University of Utah

The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U) was established by Mormon leader Brigham Young. Initially named "University of Deseret" in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 28, 1850, the school was closed two years later for financial reasons. It reopened as a commercial school in 1867 in the old Council House in what is now downtown Salt Lake City under the direction of Elder David O. Calder, a prominent Salt Lake City businessman and associate of Mormon prophet Brigham Young. The University was renamed University of Utah in 1894 and classes were first held on the present campus approximately two miles directly east of downtown Salt Lake City in 1900.

Famous alumni

• Mike Anderson - NFL runningback
• Andre Dyson - NFL wide receiver
• Kevin Dyson - NFL wide receiver
• Brady Howell
• Jon Huntsman, Sr.
• Karl Rove (attended, but did not graduate)
• John Warnock - Co-founder of Adobe Systems
• James H. Clark - Founder, Silicon Graphics
• Edwin Catmull - Co-founder of Pixar
• Alex Smith - San Francisco 49ers Quarterback, 1st overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.
• J. Willard Marriott and Alice Marriott
• Gordon Bitner Hinckley - President LDS church