About Us

Discover. Engage. Celebrate.

At Utah State University in beautiful Logan, Utah

Enjoy an amazing summer with an array of great classes, tours, campus and community events, festivals and world class entertainment. While most USU students are getting a break from classes during the summer months, more than 800 senior citizens go back to school at Utah State University when the enroll in the Summer Citizens Program.

Now is the time to become a lifelong learner with the Summer Citizens Program at Utah State University.

Mission

The Summer Citizens program provides opportunities for the 55+ generation to discover, engage and celebrate life through lifelong learning activities at Utah State University in Logan, Utah and throughout the greater Cache Valley area.


History

Years ago, Ricks College in Rexburg, ID hosted a program called Sunbirds. The Sunbird program had a goal to provide continuing education and housing opportunities for the 55+ generation. On June 5, 1976 the Teton Earthen Dam ruptured, flooding the city of Rexburg and Ricks College, which hosted the Sunbird program. Due to the destruction of student housing and facilities on the Ricks College campus, the Sunbirds were now without a summer residence.

Utah State University opened its doors to the displaced Sunbirds. The Ricks College Sunbirds found both the university and the community so welcoming and friendly that many of them made plans to return to Logan the following summer in 1977.

Rebuilding Ricks College was a lengthy process and housing and educational opportunities for Sunbird senior citizens dwindled until the program eventually ceased to operate. Meanwhile, the Logan housing opportunity included additional properties for this displaced group of seniors seeking a summer retreat. The Summer Citizens Program was born due to this unfortunate set of circumstances which resulted in the development of a lifelong learning program for seniors in Logan, Utah.

As it developed, the Summer Citizens Program at Utah State University formed a partnership with Logan City and the Cache Chamber of Commerce. These organizations worked together to promote Logan, Utah as a summer destination for seniors seeking a moderate summer climate, a friendly environment, and cultural and educational experiences.

USU and community leaders began a recruiting trip each year to conduct presentations in the retirement communities in southern Arizona. This trip continues today to promote the program and housing options to members of the retired 55+ generation. A team of local partners, coordinated by the Summer Citizens Program Coordinator, includes representatives from Cache Valley Visitors Bureau, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theater, Lyric Repertory Company, and local housing sponsors.

With a thriving performing arts district, Logan, Utah, is a cultural hub for entertainment with live theater, first class opera, and a daily free noon concert in the Logan Tabernacle.