News

The belief that we can’t survive in today’s economy without credit makes it easy to confuse access with entitlement. The truth is, credit isn’t essential—it’s a financial shortcut.

Two Utah State University Eastern welding students earned top honors at the annual SkillsUSA Utah state competition, demonstrating both technical mastery and creative innovation. Benjamin Cornaby took first place in the welding fabrication category, while...

As the largest program at USU Eastern, the electrical apprenticeship program follows a unique structure: students work as apprentices by day and attend classes two nights a week. Over four years, they gain the knowledge and experience needed to earn their...

“We’ve had companies from Utah and elsewhere that come to recruit and identify future talent,” Anderson said. “Companies fly in specifically to look at certain projects, and we’ve had a number of students get jobs from those contacts.”

Outdoor Product Design and Development student Brenna Utley is among the first students who transferred credits and experience from the Salt Lake Community College Fashion Institute and is well on the way to a career in the growing outdoor products indust...

USU's Department of Technology, Design & Technical Education has launched a new bachelor's degree in engineering technology, developed with input from Utah companies that need highly skilled technicians with a range of specific skills.

Utah State University and Salt Lake Community College have created a transfer agreement aimed at giving fashion and design students opportunities to pursue further education and careers in the growing outdoor industry.

Wyatt Hansen is now preparing for WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon, France, in September. He will be the sole representative from the USA at this competition, which is the technical skills equivalent to the Olympics.

SkillsUSA has selected Wyatt Hansen of Altonah, Utah as the official competitor for Welding in the 2024 WorldSkills Competition. His technical expert is Ray Connolly of Cedar Hill, Mo. Hansen will represent the United States at the 2024 WorldSkills Compet...

To see Utah State’s Outdoor Product Design and Development program in action, all one needs to do is step into the Janet Quinney Lawson Building. Mannequins in parkas, murals of the outdoors and a kayak adorn the first

After nearly two decades in law enforcement, Shawn Addley is ready to pass along his extensive experience and knowledge to the next generation of peace officers.

Welding faculty at Utah State University Blanding campus donned protective gear and shunned the customary large pair of scissors in favor of welding torches on Friday, Oct. 6, cutting through a metal ribbon to herald the opening of the Statewide campus’ n...

Britt Olsen, GM for the Americas at On Running, spoke to upper-division students in the OPDD program about the power of high-performing teams and how she identifies top talent in her role as a leader.

Embarking on a career path requires careful consideration and self-reflection. For Shaun D. Ketchum Jr., the path to his profession in construction management has been a transformative journey. From his days as a middle school student with an interest in ...

Baylee Vogler, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a role as an Industrial Designer at Black Diamond.

Summit Journal, formerly Summit Magazine, makes its return after about two decades being dormant.

Utah State University and Davis Technical College recently created an agreement aimed at helping future cosmetologists and small business owners.The new agreement allows Davis Tech cosmetology students to transfer 44 credits into an associate of applied s...

Tommy Dalziel, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate accepted a role as a Mechanical Designer at Buck Knives.

After several days of competition, Utah State University Eastern students took home a pair of gold medals at the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference this year in Atlanta.

Dr. Rachel Gross, an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado - Denver and a 2022 Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellow, shares an update on her research conducted in USU's Special Collections & Archives.

Stine Danielle, an artist and one of our Outdoor Recreation Archive Fellows, gives an update on her project and shares more about how archival imagery influences her latest work.

Utah State University was recently recognized as a leader in STEM education by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association as a University STEM School of Excellence.

Jenna Celmer, the Co-Founder, Chief Community Officer, and President of Basecamp talks to students about red and green flags when applying for jobs in the outdoor industry and shares powerful tips for finding a fulfilling career.

Utah State University Eastern's welding technology program and the diesel and heavy equipment mechanics program triumphed at the SkillsUSA Utah Skills and Leadership Conference held at Salt Lake Community College, bringing home multiple gold, silver, and ...

Utah State University and Uintah Basin Technical College (UBTech) recently signed an agreement that makes it easier for welding students to choose to expand their career paths. The articulation agreement allows UBTech welding certificate students to trans...

Sydney Mabey wasn’t sure she wanted to go to college. Uncertain of her professional goals, the idea of taking college classes that may or may not help her future career did not appeal to her. Short years after finishing high school, she’s graduating with ...

The new machine tool technology program at Utah State University Eastern will soon be celebrating its first graduate. Colin Kirkwood-Zele will be walking at USU Eastern’s graduation ceremony this spring and finishing classes this summer for the new progra...

