There’s something perfectly pungent about a used bookstore. That combination of dust, history and shelves has a sort of aroma bordering aphrodisiac. Some books carry a few generation’s worth of acid-free paper, carbon-dating the literacy of former owners only according to a body’s natural oils mixed with the subtle impressions of many fingers swabbed by the tongue to turn page corners.

[note of print publication to readers of this story — due to publication deadlines, the Wilson Sorenson announcement and tribute will be featured in the first issue of the fall semester, on stands Aug. 24]

Wilson Sorenson, former president of UVU, has passed away at 92, a few days before his 93rd birthday.

Boston stares away from Orem at a roughly 2500 miles. Italy, much farther. Luckily, a man named Nicola DellaCioppa Jr. has transplanted a little slice of both to the happy confines of the Orem/Provo area. That slice, (offering slices) is Nicolitalia Pizzeria, which provides – per its tagline – “Homemade Boston Italian Style” pizza.

A whistle gathered the athletics department staff for the announcement years in the making – that of the notification from NCAA officials informing UVU Director of Athletics Mike Jacobsen of the unanimous approval to lift UVU from provisional status to full-fledged membership.

Kyle Reyes has accepted the position as Director of Student Success and Retention. Reyes moves into his new position enthusiastically, though with tongue-in-cheek analysis he says, “My job really shouldn’t exist.” His reasoning is that every office around campus does a fine job specializing in its particular facet; each office supporting every aspect along each student’s educational pathway.

Pres. Matthew Holland was given the ceremonial key to the university last Wednesday as another finishing touch in his transition to his role as president. The key was passed to Holland by Elizabeth Hitch, who served as interim president in place of Pres. Bill Sederburg, who made the decision to move onto his new role as Utah’s Commissioner of Higher Education last summer.