USU Monument Valley dedicated

by David Boyle
News Director
Community members, educators, leaders and donors all gathered on April 22 for a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening for the new Utah State University building in Monument Valley.
The event celebrated the completion of the new educational 10,000 square foot facility in Monument Valley named Ólta´Bá Hooghan.
USU Deputy Vice President Kristian Olsen said the facility is the first non-English name building for USU, and the name means “Home of Learning” in the Diné language.
The celebration recognized years of work by a host of parties but leaders recognized it was the community that brought the need of a better building to the forefront.
Among those was USU student Valerina Adakai. 
For years students used the previous facility which had formerly been the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in the valley.
While the building served a purpose for a time administrators and elected officials recognized that the building was no longer up to par with flooding common in the building and electrical cords recognized as a hazard.
Adaki noted part of the concerns were raised for her when she was testing to become a nursing student. “I recall the testing center there where the walls were so thin I could barely concentrate.”
Adaki added the importance of testing for students to pass exams were part of the reason she thought the students ought to have a better facility. After touring the facility earlier that day, Adaki described it as beautiful.
“I love how it incorporates our Navajo culture, especially right when you enter. There’s actually a juniper tree that signifies growth and knowledge.
“There’s big windows on the East side where you can see the sunrise and our monuments as well. It’s beautiful in there. I think it’s going to create great opportunities for our children in the future.”
Adaki was able to use her education as a registered nurse to continue to work in Monument Valley at Utah Navajo Health Systems. In addition to her healing work, she is also able to help translate between elderly patients and other healthcare professionals.
She’s hopeful that the new building will offer locals the opportunity to stay and help their communities.
“Before, a lot of nursing classes are off the reservation and very few do get into the program and then when they do get in I feel like a lot of them start working off the reservation.
“Once in a great while some will come back to Monument Valley, Montezuma Creek, Navajo Mountain and even Blanding. So UNHS is always looking for nurses and I think this will bridge that gap.”
Speaking at the event, Olsen said that it was important for the building to represent the community.
“It really is a home of learning and this isn’t just for the students but this is a building for community members and we want the community to utilize the building utilizing the space for meetings and other events that may be held. And we want people to feel like it is their space.”
Among those recognized was Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, who helped champion the building and seek funding through the state legislature.
Henderson noted that when she and Governor Spencer Cox were elected, they adopted six pillars with one being opportunity.
Henderson said that the old building was unacceptable and the new building offers opportunity.
“The doors that are being opened today are not just doors into this new building. They are not just doors into a facility that is far better than the one they had or far closer to home.
“These are the doors to opportunity. These are the doors to the future. These are doors that are opening other doors for generations.
“We love everyone in this state. We love the people in Monument Valley and we know the people of Monument Valley deserve opportunity. They deserve education. They deserve the doors that are being opened to them.”
The building was built on land owned by the San Juan School District. With land coming at a premium in Monument Valley, the district’s agreement to set aside land for the project was key.
District superintendent Christine Fitzgerald highlighted the symbolism of the path of education along the district campus, noting teaching begins in the Hogan with a path continuing from there to the elementary school, on to the high school, and then to the new USU building.
“That’s part of what this USU building represents to me; is that community readiness. We can help our students know their identity, where they come from, and celebrate who they are and their language and their culture.
“We are excited for our students to continue to be San Juan ready and for that cycle to continue in this circle from the Hogan to USU and then back again when they have their own children come back.”
Utah Division of Indian Affairs Director Dustin Jansen highlighted the importance of education but also noted his own struggles being away from community when he went to college.
“I went back to school and finished. But it was through that community that helped me do it.
“In a time where universities are getting pushed out of diversity and equity and inclusion programs, it’s wonderful to see a university in a place where you don’t have to check your culture at the door.
“Everything you learn here, you’re going to see how you can put it to work in your community. Whether it be through the vocational technical education you get, through the health education you get to help in the hospitals and clinics in this area or just to be someone who has the knowledge to help each other be better, to be healthy, and to be happy.”
Recently appointed USU President Brad Mortensen joked he had little to do with the new building but added his commitment to the building and community moving forward.
“I’m just overwhelmed with today, as much as this is a celebration, is the solemn responsibility now to provide the educational opportunities that this dream is meant to fulfill.
“We have a lot of work to do, but please know that from my perspective as president of Utah State, we are committed to doing it.”
Navajo Nation Council Delegate Herman Daniels Jr. offered thanks to the many people involved in the project and added the work to make the building possible included advocation with the state government in Salt Lake City, as well as in his role on the Navajo Nation Council in Window Rock.
“It took me two rounds to go before the council to make this bill pass and at that time I had the Gouldings Lodge purchase legislation as well.
“Those two bills, Gouldings and this one, passed at the same time. So that was a history for this area.”
Daniels Jr added his thanks on behalf of the Navajo Nation Council and the Oljato Chapter.
“Utah leaders, San Juan County leaders, and others, community members, thank you for the support. You guys made this happen. It’s a dream come true.” 
USU VP of Advancement Matt White recognized the incredible work and potential the building represents.
“This new facility stands as a powerful reflection of what can happen when a university, a community, and committed partners come together with a shared purpose.
“Thank you to the State of Utah and the Navajo Nation and all our donors and supporters of this very important project.
“Your generosity has created a place where students will gain knowledge, build confidence, and shape futures that strengthen families and communities across this region.”
Among those recognized was the contributions from the Noorda Foundation. Board Member Brent Norda offered his thanks to partners for making the project possible.
“Finally, I want to thank you in advance to the instructors and students who will come through here to learn and acquire knowledge and training and skills for themselves for their careers, for their families and for our ever expanding and overlapping communities.”
The event also included traditional dances and songs performed by students from Tse’Bii’Nidzisgai Elementary, as well as a prayer from the building center coordinator Don Mose III.
The 10,000 square foot building features modern classrooms, computer labs, a nursing and CNA lab, a Career & Technical Education lab, small business development space, welding lab, areas for adult education and USU Extension, admin and faculty offices and spaces for public events.