Six years ago, Park City alumni of the University of Utah encouraged the school to hold lectures in town. They said Summit County has a film series, musical and theatrical performances and amazing sporting events, but less to feed intellectual curiosity. The university agreed, thinking it would be a great chance to introduce itself to the community, explained Marc Day, head of institutional advancement.
The series has attracted such a large and loyal following, this year the university is requiring a membership to help defray the costs of the drinks and hors d’oeuvres offered. It is also changing venues from Spiro Arts at Silver Star to the Utah Olympic Park at Kimball Junction.
The first lecture, scheduled March 10, will feature Park City-resident Hank Louis, a professor of architecture. His presentation, “Another Man’s Ceiling,” will be about his program DesignBuildBLUFF in which students design and build a home for a Navajo family often living off the grid.
The cost of holding the lecture series is more than can be recovered through membership fees, Day said, but budgets are tight for the university and attendees have expressed willingness to support the program they enjoy.
Membership for the full season, which includes six lectures and a Christmas concert in December, is $100 — $150 for a couple. The refreshments are catered and usually include alcohol. His office considered eliminating that “mingling” portion of the evening to save costs, but it has become immensely popular. Day joked that sometimes it’s hard to get the lecture started.
Other lectures this season include two researchers from the department of psychology, the university’s athletic director, the dean of the Honors College and a professor of psychiatry. The topics range from cell-phone use to Shakers to suicide trends.
People are encouraged to register at www.uupci.utah.edu . Individual tickets to events will be available for $35 or $50 for a couple.
Day said the 130 participants at last season’s presentation on the Yellowstone Caldera showed just how far the program has evolved from its first year with four lectures averaging about 20 attendees.
It’s been wonderful for the university, he said.
“We love doing it. I have one of the best jobs in the world because I take these world-class researchers up to Park City and let them talk about what they’re doing here,” he said.
Many second-home owners or recent transplants are unfamiliar with what the university offers, he said. The Honors College, College of Pharmacy and many other Health Sciences programs are all nationally ranked.
There’s so much talent in Park City that it’s to the school’s advantage to get people here interested in teaching or volunteering on campus.
“We’re just 28 miles and a right turn from each other but the mountains create a disconnect,” he said. “We want people in Park City to know us better.”
Memberships for lectures series have been successful, Day said. There’s one for the College of Social and Behavioral Science that meets at Squatters Pub Brewery in Salt Lake City and is very popular.
The Utah Olympic Park will accommodate the group well and is a “neat place,” he said. It has adequate parking and is a fun venue.
“The Spiro was wonderful, we were there for three years,” he added.
For more information call Janine Murphy at 801-585-0742.