the demands of entrepreneurship.

Throughout the episode, Jeremy's warmth and humor shine through, reminding us of the power of vulnerability and connection in shaping our lives. Whether you're a St. George local or tuning in from afar, join us for a heartfelt conversation that celebrates the beauty of the human experience.

Connect w/Jeremy:
The Larkin Group: https://www.gostgeorge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyleonlarkin/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thelarkingroup

https://www.codyadent.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cody_adent/

After achieving his dream of being a video gamer artist and reaching the top at Blizzard Entertainment, Josh Singh was faced with the reality of what it takes to make it: time and constantly hitting the mark. After leaving and helping make League of Legends the game it is today, Josh finds himself climbing the ladder, both up and down, eventually leading back up to the top of the industry as the Art Director for Marvel Entertainment.

Josh attended BYU-Hawaii, earning an Associate of General Studies in 2001, and studied Graphic Design at Eagle Gate Technical College in Murray, UT. Since graduating, he has worked as a senior character artist at Sony Online Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment, and Riot Games, as well as other companies. In addition to being Art Director for Marvel Entertainment, he has also been an Art Director for Wavedash Games, where he built their art department entirely from scratch, and Brazilian gaming company Wildlife Games, which taught him a working proficiency in Portuguese. He has worked on such notable projects as Titan Quest, Project Titan (the predecessor to Overwatch), League of Legends, Legends of Runeterra, and Icons: Combat Arena, and Tennis Clash. He has been with Marvel Entertainment since September 2021, where he has been an Art Director for Marvel Snap, Marvel's Midnight Suns, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. In 2011, he was named a Master Artist by online art community CGHub (a honor with such weight that it has a history of being used to gain a US O-1B Visa, given to those who have extraordinary artistic ability) and was an instructor of a Masterclass at the Gnomon School of Visual Effects (the “MIT of VFX”) in 2013. Josh also speaks fluent Fijian. 

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Eccles APEX Website: https://www.suu.edu/apex

Former Southern Utah University Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services joins host Tony Pellegrini to discuss the world of education and finances. Marvin Dodge took the opportunity to join the Department of Government Operations as Executive Director in April 2023. In this role, Marvin is responsible for Administrative Rules, Archives, Purchasing, Fleet, Finance, Risk Management, Facilities and Construction Management, Technology Services and Human Resource Management for state agencies in Utah.

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

On Friday, 10 October 1800, a ragtag group of artists and Jacobins were arrested at the Paris Opéra, accused of plotting to stab First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte in his box. In the coming weeks the suspected ringleaders of this so-called Conspiracy of Daggers were swiftly tried, convicted, and guillotined as a warning to other would-be assassins. But how guilty were they? Although the regime prosecuted its case confidently, its critics from the beginning insisted that the accused were little more than patsies goaded into the crime by an undercover agent. Drawing on a wide range of sources—including official proceedings, firsthand accounts, architectural plans, secret British intelligence reports, as well as letters and scores in the French National Library and the Paris Opéra archives—this lecture reopens the case and argues that the “conspiracy” was likely an elaborate set-up by the authorities and that the opera performed on that fateful evening played a key role in entrapping and foiling the assassins.

Douglas L. Ipson is Assistant Professor of Music History and Theory at Southern Utah University. He received a Ph.D. in music history at the University of Chicago after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Brigham Young University. A specialist in nineteenth-century Italian opera—especially its political aspects—he has been published in the Cambridge Opera Journal and is a contributor to The Cambridge Verdi Encyclopedia (2013). He is preparing the critical edition of the opera La battaglia di Legnano for The Works of Giuseppe Verdi, published by the University of Chicago Press and Casa Ricordi. His other areas of scholarly interest include Shakespeare and opera, the sixteenth-century Italian madrigal, and opera in revolutionary and Napoleonic France. He is also a composer and arranger whose works have performed across the United States and internationally. He is a native of St. George, Utah.

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Eccles APEX Website: https://www.suu.edu/apex

We are joined by the creators Gerald C. Rivers (Morehouse College Alumni) and Charles Holt (Rhodes College) on the APEX Radio Hour Podcast Hour to discuss. 

