FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI TO BE HONORED AT SNOW COLLEGE

Snow to Honor Perry and Izola Blackham and Douglas Peterson at Convocation

EPHRAIM, Utah—October 28, 2002—Snow College today announced their 2002 distinguished alumni. They are the late Douglas Peterson from Manti who graduated from Snow in 1965 and Perry and Izola Blackham who graduated from Snow in 1942. Snow will honor these distinguished alumni at convocation Thursday, October 31 at 12:30 p.m. in the Crane Theatre on Snow’s main campus. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Douglas P. Peterson was born in Ephraim and grew up just one-half block from Snow College, where he roamed the campus at a very early age. He is the son of Peter and Bernice Peterson, brother of LaMar and Gary, father of Mitch, husband of Renee and friend to all.

As Doug grew up, there was never any question in his mind that he would attend Snow College. After graduating from Manti High School, he graduated from Snow College and then went on to BYU.

There wasn’t much of anything that Doug could not do. He was a mechanic, electrician, plumber, builder, cook, hunter, fisherman; you name it, Doug could do it. He became a very successful insurance representative, but his job as Director of Campus Security for ten years was his last and most important job.

Doug did not necessarily distinguish himself in his education or employment. It was his love of people and his sincerity, loyalty and friendliness that people remember most about him.

Doug’s love for the students could not be equaled. He gave them his heart and soul. He was a “true,” blue “Badger” and when he would go somewhere, he was always encouraging students to come to Snow. He was a great recruiter. A former Snow student body president, Melissa Lowry, said of Doug, “He always greeted me with a smile and a hug. His friendship has made me such a better person and one who wants to treat others as he did.”

Doug served an LDS mission to the Western States and served in many capacities in the Church. He influenced the lives of many students while on the Snow College Stake High Council for several years. At the time of his death, he was serving as ward clerk in the Snow College 11th ward.

But knowing all this about Doug, his most important treasures were his wife, Renee, and son, Mitch. He was a loving and devoted husband and father, a true hero to his wife and son. Doug passed away very suddenly on December 19, 1998, of a massive heart attack at the age of 58.

Perry and Izola Blackham were high school sweethearts. Instead of splitting up when Izola was offered a scholarship at BYU and Perry was offered one in Logan, they were married and went to Snow College.

Perry was raised on a farm in Moroni. He milked eight cows by hand every morning before he left for high school. Perry graduated from Snow College in 1942 and planned to further his education, but he chose to stay in Moroni and help his ailing father. Perry continued his father’s work raising hay, sheep, cattle and turkeys. He and his cousin, Howard Blackham brought the first Charolais cattle into the state of Utah. They consistently raised championship show and stock cattle.

Perry worked on the Soil Conservation Board for many years. He was given the Goodyear Conservation Award for his outstanding accomplishments in resource conservation. Perry served many years as a scoutmaster and in other LDS church callings.

When Izola entered high school, she was most interested in commercial subjects. She attended many contests throughout the country and state. She was awarded first place in shorthand at a state contest. Izola’s first job was at Stilwell’s store in Fountain Green, Utah. The store was allowed to keep its ice cream fountain open on Sundays so people could have a Sunday treat. She worked 7 days a week for the total sum of $10, or approximately $40 a month!

During the war, Izola worked as the head bookkeeper for the Parachute Plant located in Manti, Utah. Her career began at Moroni Feed Company when her oldest child enrolled at Snow College and her youngest began kindergarten. Izola retired from Moroni Feed after serving over 30 years. Izola is devoted to her LDS faith and is most proud of her family.

Perry and Izola have six children: Elaine, Sandra, Lewis, Lorele, Camille and

Virgel; 21 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Snow College

Snow College, founded in 1888, serves approximately 2,800 students at its Ephraim campus, and approximately 600 students at its Richfield campus. The college provides general education and applied technology programs leading to

Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Pre-Engineering degrees, and certificates of completion in a number of occupational areas. Once owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, Snow College became a state college in 1932.

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