St. George in Washington County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
University Growth
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, February 23, 2025
1. University Growth Marker
"With the strength and grit of a pioneer..."- From the Utah Tech Fight Song, by Ricky Valadez
Foundation
St. George Stake Academy opened on September 19, 1911. Originally operating as a high school, it soon added courses to train new teachers. The high school added college classes and updated the name to Dixie Normal College in 1916. The change formally adopted the students' colloquial name for the school.
Junior College
Dixie College simplified its name in 1923 when a new board of trustees was formed. The high school basketball team earned the Flyers nickname in the early 1920s. Dixie Junior College became a state school in 1933.
The college adopted the nickname Rebels in 1951 to distinguish the high school from the college teams. The Rebel nickname was connected to Confederate symbols, seen in emblems like the mascot, Rodney the Rebel. In 1963-1964, the college separated from the high school and built a new campus here. In 1971, the name changed back to Dixie College.
Status
The college began offering bachelor's degrees in 2000 and was renamed Dixie State College of Utah. The mascot evolved from Reb the
this page online
Growth
Since first opening in 1911, the University has significantly added students, program offerings, and learning spaces. The institution's first graduating class of 1913 included 15 students but has since grown to include more than 2,800 degree candidates, as celebrated at Utah Tech University's 112th Commencement Ceremony.
For more information visit: utahtech.edu/heritage-cove
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 37° 6.242′ N, 113° 33.912′ W. Marker is in St. George, Utah, in Washington County. It can be reached from East 300 North. Located in the Heritage Cove just east of the Utah Tech University Gardner Student Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 975 E 300 North, Saint George UT 84770, United States
Photographed by Jeremy Snow, February 23, 2025
2. University Growth Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Color Country. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, and on the Colorado Plateau. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Ridge and Sugarloaf (here, next to this marker); Struggle to Thrive (here, next to this marker); Poetry and Music (here, next to this marker); Dixie Pioneers (here, next to this marker); The Dixie Spirit (here, next to this marker); Manifest Destiny (a few steps from this marker); First Peoples (a few steps from this marker); Water - Lifeblood of the Desert (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. George.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 23, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. 2. submitted on February 24, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