Utah State University Moab Technical Education Programs is hosting Women in Welding workshops in order to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for women interested in learning how to weld.

When Angela Bloom found herself in front of drug court — for the second time in her 25-year-long battle with addiction — she was presented with three options: get a job, do community service, or go to school.

Garrett Davis, a student in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at USU has accepted a role as a Designer at Asher Golf.

A trip to the eye doctor cemented Joseph Weaver’s career goals: he was going to become an optometrist. He was only in high school, but he knew this future career would be a great fit, blending his natural affinity for science and his desire to help people...

Women in Welding is a new workshop taught by USU Moab’s welding instructor, Chloe Wilson. The four-session course aims to involve women in a field where they are commonly underrepresented.

As a part of an ongoing partnership, USU’s Outdoor Product Design & Development program helps host an event for local kids and refugees to learn how to sketch outdoor products, most recently learning how to draw shoes.

Charles Ross, a Lecturer at the Royal College of Art and a Performance Apparel Specialist, spoke to students in the Sustainable Design and Operations class in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program.

Morgan Davis, a student in the OPDD program at Utah State University, has accepted a role as a Product Line Management and Design Intern at Cache Valley brand, Nani Swimwear.

Jacob Hawley, a graduate from OPDD, accepted a role at Petzl America as an IT Specialist.

Peter Yee, former Vice President of Industrial Design at Oakley, spoke to first-year students in OPDD about his journey to becoming a product designer, where he finds inspiration, and why he loves being a designer.

OPDD made a strong showing at the 2023 Winter OR Show. The annual event brought together industry professionals, exhibitors, and outdoor enthusiasts to showcase the latest products and trends in outdoor gear and equipment.

Brian Warnick, interim head of the Department of Technology, Design and Technical Education in USU’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, was recently honored by being named a fellow of the Food Systems Leadership Institute.

Yoji Kaneda, Product Line Manager for Danner Boots, spoke to first-year OPDD students in the Intro to Product Creation class about the role of a PLM in the product creation process.

Utah State University is excited to announce the addition of Dr. Amber Williams as the newest member of the Outdoor Product Design & Development faculty.

Spencer Wyatt, Director of Concepts and Surface Design at Allbirds, speaks to OPDD students about his interest in color and materials and the influence of Ninja Turtles on his design career.

Nicholas Welch, we hope your internship at Rent Dynamics has been a great experience!

Paige Koch, a recent graduate of Utah State University's Outdoor Product Design & Development program, has accepted a position as a Product Line Manager & Designer at Primo Golf. Koch, a member of the class of 2022, previously interned at Under Armour and...

Rhonda Summer, an Under Armour Design Director and Katherine Connolly a Graphic Designer at the company, spoke at the 2022 Outdoor History Summit about their visit to the Outdoor Recreation Archive and how archives influence graphic and product design.

We are excited to share the success story of Alexis Parkinson with you all! Alexis graduated with a Technology Systems degree emphasizing Quality & Reliability. We can't wait to see all the great things she continues to do at Space Dynamics Laboratory!

Congratulations to Vance Nelson on his internship with Thermo Fisher Scientific. We hope it has been going great!

As we wrap up the semester, we hope Logan Shimazaki has been enjoying his internship with Ogden City Government.

Congratulations to Tanner Jensen on your internship with TRA Snow and Sun! We hope your internship is going well!

Cade F., we hope your internship with Space Dynamics Laboratory is going great! Keep up the great work!

Dr. Rachel Gross, Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado-Denver spoke at the Outdoor History Summit about their time in the Outdoor Recreation Archive and research on the history of big box and specialty retail in the outdoor industry. Dr. Gros...

Jordan Jensen, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Rhone as a Designer!

Technology Systems Student Spotlight! I chose Technology Systems Product Development Emphasis because I liked the classes that were required. I felt like this major gave me more valuable knowledge than other majors so I could diversify myself in the job f...

Tanner Gerrard, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a position at Kiska in Salzburg, Austria as an Apparel Design Intern!

Robert Thomas, Senior Director (USA) for Arc’teryx, talks with students about the qualities of a great product line manager and PLMs as the hub of the product creation process.

Ethan MacKay, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted a position at Bass Pro Shops as a Remote Industrial Designer!

Working with the Utah Nursing Assistant Registry, USU developed a six-week industry-based CNA course for family member caregivers and uncertified nursing assistants to help relieve shortages. The program began in August and offers open enrollment.

