The University of Utah is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, with around 30,000 students.

The institution was founded in 1850 as the University of Deseret, taking its name from the provisional state proposed by the Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormon, followers who founded Salt Lake City.

The institution changed its name to the University of Utah in 1892.

Today, the institution has an Asia Campus, on the Incheon Global Campus in South Korea.

Notable University of Utah alumni include Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, and J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott hotel chain.

Attractions on campus include the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, which doubles as a concert venue in summer.

Since 1907, a giant stone “U” has overlooked the campus from Mount Van Cott, at a height of 1600 metres, with lights that flash when the university’s sports teams win.

The university’s sports teams take the name “Utes” – and have done so with the support of the Ute Indian Tribe, which gives the state and institution their names, since 1972.

The university encourages supporters of its sports team to show understanding and respect towards the people of the tribe.