Mark Fuller’s journey from a driven Honors student at the University of Utah to a successful career in engineering, entrepreneurship, and leadership is a testament to the power of ambition, innovation, and commitment. Fuller’s story is one of intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and an unwavering passion for creativity and invention.
A Strong and Diverse Foundation at the University of Utah
Mark Fuller’s academic journey began at the University of Utah, where he was one of the first honors students majoring in civil engineering. At the U, he distinguished himself with his academic achievements and his commitment to pushing boundaries. He was known for his ability to approach complex problems with creativity and resolve, qualities that would later serve him well in his career.
Fuller compares his experience at the University of Utah to a “Disneyland of Education.” He found endless possibilities and opportunities to learn and engage in thought-provoking study. Along with his Engineering and Honors classes, he took four times the number of physics classes required, studied basic design in the University’s School of Architecture, and took theatre classes ranging from lighting design to advanced theatrical makeup to public speaking. His fondest memories of the honors program at the U were the small class sizes and engaging professors. Fuller studied fluid mechanics for his honors thesis (and built an actual fountain in the city to demonstrate the principle of laminar flow).
Fuller went on to attend graduate school for two years at Stanford University, graduating with his master’s degree in mechanical engineering and product design, jointly between the College of Engineering and the College of Fine Art in 1978. During the summer between those years, he returned to Salt Lake and attended Utah Trade Tech to learn welding and machining. Fuller received an honorary doctorate of engineering from the University of Utah in 2015.
Engineering and Entrepreneurship
After graduating from Stanford, Mark Fuller worked as an Imagineer for the Walt Disney Company, applying the laminar flow technology he developed and refined to create Disney’s Leapfrog Fountain at Epcot Center, He became head of the Walt Disney Imagineering Special Effects Department. In 1983, Fuller co-founded WET (Water Entertainment Technologies). WET is now the world’s leading fountain and water feature design firm. Their first commission was the water feature for the now iconic Fountain Place, a Dallas park and high rise. Fuller’s company now holds more than 50 patents and employs over 250 employees. WET is known for notable water features that include the fountains of Bellagio, the Dubai Fountain, the fountains of CityCenter in Las Vegas, the 2002 Olympic cauldron for Salt Lake City, the Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, the Columbus Circle fountains in New York, and the Waters of Olympic Park in Sochi, Russia. Fuller and WET have been featured on many news outlets, including Forbes, The New Yorker, the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Fast Company, and CBS Sunday Morning, among others
Fuller’s hobbies include horseback riding, ballroom dancing, woodworking, writing, and reading (his personal library shelves over 7,000 books).
When asked about his favorite water feature project, he shared/said “Always the one we just opened.” He then emphasizes that his mission in life is to create public spaces that bring people to connect–with others, with nature, and perhaps more with their inner self
Legacy and Influence
Mark Fuller’s path from an honors student at the University of Utah to a highly respected figure in engineering and entrepreneurship exemplifies the impact of a strong academic background coupled with a passion for creatively solving complex problems. His contributions to engineering, sustainability, and leadership continue to resonate across industries, and his legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring innovators everywhere.