Donors and Awardees Recognized at 2023 Scholarship & Awards Banquet

Students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services came together to recognize the generosity of donors to the college at the 2023 Scholarship and Awards banquet.

Held in the ballroom of the Taggart Student Center, the annual Scholarship and Awards banquet provides an opportunity for students who have received academic scholarships to meet the donors who make those scholarships possible. The event also recognizes faculty who have received college and university awards, as well as donors and alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the progress and mission of the college.

More than 400 scholarships were awarded throughout the college this fall, totaling over $700,000 of life-changing support to students in education and human services fields. Attending students were able to learn more about the life and legacy of those who represent their scholarships, and donors were able to learn about the education and career goals of the students they support.

The college awardees who were honored at this year's banquet include faculty members Brian Higginbotham and Karl White as well as CEHS Advancement Board member Harriet Rasmussen. Learn more about these individuals and the awards they received below.

 

Dr. Brian J. Higginbotham

Recipient of the Strong Human Services Award

The Strong Human Services Award honors an Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services faculty or staff member. Named after former Dean Carol Strong and her spouse William Strong, this award recognizes significant and sustained leadership in human services and applied research that improves the lives of children or adults.

Dr. Brian Higginbotham is the associate vice president for USU Extension and a professor in the department of Human Development and Family Studies. Dr. Higginbotham has maintained a prolific research program while having a large administrative role in USU Extension. During his career at USU, he has generated over 100 research-based publications and secured over $37 million in external funding. He is the principal USU administrator for the Utah Marriage Commission, Utah’s online divorce education programs, and the Healthy Relationships Utah initiative. Annually, his programs help thousands of people improve relationship skills such as communication, conflict management, and commitment.

 

Dr. Karl R. White

Recipient of the Professional Achievement Award

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Professional Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to their field over the course of their career.

Dr. Karl White is the founding director of the National Center for Hearing Assesment and Management, a professor of Psychology, and the Emma Eccles Jones Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Education at Utah State University. Originally trained as a statistician and research methodologist, he was the principal investigator for the first large-scale research project investigating the efficacy and efficiency of universal newborn hearing screening (the Rhode Island Hearing Assessment Project from 1988-1993). Since that time, he has devoted most of his professional activities to developing more efficient early hearing detection and intervention programs through research, improving public health information systems, training and technical assistance, and information dissemination.

Dr. White has served on various committees focused on deaf or hard of hearing issues throughout the world and has been recognized with awards from diverse organizations such as the Deafness Research Foundation, the American Association for Speech Language and Hearing, the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped in Mumbai, India, the Swedish Society of Medicine, and the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Karl and his wife Amy have 8 children and 29 grandchildren. During their spare time, they enjoy spending time with their family, horseback riding, and being in the mountains.

 

Harriet R. Rasmussen

Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service award recognizes and celebrates the honor that Harriet R. Rasmussen has brought to USU through her outstanding service and achievements.

Harriet Richards Rasmussen was born in Salt Lake City and raised in Farmington, Utah. As both of her parents were University of Utah graduates, she was expected to follow their lead. However, a week spent at Utah State University in 1961 as a delegate to Girl’s State left her knowing she wanted to be an Aggie! She graduated in 1967 from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in child development/elementary education.

Harriet determined from her early childhood education classes at USU that her future goal was to be a full-time wife and mother; thus, her professional teaching career lasted but one year. She then gratefully implemented her education in the rearing of four Rasmussen children, two daughters and two sons. She married Waldemar E. Rasmussen, who was employed by Exxon Mobil Corporation. The family has lived in Houston, Texas, then Huntington, West Virginia, then Houston, Texas, then Aurora, Colorado, and back to Houston, Texas (in that order) during the span of thirty-seven years. Following her husband’s retirement in August 2009, they returned to Utah. Over those years, Harriet was actively involved in the schools her children attended, serving on PTO boards as president, treasurer, and chairman of a booster club as well as an officer of a school district’s parent’s council. She also was an officer of a local civic association. Harriet has served in many positions in her church, including Family History Center director and a member of the Regional Public Affairs Council, and she has fulfilled many leadership and teaching callings. She is a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP) and is currently serving as registrar on the International Board of DUP.

Supporting higher education has been part of Harriet’s life. She is pleased to continue that support through the creation of graduate and undergraduate scholarships and through her service to USU students, faculty, and staff via the the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Advancement Board and as a member of the Old Main Society.