The history of USU’s Luminary

In August 2016, the first annual Luminary at Utah State University began. Since then, students in the Connections course have had the opportunity to participate on the Friday before the semester starts. 

“Many schools have a meaningful ritual for their incoming students to mark the commencement of their time at the university,” said Lisa Simmons, the senior director of new student enrollment.  

The Connections committee felt that USU should have one such ritual as well, according to Simmons.  

“We wanted something with gravitas, pomp, and ceremony,” Simmons said. “We talked a lot about creating a ‘Harry Potter’ moment.”

The process of developing the Luminary wasn’t a quick one.  

“The Connections committee had been discussing options for a ritual for many years,” Simmons said. “We wanted to generate excitement around starting the college experience together and ending the college experience together.” 

Eventually, the team was able to work together to develop a tradition that they felt emphasized the feeling of community at USU.  

“It would clearly mark that our students were embarking on something unique and exciting at USU,” Simmons said.  

The first step was getting all of the faculty prepared.  

“We invited the faculty to wear their academic regalia,” Simmons said. “We also invited the faculty senate president to carry the university mace and lead the procession with the president.” 

Then, to bring the spirit alive, the artistic details were finalized. The Scotsman Pipe Band was invited to play for the procession, and the final lanterns and lights — after dozens of variations — were decided on by the Student Orientation & Transition Services office. 

“Prior to the first Luminary, we were a little nervous about whether this would translate into the impactful event that we had envisioned,” Simmons said.  

However, a tradition was born after the first Luminary quickly proved to be a student favorite. 

“About halfway through the event, we realized it was going to be a success,” Simmons said. 

The ceremony begins with students gathering in the Spectrum. They listen to a speech by Harrison Kleiner, the associate vice provost, and then they file onto the Quad to take a photo in the shape of the Block A.  

Following this, the Eastern and Blanding campuses join via video to listen to the president deliver remarks before the A on top of Old Main turns blue. 

Kleiner, the opening speaker, has been part of the Connections team for more than 10 years. 

 “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the Luminary tradition as a speaker,” Kleiner wrote in an email to the Statesman. “We know this program is making a difference for students.” 

The Luminary has become something that students look forward to, and not just because it’s an exciting close to the Connections experience. 

“The pomp and circumstance of the event helps them start their college experience with their graduation goal in mind,” Kleiner wrote. “It also affirms the dignity and importance of the higher education experience they are about to commence.” 

 Although the event has remained largely the same since the first Luminary in 2016, Simmons pointed out a couple of notable changes.  

“In 2017, faculty, staff, and community members were invited to hold blue lanterns and cheer the students as they process to the quad,” she said.  

Also, 2021 marked the first year the Eastern and Blanding campuses joined in. 

“This tradition has grown and is now a nice way for people to kick off the school year and welcome the incoming class,” Simmons said. 

Kleiner believes the tradition and the “incredible energy” of students elevate each other.  

“Students have embraced the Luminary,” Kleiner wrote. “It is helping them be more successful at USU and beyond.”