Dixie State University Alumni Association to award alumni, community members
Dixie State University Alumni Association to award alumni, community members
Distinguished awards to be given at Evening of Dixie
ST. GEORGE, Utah — To show their appreciation for Dixie State University alumni and community partners and all they do to make Dixie a great place, the DSU Alumni Association is hosting the seventh annual Evening of Dixie.
Evening of Dixie was established in 2010 to bring alumni, students and the community together to thank them for their involvement and dedication to not only Dixie State University, but also to its community. The free event will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, in the Zion Room on the fifth floor of the Holland Centennial Commons on the Dixie State campus.
“This year, the DSU Alumni Association is honored to recognize Ron and Nora Axton, Kevin Ence, Mace Jacobson and Coach Greg Croshaw,” Kalynn Larson, DSU director of alumni relations, said. “They have been an intricate part of Dixie State and the community for many years.”
Dixie super fans Ron and Nora Axton will receive the Dixie Spirit Award, an honor that is a perfect fit for the couple that is part of the Dixie State Athletic Alliance and attend all the athletic events they possibly can. After becoming acquainted with Dixie when the soccer team helped the couple with yard work, the Axtons also are committed to contributing to Dixie State scholarships.
DSU Academic Advisor Mace Jacobson will be given the Big D/Roene DiFiore Award. Named after Roene DiFiore, who taught at Dixie for more than 20 years and emanated the Dixie Spirit in all she did, the Big D award is given to an alumnus who was part of the Program Bureau, now known as Raging Red. Jacobson, who accepted a position with Dixie State Registration and Admissions in 2000 and joined the TRiO Student Support Services team as an academic advisor and tutoring coordinator in 2012, is being awarded this honor for her love for helping students develop their strengths and passions.
Legendary football coach Greg Croshaw will be honored with the Rebel Award, which is given each year to an alumnus who has the Rebel spirit of compassion and determination to achieve his goals despite difficult challenges. Croshaw was named the head football coach at Dixie College in May 1982 and served in that capacity until February 2005. In 24 seasons, his team won 17 conference championships, made 20 bowl game appearances, winning 15 of those matchups, and ranked nationally 20 times. Additionally, Croshaw received the Western States Football League and Utah Collegiate Coach of the Year awards 13 times during his career.
Given to a member of the local community who has given back to DSU and St. George over the years, the Community Service Award will be presented to entrepreneur Kevin Ence. After earning an associate degree from Dixie College in 1976, Kevin followed in his father’s footsteps, working in the real estate profession. He has been involved in several southern Utah hotel developments. Currently, Ence and several partners are renovating the George Town Square Apartments located just east of campus to create the new off-campus student housing, The Stay.
Kevin Ence
Greg Croshaw
Ron and Nora Axton
Mace Jacobson
“Evening of Dixie is a great way for the alumni association to recognize more of our outstanding alumni and friends for their time and dedication to others,” Larson said. “Over the years, it has become a fun tradition, and we look forward to it each and every year.”
As part of the occasion, the current D-Queen, Dixie Idol winner and Raging Red will perform. Following the program, fireworks will be launched from the “D” on the black hill overlooking historic St. George. The DSU Alumni Association invites everyone to attend this free event.
For more information about the Dixie State University Alumni Association, visit alumni.utahtech.edu.
