SUU Opens Joe and Beverly Burgess Family Business Center

Southern Utah University (SUU) marked a major milestone for the local business community with the official opening of the Joe and Beverly Burgess Family Business Center. This new facility will offer mentorship, networking, and business support for students and the broader community. At the ribbon-cutting, university leaders thanked the Burgess family for their generous gift and ongoing commitment to economic growth and innovation in Iron County.

The Center’s mission is to help local entrepreneurs develop business plans, access funding, and connect with experienced mentors. It will also host regular workshops and guest speaker events open to the public. “Our goal is to make entrepreneurship accessible for every student and community member with a dream,” noted Director Jamie Robbins during the ceremony.

The facility is specifically designed to create an atmosphere charged with opportunity. Highlights of the new space include:

• Professional Sales Center: A state-of-the-art environment for developing essential communication and negotiation skills.

• Dedicated Career Services Center: Connecting students to the right people and resources from the moment they begin their SUU journey.

• William and Patricia Child Gathering Space: A central hub on the main floor intended for networking, student clubs, and recruiting events.

• Enhanced Accessibility: The Alan and Kathy Hamlin Skybridge links the new center to the existing business building, fostering collaboration between faculty and students.

• Academic Support: 38 additional faculty offices, dedicated study areas, and a student lounge for expanding graduate programs (MACC, MSBA, and MBA).

Several local businesses have already signed up to participate in the Center’s pilot programs. Testimonials from recent SUU graduates highlighted how crucial university resources can be for launching new ventures in Cedar City.

“This Center will be a game-changer not only for our campus but for the entire region,” said Chamber of Commerce President Laura Dalton. “It reinforces SUU’s place as a driver of innovation and prosperity for all of Southern Utah.”