Congratulations to Alan J Bown on his Civil Solutions Group, Inc. internship. We wish you all the best as you continue your career.

Sarah Al-Hussein, a product developer at Sanuk, talks with first year product students about their role as part of the product triad and the specific tasks of a developer in bringing footwear to market.

Bob Anderson, Founder and Editor of Runner's World, joins the History of Gear and talks about how he started the magazine, the evolution and massive growth of the sport, and how introduced millions of people to running.

Ted and Greg Hine join the History of Gear to talk about building Hine Snowbridge, developing early internal frame packs and bikepacking products, and sending packs to space.

Zachary Buffaloe, an Outdoor Product Design & Development graduate, accepted a full-time position at Rocky Mountain ATV as a Product Line Manager.

Jaimus Tailor, Founder and Creative Director of Greater Goods talks to students about his pathway into the world of product design and the upside as well as limitations of upcycling.

Sawyer Hill, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted an internship at Sego Ski Co as a Ski Production Intern.

Catherine Acosta, Product Archivist and Brand Historian at Vans talks about material culture, the blending of consumer products and art, and the challenges and opportunities of building a corporate archive from the ground up.

Merit3D is focused on bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. while also growing the economic opportunities in eastern Utah.

Hallie Kemp, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted an internship at ULA Equipment as a Marketing Intern.

Technology Systems Graduate Spotlight of Alexis Parkinson who recently accepted a job at the Space Dynamics Laboratory!

Audrey Nybo, an Outdoor Product Design & Development student, accepted an internship at LL Bean as an Apparel Design Intern.

Trent Saarelainen, a graduate of Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Bushnell as an Assistant Product Manager.

Dr. Sahra Kaboli-Nejad, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at On Running talks with students about their individual power and responsibility to create more inclusive products, experiences, and teams as future leaders in the outdoor industry.

Ben Sharp, a graduate of Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Grand Trunk as the Head of Design.

Beirne Chisolm joins the History of Gear to talk about his company, The Band. He talks about how he and his brother Greg broke into the accessories business with their watchband.

Baylee Vogler, a Junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Black Diamond as an Industrial Design Intern.

Ami Vo, at the time of writing, a Senior Recruiter at Deckers Brands, now at Nike, talks with students about the dos and don’ts of applying for positions in product creation and peels back the curtain on the hiring process.

Christian Berroteran, a Freshman in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Klymit as a Product Line Management intern.

On March 25, the USU Eastern Welding Fabrication team, consisting of welding students Lukas Worthington, Branson Gross, and Ty Anderson, placed first overall at the SkillsUSA Utah Skills and Leadership Contest (ULSC) in Salt Lake City.

Allan Pietrasanta, owner and operator behind Buttermilk Mountain Works joins the History of Gear to talk about the influence of Bishop, CA on the company, the shift from outdoor gear to soft goods for the tech industry, and other memories from the outdoor...

While Utah State University Statewide Campuses have been seen by many as a way to stay close to home while also earning a technical or undergraduate degree, USU Statewide Campuses are also able to prepare students for graduate school.

Jeff Knight, joins the History of Gear to talk about the company he co-founded, Granite Gear, making a better portage pack, how the region influences the product, and the art of packmaking.

Taliesin Williford, a Junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Kuhl as an Apparel Design intern.

To lessen the burden of the cost even further, USU is taking steps toward making certificate and degree programs more accessible to students who are employed full-time. This includes offering courses in the evening as well as extending summer enrollment o...

Representatives from Nalgene partnered with students from Outdoor Product Design & Development in a "Project Runway" style design challenge where students were tasked with tackling real design briefs from the brand.

Tim O'Brien, a Junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a role at Bass Pro Shops as a Marketing intern.

For over 30 years, Custom Fit has helped Utah-owned businesses and individuals afford essential trainings. These trainings span from continuing education credits to OSHA, MSHA, and other industry-specific certifications.

Annie Agle, Senior Director of Impact / Sustainability at Cotopaxi talks with OPDD students about the challenges designers face when balancing performance and sustainability, why Cotopaxi focuses on using remnant fabrics, and the opportunities to build a ...

Benjamin Cummings, a Senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at ENVE Composites as a CAD Specialist.

Clare Pavelka, Corporate Archivist for Red Wing Shoe Company / Vasque joins the History of Gear to talk about the origins of the Vasque archive, the intersection of brand and state / regional history, and her journey from stamp collector to brand archivis...

Garrett Davis, a junior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at ULA as a Sustainability Production Coordinator.

