Photos: 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Over the past decade, the UIT Holiday Party has been held at a variety of venues on and off campus, from the Post Theater in Fort Douglas to the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns.

On December 16, 2024, the annual event returned to Rice-Eccles Stadium following a seven-year absence. This time, instead of the Varsity Room on the west side, which hosted the event from 2015-2017, the party shifted to the south-facing Suite Lounge of the Ken Garff University Club. The club is part of an $80 million stadium expansion completed in 2021 that included hospitality and hosting areas, a restaurant, and luxury suites.

Steve Hess and Donna Roach, respective chief information officers for the University of Utah and University of Utah Health, kicked things off with words of appreciation for the hard work and collaboration of UIT employees over the past year. Their remarks were followed by a holiday buffet that featured herb and garlic red skin mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables, herb-roasted turkey with giblet gravy, prime rib roast with horseradish cream, and various desserts, as well as alternative options for guests with dietary restrictions.

Guests were treated to doorbuster prizes — U-branded cell phone stands by University Print & Mail Services — two rounds of prize giveaways, and a festive sweater contest coordinated by Digital Learning Technologies staff members Jareth Archer, Melody Carver, Tamar Castillo, Holly K. Johnson, and Tony Sams. The three top vote-getters received 3D-printed gold, silver, and bronze “medals” created by Archer.

The more pom-poms, lights, and ornaments, the better. From traditional to over-the-top, themes included Santa-hatted sloths and cats, the Peanuts, Herriman Yeti, a couple Grinches, and holiday takes on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Deadpool, Rick and Morty, and Elf, among others.

The gold medal winner ultimately had his wife to thank for his jolly getup.

“I can’t in good conscience take the credit, this was all her,” said Warren Malupo, whose wife selected a vibrant red “Merry Christmas” sweater and string of holiday lights for him to wear. Scott Wilgar’s “Ho Ho Ho” blazer earned the silver, while Tamara Johnson’s “Stranger Things”-themed sweater nabbed the bronze.

UIT Leadership would like to thank the following people who pitched in to help make the party a success:

• Volunteers: Craig Bennion, Benjamin Bushell, Gary Carter, Amy Ellett, James Harris, Jan Lovett, Warren Malupo, Thanh Q. Nguyen, Roy Schulz, Jeff Shuckra, and Sherilyn Stephens
• Party planning and management: Jesse Drake, Patrick Harris, Larrisa Turner, and Cassandra Van Buren

From everyone in UIT, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season.

Below are additional images from the event (photos courtesy of Craig Bennion, Jesse Drake, and Thanh Q. Nguyen):

Jan Lovett signs in a guest at the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Dylan Pocock checks in

Sherilyn Stephens

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Dessert trays

Jim Urry

Guests enjoyed a unique view of the football field

Prime rib roast

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Roy Schulz, center

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Jon Thomas, right

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

L-R: Donna Roach and Steve Hess give introductory remarks

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

L-R: Abraham Kololli and John Nielson

L-R: Susan Schaefer and Brian Harris

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

L-R: Ryan Terry and Ben Poster

Dax Christensen (green, white, and red hoodie) at the buffet line at the 2024 UIT Holiday Party 

Judy Yeates 

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Craig Bennion

3D printed medals were awarded to the festive sweater contest winners

Scene from the 2024 UIT Holiday Party

Scott Wilgar

Josh Gross 

L-R: Warren Malupo, Tamara Johnson, and Scott Wilgar