Weber State University

While Adam Gardiner’s career in Utah politics was taking off, it became challenging to balance work and a growing family with earning his degree.

In the 2010s, he decided to take a break from earning his political science and international studies degree at Weber State, re-enrolled, and then dropped out a second time.

“I resigned myself to never getting my degree, that it was not an option for me, and I was OK with that,” Gardiner said. “I put it out of my mind for years.”

Gardiner served as a state representative, Salt Lake County recorder, and state director for Sen. Mitt Romney. He also managed Rob Bishop's successful 2010 congressional campaign in Washington D.C. — all before earning a college degree.

Though he was in the midst of a successful career, he had a “nagging feeling” of wanting to complete his degree. Political science professor Leah Murray helped show him it was possible.

“Her exact words were, ‘Dude, we got to get you graduated,’” Gardiner said, smiling.

Murray and other WSU employees developed a plan for him to graduate in a year and three semesters. Gardiner took 18 credits per semester and finished ahead of the timeline, all while working through a busy legislative session and balancing fatherhood.

“I have to credit my professors, especially that last semester, who understood what my career was and understood how hard it was for me to finish,” Gardiner said. “They gave me a flexible timeline for turning things in. That was really hard, but really fulfilling.”

In spring 2026, Gardiner graduated with his bachelor’s degree and plans to pursue a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Utah in the fall.

For students like him who have families or careers, Gardiner’s advice is not to give up.

“A really proud moment is that my four kids saw me doing this,” Gardiner said. “They saw me doing homework, they saw me working at it, and they saw me graduate. So was that worth it? Yup.”

Celebrate Juneteenth this weekend at the 37th annual Utah Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Ogden!

One of the longest-running Juneteenth celebrations in the state, the Freedom Festival commemorates the day African Americans in Texas learned they were free, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Live entertainment, education programming, youth activities and more will be held from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at the Ogden City Amphitheater.

He's the coolest cat in town. 😎

Happy National Mascot Day to our favorite wildcat, Waldo!

Jump-start your auto career with Weber State's Automative Service Service Technology Fast Track program. 🚗

Built for working adults with busy daytime schedules, this nightly, hands-on program gives you experience diagnosing, servicing, and repairing today's modern vehicles.

Aligned with ASE industry standards, this accelerated program helps students prepare for ASE certification exams. Learn more and apply at https://heyor.ca/0wtSNx

Darcy Carter, a longtime educator and administrator with two decades of experience at Weber State, has been named the new dean of the Weber State University Dumke College of Health Professions.

“The College of Health Professions has such a strong tradition of excellence, and I’m really honored to build upon that as a dean,” Carter said.

Beginning July 1, Carter will take the reins from Dean Yasmen Simonian, who’s retiring at the end of the month after a 45-year career with the university.

She’ll oversee the university’s largest academic college, which offers credentials ranging from certificates and associate degrees to bachelor’s and doctorates. The college has about 5,200 students majoring in healthcare fields and is a top provider of health professionals in Utah.

“A great college is really built through shared vision, strong partnerships, and commitment to helping other people succeed,” Carter said. “And I’m so excited to work in an environment where I can help people thrive and feel supported as we shape the future of healthcare.”

Carter has held numerous leadership positions throughout her career at WSU, including her most recent role as associate dean for the College of Health Professions. Before that, she was the School of Health Administrative Services chair, the Master of Health Administration program director, and the Office of Graduate Studies curriculum chair.

Her experience spans clinical coordination, internship and capstone management, and leadership across all levels of education.

“I’ve seen that the College of Health Professions changes people’s lives,” Carter said. “It prepares them for meaningful and rewarding careers. And those careers impact the lives of patients, their families, and community members that our students go on to serve.”

Carter said she looks forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, alumni, healthcare partners, and the community to continue creating new opportunities together.

Have you ever wondered just how hot it gets on 25th Street in the summer?

Dan Bedford, a geography professor at Weber State University, is studying the urban heat island effect around downtown Ogden. For many cities, summer means sunbaked sidewalks and asphalt the radiate the day’s heat.

“Urban areas heat up more than the surrounding countryside,” Bedford said. “Research has reached the point where we can measure how and why this varies block by block. I was really curious to see what kind of patterns we would find in Ogden.”

Bedford partnered with the city to place 14 thermometers on lamp posts along 24th and 25th streets, between Washington Boulevard and Wall Avenue, and on several connecting streets.

He focused on downtown Ogden, since it’s the hub for Farmers Market Ogden, Ogden Twilight, and other popular summertime outdoor activities. The thermometers recorded temperatures every 15 minutes from June through September 2025.

During the Farmers Market, which is held throughout the summer from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hottest recorded temperatures along 25th Street averaged 93 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak afternoon temperatures on 25th Street during the study hit 102 degrees.

Bedford said his data can help with that planning, informing decisions like where to focus efforts and how to maximize comfort in outdoor spaces.

Lorenzo Long, Ogden City’s sustainability coordinator, collaborated on the research. He said the data helped the city develop messaging and strategies for Ogden’s forthcoming general plan, which addresses growth and a vision for the city’s future.

“This work continues to influence city conversations,” Long said. “I’m grateful for the time spent and expertise provided by Dr. Bedford, and I look forward to future collaborations with Weber State that benefit Ogden residents, students, businesses, and visitors, making our city more resilient for decades to come."