Jacob Johnson, a senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at Vooray as a Product Designer.

Dawn Thao-Yang, Director of Global Product Design at Carhartt, spoke to first year students in OPDD about her journey from fast fashion to designing durable product for Carhartt. She talks about her role in creative leadership and making products that sol...

Rhett Robinson, a senior in the Outdoor Product Design & Development program accepted an internship with Trek Bicycles as a CAD Engineer Intern.

Paige Koch, a senior in Outdoor Product Design & Development, accepted a position at Under Armour as a Creative / Design Intern.

Nash Calvin accepted a role at Hyperlite Mountain Gear as a Technical Pattern Designer.

Students in OPDD's Design Thinking course worked with NASA Commercialization to identify opportunities to use NASA technology and materials to solve problems in the outdoor industry.

Recent graduate and Product Design at Orvis, Natalie Cullum, was recently recognized by Polartec and awarded their Apex Award for her work on the Orvis PRO Sun Hoodie.

New instructors Jeremiah Garcia and Jake Clement bring unique skills and expertise to the welding program at Utah State University Eastern.

Todd Kohlman, corporate archivist at Burton, shares his pathway into working in product archives, the origins of the collection, and how historic materials are used by the Burton team.

Rugged Thread is a part of a growing movement of repair in the outdoor industry. Josie Kinney, Director of Business Development, talks about the future of repair, the financial and sustainability benefits to offering these services, as well as the growing...

MyMedic, a Utah-based medical company sponsored a Design Sprint with OPDD students to explore the future of first aid and recovery.

Holly Roberge and Stephanie Schaff, Senior Archive Specialists at Reebok join the History of Gear to talk about their entry into the world of archiving, their day to day roles, and the importance of archival work within Reebok.

The Outdoor Recreation Archive (USU Special Collections & Archives) and Range partnered to host the first ever Outdoor History Summit on September 15, 2021.

Utah State University Eastern is excited to announce a Strategic Workforce Initiative (SWI) in Rural Technology, a concurrent enrollment program for high school juniors and seniors at Carbon High School and Pinnacle Canyon Academy.

(Blanding, UT) – In late July, the Utah State University Blanding campus welcomed students from American Indian Services (AIS). The day included a tour of the campus along with several presentations from campus representatives.

Blanding, UT - The Utah State University Blanding campus has received a USDA Rural Business Development Grant to strengthen local businesses and artisans in San Juan County. The program will offer 15 free business development packages and begins August 1....

Utah State University Eastern’s welding fabrication team won the national title for college teams in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference for the third consecutive year.

Students at Utah State University Moab can now earn a community healthcare worker certificate, which comes with certification from the Utah Department of Health Environment, Policy & Improved Clinic Care program.

Heather Raney, a Product Manager at Obermeyer, talks about how working retail helped her as a designer and manager, the secrets to a good portfolio, and her journey into the industry.

The Department of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education is marked a milestone this spring with the first three graduates – Paul Hill, Michelle Burrows, and Julie Lamarra — from the career and technical education (CTE) doctoral program.

On this episode of the History of Gear, Beaver Theodosakis, founder of prAna, talks about how he and his wife Pam built the company from their garage to selling it to Columbia Sportswear Company.

Alicia Pinckney, formerly of Timberland where she worked as a Global Women’s Senior Apparel Designer, speaks to design students about her pathway into the industry and how to stand out as a designer.

On this episode of the History of Gear Series, Sarah Pickman, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale and author of “Dress, Image, and Cultural Encounter in the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration” talks about colonialism in the outdoors and the history of polar gear and a...

Greg and Jim Thomsen join the History of Gear Series to talk about their company, Wilderness Experience. We talk about their experience breaking into the industry, taking a company public and their experience in senior leadership at companies like VF Corp...

Carolyn Allen, an industrial designer at Werx Design, shared insights into portfolio do's and don'ts with students in the OPDD program. Allen shares some of their favorite portfolios as well as tips for how to stand out as a designer when seeking a job.

Outdoor agency, forecaster, and media publication, Range, hosted a conversation with archivists, researchers, and historians about the importance of gear history and preservation.

Utah State University recently partnered with the Utah Industry Resources Alliance (UIRA) and the state of Utah to create an online supply chain database to help Utah’s manufacturing sector engage with the broader marketplace.

Abigail Stern, Owner and Designer at Matek talks about breaking into the skiwear industry, the outdoors and fashion, and her work reinventing base layers.