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Eccles APEX Website: https://www.suu.edu/apex

Sylvia Bradshaw, Director, SPARC Office
Area of Expertise: Grant Life Cycle

Meet Sylvia, the spirited leader of SPARC! Hailing from the breathtaking landscapes of southern Utah, she's the SPARC Director with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master's in Research Administration from Johns Hopkins. Sylvia's true joy comes from learning, but it's multiplied when she's surrounded by mountain air, aspen leaves, pine trees, and her beloved family!

Jenn Stewart, Research Administrator 
Area of Expertise:  Pre-Award

Introducing Jenn, the epitome of brilliance and curiosity! Hailing from Arizona, she conquered English during her undergrad years. With a master's degree in technical writing and digital rhetoric, she's a scholar extraordinaire. Her thirst for knowledge with her pre-award role at SUU makes Jenn an unstoppable force!

Katie Gomez Freeman, Research Assistant
Area of Expertise:  Life-Cycle Compliance

Introducing Katie, another superstar of SPARC! From Mapleton, Utah, she's been rocking the office for 7 amazing years. From intern to full-time team member, she's the longest reigning member of the SPARC team. With a passion for pickleball, outdoor adventures, and movie marathons, Katie knows how to have a blast!

Carrie Childs, Research Administrator (Post-Award)
Area of Expertise:  Post-Award

Meet Carrie, the SPARC office's incredible Assistant Director! With a background in Accounting Services and fluent "Banner" skills, she's a powerhouse. Armed with an accounting degree and an MBA from SUU, she can’t be stopped. Catch her exploring nature, experimenting in the kitchen, or immersed in a captivating book. 

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Southern Utah University's Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, & Contracts (SPARC) office provides assistance to faculty, staff, and administrators seeking external funding for their projects and programs. From concept development and planning (pre-award) through implementation and management of funded projects (post-award), we will support you every step of the way. Assistance is provided in identifying potential extramural funding sources, developing proposal narratives and budgets, completing standardized application forms, assuring compliance with all applicable federal, state and university regulations, negotiating grant awards and contracts, and administering and closing out funded projects.

Learn more about SUU's SPARC Office

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Mary Pearson is the Dean of the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University. Her responsibilities include oversight of the Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hotel Resort and Hospitality Management, Management, Marketing, Professional Sales, Masters of Accountancy, Masters of Business Administration, and Master Science Business Analytics degrees.

Over the years, Pearson has received several awards. Most recently, she earned the UACPA Women to Watch Experienced Leader Award, Outstanding Educator for Beta Gamma Sigma, Student Influencer Award, Cedar City Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award, and Outstanding Educator Award for Southern Utah University in 2013.

Pearson has taught internationally at two of SUU partner schools in Austria for the last 16 years. Along with her work as a professor at SUU, Pearson is a certified public accountant (CPA) with her own financial firm in Cedar City, Utah. Pearson has served on several city, county, and school district committees and currently serves on the Helen Foster Snow Advisory Board and the Board of Directors for State Bank of Southern Utah.

Pearson earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a masters of accounting from Southern Utah University and has earned a Ph.D.​ in business administration from Northcentral University. Pearson's previous experience includes serving as Associate Dean at Southern Utah University, Instructor of Accounting at College of Southern Nevada, and Accountant/Auditor for Carol A. Stone CPAs.

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Degrees Held:

• Ph.D. – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2002
• M.A. – University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1998
• B.S. – Southern Utah University, 1995

Career Highlights:

I published a co-authored text for use in the basic communication course with Kendall Hunt publishing in 2017. In addition, since 2003 I have authored or co-authored 22 articles or book chapters in academic books and national/regional/state journals in the communication field. I have been honored with several major awards at conferences for top research in instructional pedagogy and textual analysis, and I have also served as an editorial board member for two different journals.

I have received the Outstanding Educator Award at SUU as well as the Outstanding Scholar Award and have been recognized as a Service Learning Fellow. Moreover, I have been named a top influencer for students during their college experience.

I served as the graduate director for nine years before being appointed as the new department chair.

In which online degree program do you teach?

