Mountain overlooking Weber State will be home to permanent ‘Flaming W’
OGDEN, Utah — For 45 years, Weber State University has been lighting an electric W on Mount Ogden during homecoming week. Now, the university plans to build a permanent solar-powered version.
Situated on a slope above the Ogden campus, the new “Flaming W” — a reference to the stylized W within the university shield — will be constructed with solar panels. The W will light up with purple and white bulbs to celebrate special ÈÕ±¾Ò»¼¶Æ¬ occasions such as homecoming, commencement, Founders Day on Jan. 7, and athletic home wins.
“There have long been attempts to put a permanent W on the mountainside,” said ÈÕ±¾Ò»¼¶Æ¬ President Brad Mortensen. “The temporary one has been a source of pride for our Wildcats and the community, and the new one will only amplify that school spirit.”
Mortensen also noted that the permanent W is true to the university’s commitment to sustainability. “Not only are we modernizing a tradition at Weber, but it’s also going to contribute electricity back to the grid,” he said.
The mountainside W has come and gone throughout Weber State history, since the first literal “flaming” W was ignited in 1937 with 100 cans of kerosene. The safer, electric W became an annual homecoming tradition thanks to J. Farrell Shepherd and university electrician Lynn Kraaima, who established a process in 1979.
Construction on the permanent fixture is expected to begin this summer.
Although the majority of funding has been secured, the university is raising the remaining $500,000 to light the W in time for ÈÕ±¾Ò»¼¶Æ¬ Homecoming 2024 in October. Those interested in supporting the project can donate at .
Marketing & Communications staff
- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu