On February 27, during the USU-Eastern Donor Appreciation Dinner, the Heavy Equipment and Trucking Department was dedicated to former Associate Professor, Jordan W. Hatch. Those in attendance enjoyed a video presentation in honor of him before family and former colleagues took to the podium to say a few words.

Hatch had been with the Heavy Equipment and Trucking department for almost 16 years before his untimely death in 2012. It was his own personal experience as a truck driver for five years that factored in to making the program a huge success. He came into the job with the college wholeheartedly, at a time that many individuals in the area had been laid off due to the closure of the Willow Creek Mine. He was blessed that many of those displaced coal miners came through his program to learn a new trade. He wanted nothing more than for his students to become successful, remain in the area and earn a living so that they could provide for their own families. It was not just a job to him, he loved what he was doing, he enjoyed making a difference in people’s lives, but he was most proud that he could contribute to the progress of his community.

Those who knew Hatch saw that he was a very hard and dedicated worker, which is why he was so successful at his second job as a cattleman. After a full day of instruction at the college, he would head to Emery County where he shared a home with his wife, Joel and their two children to tend to his cows and other chores on the farm. It was through his love for ranching that he held several titles with agricultural organizations such as Young Farmers and Ranchers for Emery County Farm Bureau, held a seat on the RAC Board, served as Vice President for Emery County Farm Bureau and at the time of his death he was elected to the Utah Farm Bureau State Board of Directors.

Hatch’s widow, Joel remained in the family home and took on the responsibilities of caring for their animals. She was able to do so with the assistance of family and close friends, without their help it would have been impossible. She continued to work and commute to Price, where she drove by the Heavy Equipment and Trucking Department on a daily basis, she often times would refer to it as “Jordan’s school.” It was those times that she wanted nothing more than his legacy to be remembered, especially when it came to his job with the college. She contacted the administration at the university to pitch the idea and they were on board from the get go.

Hatch was an alumnus of the College of Eastern Utah, where he earned his Associate Degree and then moved to Logan to obtain his bachelor’s degree at Utah State University. It was the family’s wishes to also set up an Endowment Scholarship at USU-Eastern in his memory. The scholarship has been established to financially assist a student in the Heavy Equipment and Trucking program.

The next time citizens are driving south towards Emery County, take a look at the sign that bares the name of a dedicated, hard-working individual, who loved nothing more than his job as a professor and cowboying in his downtime. If you had the privilege of knowing him, you would know there is no doubt that he is smiling down, a bit embarrassed, but beaming from ear to ear that he has been remembered in such a wonderful way.

To view the video presentation that was shared at the USU-Eastern Donor Appreciation Dinner click on the following link https://usu.app.box.com/s/6540a52xq1wtx9amiz5p9vylyxc7ks8f