If you spend any time in Orem, you've probably seen the "Wolverine Green" everywhere. It’s a vibe. But for a long time, there was this weird, lingering stereotype that Utah Valley University was just a "backup" school or a place where people went when they couldn't get into the Y down the street. Honestly, that narrative is so outdated it’s basically ancient history at this point.
The reality? Utah Valley University notable alumni are quietly (and sometimes very loudly) running some of the biggest companies in the country, winning Olympic medals, and literally changing the face of Broadway. We aren’t talking about a handful of lucky breaks either. We’re talking about a massive network of over 115,000 former students who are making moves in tech, entertainment, and professional sports.
The Tech Giants and Business Mavericks
You might not recognize the name Blake Modersitzki immediately, but if you use the internet, you’ve felt his influence. As the managing partner at Pelion Venture Partners, he’s been the engine behind companies like Cloudflare and Domo. He’s a UVU alum who didn’t just "get a job"—he started funding the future.
Then there’s Roy Banks, class of '96. This guy is a legend in the C-suite world. He’s a U.S. Navy veteran who turned into a powerhouse CEO, building billions of dollars in enterprise value over a 30-year career. It’s kind of wild to think he started in the same classrooms where students are currently stressing over accounting midterms.
- Brandon Fugal: You probably know him as the high-energy owner of Skinwalker Ranch (yes, the one from the History Channel). He's also the chairman of Colliers International in Utah.
- Lex Nevin: Ever heard of Dressed in Lala? She’s a 2016 grad who turned a passion for bold, "loud" fashion into a massive e-commerce empire.
- Steve Sonnenberg: The founder of Awardco. His story is the ultimate "grit" example. He started a company, saw it crash, and then built Awardco into one of the fastest-growing companies in America.
From Orem to the Bright Lights of Entertainment
If you’re a fan of Hamilton, you’ve seen a Wolverine in action. Thayne Jasperson is a notable alum who was part of the original Broadway cast of the biggest musical of our generation. He didn't just stop there; he’s been in Newsies, Matilda, and even High School Musical.
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It’s not just the stage, though. Chelsie Hightower became a household name on Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. People forget she honed those skills right here in the valley.
And for the reality TV junkies—remember Jef Holm? He won season 8 of The Bachelorette. Whether you love or hate reality TV, you can't deny the school produces people who know how to command a screen. Even Andrew Hales, the "LAHWF" YouTuber known for his awkward social experiments, spent time at UVU before his channel blew up.
The Olympic Grit and Pro Sports Scene
UVU has a "dual-mission" model, which basically means they care about vocational skills just as much as academic ones. That practical, "get it done" attitude shows up in their athletes.
Take Akwasi Frimpong. He’s a 2013 marketing grad. He also happened to be Ghana’s first-ever skeleton Olympian. Think about that. He went from running track in Orem to sliding face-first down an ice track at 80 miles per hour on the world stage.
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- Noelle Pikus-Pace: A World Cup gold medalist and Olympic silver medalist in Skeleton. She’s essentially the queen of the ice and a major point of pride for the university.
- Christopher Fogt: Another bobsledder who took home a silver medal. There’s something about UVU and winter sports that just works.
- Ronnie Price: He’s probably the most famous basketball alum. He played in the NBA for 12 years, suiting up for the Jazz, Lakers, and Suns. He proved that you don't need to be at a "Blue Blood" school to make it to the league.
Why the UVU "Success Story" Is Different
Most people think "notable alumni" only counts if you have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But at UVU, the impact is more about the local engine. About 77% of alumni still live in Utah ten years after graduation.
That’s a staggering number.
It means the people building the houses, running the hospitals, and launching the startups in Silicon Slopes are likely Wolverines. Diane Acevedo, for instance, went from a Spanish degree at UVU to being the Senior VP of Operations at Gabb Wireless. She’s one of those "first-generation" success stories that the school loves to highlight, and for good reason.
The school has grown from a vocational center in the 40s to a massive university with nearly 45,000 students. That growth wasn't an accident. It happened because the alumni actually get hired. Companies like Clyde Companies and Vivint (where alum Casey Baugh was a major player) specifically look for that UVU work ethic.
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Real Talk: The Limitations
Look, we have to be honest. UVU isn't Harvard. If you want a career in high-stakes international diplomacy or theoretical physics, there might be other paths. But for "engaged learning"—the kind where you actually do the stuff you're studying—it's hard to beat.
Some critics used to say the open-enrollment policy "watered down" the prestige. But if you look at Matthew S. Petersen, who became the Chairman of the Federal Election Commission, or Daniel Elliott, the current Indiana State Treasurer, that argument sort of falls apart. Success seems to depend more on the person than the "exclusivity" of the gatekeepers.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Alums
If you're a current student or thinking about heading to Orem, don't just coast. The most successful Utah Valley University notable alumni all have one thing in common: they used the "Engaged Learning" model to their advantage.
- Network in the Slopes: Don't wait until graduation. Reach out to alumni at Pelion or Awardco while you're still in class.
- Use the Wolverine Link: The alumni association has a massive database. Use it.
- Visit the Noorda: If you’re in the arts, the Noorda Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class facility. Use the space to build a portfolio that stands up to New York standards.
Success at UVU isn't about the name on the diploma—it's about the fact that the school stays out of your way and lets you build whatever you're brave enough to start. Whether that's a cookie empire or a career on Broadway, the blueprint is already there.
To get started on your own path, you should check out the UVU Alumni Association's mentoring program, which connects current students directly with the pros mentioned above. It's a low-pressure way to see if your career goals actually match the reality of the industry.