shadow

USU Brigham City Campus News

USU Brigham City 2009/2010 Student Government Leaders

Jul 15, 2009

Clair Hawkins is the Utah State University Brigham City student government president for the 2009/2010 academic year. He is looking forward to helping students on our campus and has many plans for benefits and activities.

Clair was born in and raised on the King Ranch in Texas. When asked, he says, “Yes, that King Ranch; the one where movies were made and the namesake of the Ford King Ranch pickup.” His father was the animal physiologist for the ranch. Clair loved the wide open space and being close [only two miles] from the coast. “I love the brush and wildlife. I like flat because I know I can get to the other side. The mountains are just in the way.”

While Clair was in high school, his father took a position on a ranch in Idaho and he moved to Blackfoot, Idaho.  While in high school, he worked in automotive diagnostics and repair. He says, “I love working with cars; it is my hobby.”  His work in automotive diagnostics and repair garnered him two state titles and a 10th-place overall nationwide award.

Following graduation, Clair worked for a year and then went on an LDS mission to St. Petersburg, Russia. As a benefit of serving his mission, he speaks fluent Russian. He would love to keep that skill…so if you speak Russian, he would love to meet you.

Clair initially planned to attend Utah State University on the Logan Campus, because, he states, “Utah State University has one of the best engineering programs.” However, after marrying, his grandmother [who was moving] invited him and his new bride to live in her home. So, they moved to Honeyville. Since the campus was so close, they both decided to attend Utah State University Brigham City. While attending Utah State University Brigham City, Clair works as a facilities assistant at the campus.

After graduation from Utah State University, Clair hopes to take his wife, McKinizie, back to Texas. He mentions, “I hope to start an engineering/machining company -- a company that would both engineer and produce parts.” He continues, “McKinzie is good with it [living in Texas]. She was not too excited at the prospect at first, but following our honeymoon to Texas, she changed her mind.”

The student government vice-president for the 2009 / 2010 academic year is McKinzie Hawkins. In this role, she would like to help students become more aware of how convenient the Brigham City campus is. She expresses, “I love it here [Utah State University Brigham City] and would like others to know how great it is.” 

McKinzie was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She is the younger of two children; she has an older brother. After graduating from high school, her plan was to attend BYU Idaho. But then…along came Clair!  After their marriage, she decided to come to Utah State University Brigham City with him. 

McKinzie is an elementary education major. She says, “As a child, me and my friends would play school and I just loved it. I have always loved being around children so I decided to become a teacher.” 

As part of her preparation to become a teacher, she took a position in the Little Brigham Aggies Early Care and Education Center as a child care instructor. There, McKinzie prepares lesson plans, plays with the children, and helps foster the children’s learning. About her job she states, “I love it there; it is tons of fun!” 

When she is not studying or working, McKinzie likes to target practice and shoot clay pigeons. She also like to fish. When asked about having any ‘girl hobbies,’ she says, “Oh yah, I love to shop for shoes.” 

Following graduation, she says, “I would really like to be a mom and live in Texas!” 

Both Clair and McKinzie are excited about the 2009-2010 school year at Utah State University in Brigham City.  They are working on activities and events already and want to hold a student dance in conjunction with the student LDSSA club.  If you are interested in helping with student activities, or have ideas that would benefit students at Utah State University Brigham City, please contact either Clair at clair.hawkins@aggiemail.usu.edu or McKinzie at mckinzie.hawkins@aggiemail.usu.edu .