• M.A. – Professional Communication

Links to share:

• https://www.suu.edu/experts/profile/?expert=matthe...
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-barton-b6881567/

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Donna Law is the executive director of development and government relations at Southern Utah University. Previously, she directed the non-partisan Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service on campus. She enjoys the opportunity to teach as an adjunct in the Master of Interdisciplinary Studies and Arts Administration programs at SUU.

With a background in communication, public relations and marketing, Law now serves as a liaison between SUU and the Utah State Legislature on issues related to higher education.

In addition to her work at the University, she is involved with a number of boards and committees. In 2016, former Utah Governor Gary Herbert appointed Law to the Utah Transportation Commission and she previously served as chair and on the board of the Utah Office of Museum Services. She has served as board member and vice-president of the Shakespeare Theatre Association of America, chair of the Cedar City - Brian Head Tourism Board and the Iron County Lodging Association, and currently serves on Cedar City's RAP Tax Board.

In 2005, the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce recognized Law as Woman of the Year.

Law earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Governors University and a master's degree in arts administration from Southern Utah University. She now serves SUU as the Associate Vice President of Community and Government Relations.

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Dr. Julie McCown is an Associate Professor of English at Southern Utah University. She received her Ph.D. in English from University of Texas at Arlington in 2016 and her M.A in English from University of Texas of the Permian Basin in 2011. Her teaching and research interests are wide-ranging and include early American literature, women writers, queer literatures, and digital humanities/media theory. She also discovered a previously unknown poem by the 18th-century African American poet Jupiter Hammon, which introduced her to the wonders of archival research. Her recent publications have been about early African American literature, nineteenth-century American poetry, and nineteenth-century women’s periodicals. Her current research focuses generative artificial intelligence (AI) and how to critically and ethically incorporate AI into First-Year Composition.

Dr. Scott C. Knowles is an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Southern Utah University. He received an MA from Florida State University and a PhD from the University of Kansas. His dissertation, Dystopian Performatives: Negative Affect/Emotion in the Work of Sarah Kane focused on the performative impact of violent scenes from Kane’s work on the affect/emotion of an audience. He has presented this work along with research focused on race, gender, directing, and dramaturgy at conferences such as the American Society for Theatre Research, The Mid-America Theatre Conference, Theatre Symposium, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. He has published work with both Theatre Journal and in A Critical Companion to Lynn Nottage. His directing work focuses primarily on theatre for social change, working to involve audiences, company, and community in issues beyond the walls of the theatre through a variety of outreach approaches. In 2017, Scott was awarded SUU’s Distinguished Faculty for Inclusion and Diversity Award based on his work with The Laramie Project.

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.

Mindy Benson serves as the President of Southern Utah University where she prioritizes the needs of faculty, staff, and students, mental health resources, and campus culture. Benson also focuses on strengthening community and University partnerships and led one of SUU’s most successful legislative sessions in recent history as interim president in 2021-2022.

Prior to her appointment as president, Benson served as Vice President of Alumni and Community Relations at SUU for eight years. In that role, Benson built a new division for community outreach and many of the public-facing entities of the University including Alumni Relations, Regional Services, the Utah Center for Rural Health, Business Resource Center and Small Business Development Center, the Southern Utah Museum of Art, and the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games. She has advanced through a variety of positions at SUU including Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Director of Student Life and Leadership. Along with her leadership responsibilities, Benson has also taught courses on campus for 14 years, in the departments of Communication, and Hotel, Resort, and Hospitality Management.

Benson has played a pivotal role in many community outreach efforts, including expanding workforce development, job creation, economic opportunities, increasing community and alumni engagement, and overseeing major campus and community special events. Her primary focus at SUU has been to strengthen ties with institutional stakeholders and create deep and lasting relationships with community members and leaders throughout the region and state. These efforts have led to expanded engagement of alumni, donors, and friends, as well as dramatically increased university resources through gifts and grants. 

In addition to her work at SUU, Benson is a professional event consultant and planner throughout the nation, with experience producing hundreds of high-level productions, including concerts, events, political conventions, gubernatorial and U.S. presidential inaugurations. 

Mindy is a Cedar City native, with ties to southern Utah and SUU that go back generations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Arts in Professional Communication from SUU.

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.