Sigrid Olsen, a Technical Designer at Peak Performance, shares her experience as a sportswear designer and her capstone collection, Bike to Ski, a line of technical outerwear for cyclists and skiers.

Last week, three young student volunteers from the USU Eastern LDS Institute worked on the Garden Collective that is located on 100 North and 300 East in Price.

Spencer Nugent, Industrial Designer, educator, creator, and mind behind Sketch-A-Day, spoke to the Outdoor Product Design & Development program about portfolio development and how to become a better visual communicator.

Sally McCoy, industry legend and former senior leader at companies like The North Face, Sierra Designs, and Camelbak, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about her introduction to the outdoor industry, her non-profit work, and the evolution of the ou...

Rachel Bodily (Class of 2020) shares her experience as a recent graduate, finding a job during the pandemic, and her new role as a Color, Materials, and Finish Designer for Skullcandy in Park City, Utah.

Amber Williams, a textile science lecturer at Utah State University, says fit, elasticity, color, and aesthetics are important, as these factors can really make an impact on how you feel wearing clothes, but you also want to make sure you're wearing fabri...

Bruce Hamilton, former President of The North Face, joins the History of Gear Series to discuss the evolution of the company under his leadership and the creation of the revolutionary Oval Intention tent.

OPDD student Mckenzie Farley and faculty member Dr. Andrew Deceuster partnered with the Aggie Chocolate Factory and Beaver Mountain to create a custom chocolate bar for the ski resort.

Tracey Cottingham, a Clothing Architect, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about technical apparel design and construction, her time with Nike and Columbia, and the importance of preserving the history of gear and apparel.

In the latest History of Gear Series, David Whetstone and Michaela Hardy from The North Face give a glimpse into the company archives. They share the value of preserving product, the importance of brand history and its impact on legacy, and how the collec...

As their website states, Utah State University Eastern is Utah’s “best kept secret”. With low tuition rates, one-on-one instruction, and exciting student athletic events, USUE is a great place to start your secondary education.

Dr. Rachel Gross joins the History of Gear Series to talk about the legacy of Bob Gore and the creation of Gore-Tex.

Outdoor print materials are preserved in the Outdoor Recreation Archive Rick Saez interviews Chase Anderson, Program Coordinator for the Outdoor Product Design & Development program, about the Outdoor Recreation Archive on the Outdoor Biz Podcast.

Amelia Arvesen, a freelance journalist and creative, shares her experience working in outdoor journalism, the importance of quality reporting, the joys and challenges of working freelance, and Honing Her Craft, her latest venture telling stories about cre...

Chris El-Deiry, Owner of Mountain Equipment Research Group, shares his journey to a career in the outdoor industry, leading field testing at Black Diamond, and his new venture providing field testing services for brands across the industry.

Kevin Brown, Heritage and Archives Manager from W.L. Gore & Associates, joins the History of Gear Series to talk about the importance of corporate collections, the origins of the Gore archive, and how collections are used by various departments at the com...

Brian Kelley, a NYC-based photographer joins the History of Gear Series to talk about his efforts to archive and share National Parks Service pamphlets. We talk about the importance of archival efforts, outdoor graphic design, and how he inspired the Outd...

The product development team from Teva visits the Outdoor Product Design & Development program at USU and talks about how they work together to bring new product to market.

Chris Leiter joined the History of Gear Series to talk about SAND Pack Company, his creative endeavor to challenge what handmade product can be and help the history of gear live on through new product.

Kyle Snarr, product enthusiast, marketer, and founder of Cantonment, shares his experience working for companies like Struck, Vox Media, Gear Patrol and Wachonista where he learned to tell stories about product to now building his own brand.

Natalie Cullum, an OPDD alum (Class of 2019) and Product Design at Orvis shared her experience transitioning from college life to working in industry, what her day to day looks like, and things she wished she would have known.

Dr. Rachel Gross shares her insights into the evolution of outdoor apparel and what clothing says about those who wear it. Dr. Gross argues that outdoor clothing, known for its performance, also represents values and communicates identity.

Vista Outdoor owns brands like Camp Chef, Camelbak, Bell, and Giro. Craig McLaughlin, Director of eCommerce and Digital Marketing at Vista Outdoor shares his insights.

Vista Outdoor owns brands like Camp Chef, Camelbak, Bell, and Giro. Craig McLaughlin, Director of eCommerce and Digital Marketing at Vista Outdoor shares his insights.

Companies often train their own drivers, but students in the Heavy Equipment and Trucking program at Utah State University Eastern are qualified operators right out of the starting gate and are able to rapidly advance their careers.