Aggies…here, there & everywhere

The Utah State University Alumni Association will present the first ever Aggie Homecoming Weekend during homecoming week, September 20–26. Come back to Logan and relive memories as you stroll across the Quad with one of the many campus tours, meet us Friday at midnight on the ‘A’ for True Aggie Night, or simply enjoy a scoop of Famous Aggie Ice Cream.

This year many new activities for Aggies of all ages have been added, including both the Silver Aggie Reunion (1983–1985) and the Young Alumni Mixer (1999–2008) and classes without quizzes, featuring Eric Hipple '80, Dr. Alan K. Parrish '68 and Dr. Ross Peterson '65. The Golden Aggie reunion tradition will continue as the class of 1959 is welcomed back and this year we've added the Golden Aggie Society for those who graduated prior to 1959.

Saturday's Homecoming Parade will be led by Grand Marshal Eric Hipple '80, former Aggie football player and author, and includes other Homecoming Dignitaries: Alumni of the Year Gary and Karen Black '63 and '65 Attender, and Young Alumnus of the Year Charisse Bremond Weaver '87. All alumni are invited to the Ag Day Barbecue to sample some of Utah's finest agricultural products and then end the week by cheering on the Aggies at the first home football game of the season led by new coach Gary Andersen.

Whether you are an Aggie “here” in Cache Valley and along the Wasatch Front, “there” across the nation, or “everywhere” in more than 80 countries around the world, you are the heart of the Utah State University community. This week is for alumni and we hope all Aggies come home for the first Aggie Homecoming Weekend. You can find more information about Aggie Homecoming weekend at: www.usu.edu/homecoming. See you there!

Returning home to help celebrate our Aggie best

Eric Hipple: Homecoming Grand Marshal

Eric Hipple '80 is a former NFL quarterback whose 10–year career was spent entirely with the Detroit Lions. His accomplishments include two playoff bids and a divisional championship. In addition, he was named Most Valuable Player for the 1981 season, and his jersey hangs in the Canton Hall of Fame for a Monday Night Football debut deemed best in NFL history. He is ranked fifth in all–time career passing yards in the Detroit record books.

After his football career, Eric worked as a freelance sports field reporter and was an analyst for the Fox Network's local pre–game show from 1995 to 2000. He has been featured in television's “Home Improvement,” “Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer,” and played a part in the Bear Bryant movie.

Since his retirement from the Detroit Lions, Eric has been a professional motivational speaker and works as a sales consultant. Eric's public speaking work shifted to topics of depressive disorder awareness and treatment, and to suicide prevention in 2000, after the tragic death of his 15–year–old son to suicide.

Eric currently serves on the board of the American Association of Suicidology. He works at the University of Michigan's Depression Center as Outreach Coordinator. Born in Texas and raised in California, he attended Utah State University and graduated in business administration with a computer science option. After graduation, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions. Eric and his family remain in Michigan and call it home.

Eric has recently authored a book, “Real Men DO Cry,” which chronicles his life as an NFL Quarterback from youth to his current position and his struggle with suicide loss and his own depression. His story is one of hope and recovery. Offering education as well as practical advice, it serves to help others live and enjoy life again.

Gary and Karen Black: Alumni of the Year

Gary '63 and Karen Black '65Att met while attending the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State in the 1960s. Gary graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 1963. Since their time at USU, both Gary and Karen have shared ample success in the professional world. Although they both lead busy professional lives, the Blacks have never allowed that to detract from their family or civic efforts.

Gary is the current owner of Black Agri Land, SL–TB Holdings, and Condies Foods. Actively involved in the food industry, Gary is a founding member of International Fresh–Cut Produce Association. He currently sits on the United Fresh Produce Association Education and Research board in Washington, D.C. He is also a member of the McDonalds Produce Council. Gary has remained an active member of the School of Business community. A long–time member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, he serves on the School of Business National Advisory Board. In 2002 Gary received the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Distinguished Executive Alumnus award.

As co–owner of Condies Foods, Karen also serves on the company's board of directors. She is also the founder and owner of A Basket of Treasures. In addition, she is the owner of Karen's Ceramics, through which she has taught ceramics in Utah and Salt Lake counties for 25 years. Karen is a past PTA president, past guild president of The Children's Museum of Utah, past board member of The Children's Museum of Utah, and board member of The Ronald McDonald House. She worked for 20 years with the Festival of Trees and was on the founders committee for The Children's Museum of Utah. Karen has received the Hearts and Hands Award twice, and currently serves on the corporate committee for The Ronald McDonald House, where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 2001.

For over two decades, the Blacks have continuously supported Utah State. As members of the Old Main Society, Gary and Karen have kept close ties with the university. Gary is also member of the Old Main President's Circle. In 2005 the Blacks established the Gary Black and Karen Walton Black Endowment and Scholarship in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. True Aggies, through and through, the Blacks have watched their four children, Scott Black, Lorie Black Longaker, Traci Black Smith and Brittany Black Uberti all attend USU. The Blacks have 15 grandchildren and enjoy traveling — especially their annual trip to a remote fly–in fishing lodge. Karen both plays tennis and works with a personal trainer “a couple of times a week” and Gary, who began his days at USU as a botany major, continues to enjoy the pampered plants in his flower garden.

Charisse Bremond Weaver: Young Alumnus of the Year

In 2006, Charisse Bremond Weaver '87 assumed the presidency of the Brotherhood Crusade, the community service and development organization founded by her late father, Walter Bremond, in 1968. As the first woman to ever hold this post, she set out to maintain the organization's reputation as a powerful, established voice for a community that has periodically erupted under the pressures of socioeconomic inequality and institutionalized injustice.

Bremond Weaver retraces familiar territory and simultaneously blazes uncharted frontiers when observers note her pioneering status in leading the Brotherhood Crusade. She has established her own distinguishing trademark, her ability to build corporate and community partnerships that result in long–term relationships with government officials, corporate executives and community leaders. As a consequence, she has generated over $20 million that has subsequently been used to provide services and support nonprofit institutions in the areas of health, economic development, education and social welfare.

As a testament to her continued commitment, Charisse has received awards from “Turning Point Magazine,” A. Philip Randolph Institute Los Angeles, Jenesse Center (Circle of Excellence), LAAAW PAC (Power PAC), and numerous other fine organizations. Her inspiring work was featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Utah State magazine, http://www.utahstate.usu.edu/spring2009/feature2.cfm