University of Utah Students Bowl With Elder-in-Residence

The Lanes of Learning event pairs Native American students with the university's Elder-in-Residence during Native American Heritage Month.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Native American

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a bowling lane leading to white pins under warm light, evoking a quiet moment of shared play and connection. — University of Utah Native American students bowled with the school's Elder-in-Residence at a student union event during Native American Heritage Month, building mentorship and connection. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

University of Utah Native American students bowled alongside the university's Elder-in-Residence in the Lanes of Learning event. The informal gathering was held at the student union alley during Native American Heritage Month.

Why it matters

The event supports the university's nearly 200 students who identify as Native American, many of whom come from small towns on or near reservations in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. It aims to build relationships and learning through stories, experiences, and mentorship.

The University of Utah has nearly 200 students who identify as Native American. Many come from small towns on or near reservations in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, and the extraction does not report attendance figures for the event.

The players

University of Utah

A public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, whose Elder-in-Residence program hosts the bowling event.

Joy Grant Bullethead

A University of Utah staff member who proposed holding the informal bowling event at the student union alley.

The details

Students bowl alongside the university's Elder-in-Residence to build relationships and learning. Joy Grant Bullethead proposed the informal event, which was held at the student union alley.

Held during Native American Heritage Month.
The event took place on a Saturday, the week of a football game against BYU.

Culture Shift

The Lanes of Learning event falls within Native American Heritage Month, a November observance that has long directed attention to Native American communities. The event extends that observance into everyday campus relationships at the University of Utah.

Salt Lake City residents and students can see how the university builds Indigenous community through shared activities. Students and families considering the University of Utah can find a campus with a strong Indigenous community.

The takeaway

Campus community often forms through informal shared activities, and the Lanes of Learning event shows how mentorship can grow from a simple bowling night. Students seeking belonging can look for programs that pair peers with elders and mentors.