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Utah Tech splits commencement ceremony to 'beat the heat' – St. George News

Lily EvansBy No Comments7 Mins Read


ST. George — Utah Tech University celebrated its “tenacious” graduates Friday at its 130th commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024.

Jared S. Smith gives the valedictorian speech at Utah Tech's graduation ceremony, St. George, Utah, May 3, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech St. George News

This year's ceremony was divided into two parts to “beat the heat,” according to a press release. The high temperature for the day was 82 degrees, but the astroturf and outdoor stadium will be even hotter. Wearing a robe over formal attire may have made the problem even worse for students.

Associate degree recipients were announced at 8 a.m. with temperatures in the low 60s, and master's and bachelor's degree recipients were announced at 6 p.m., with temperatures in the low 70s.

Dr. Michael LaCourse, provost and vice president for academic affairs, first welcomed the outstanding crowd that filled both the home and away bleachers at Greater Zion Stadium. Courtney White, Utah Tech's interim president, then addressed the graduates.

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize the accomplishments of our graduates,” White said. “These graduates are dedicated, focused, and have grit, which can be defined as the tenacity to pursue goals despite setbacks.”

He continued his speech with some notable statistics about this year's graduates.

“These graduates represent 39 different states and 17 different countries,” he said. “His class is 29% first-generation students, 61% female and 39% male.”

White also said the age range of graduates is “from 16 to 68.”

Paisley Bills, a graduate student majoring in sociology and double majoring in business nonprofit management and business administration, smiles after the graduation ceremony.St. George, Utah, May 3, 2024 | Photo by Bridger Palmer, St. George News

Featured speakers were Board Chair Tiffany L. Wilson and Valedictorian Jared S. Smith.

Wilson's speech focused on the importance of intellectual humility and the rich power of accepting diverse perspectives.

“The ability to not only tolerate other people's opinions and beliefs, but to listen, learn, and grow will be key to career, social, and relationship success,” Wilson said. .

Smith, 24, told St. George News that she recently started working in the intensive care unit at St. George Regional Hospital.

Mr. Smith was chosen as valedictorian in part because he has volunteered more than 200 hours with organizations such as Routes for Kids, the American Red Cross, the St. George Marathon, and the Huntsman World Senior Games. That's what happened.

He has also been named to Utah Tech's Dean's List seven times and received the University of Utah's Elite 11 Award. His advice to new students is said to have led to his success.

“Join right away and make friends,” Smith says. “Your experience will be better or worse depending on whether you succeed or not.”

His valedictorian speech was about seizing opportunities, learning from mistakes, and valuing community support. He used the university's new building as a metaphor for personal growth.

“Like our university, we have experienced change,” he said. “From our dedicated professors, mentors, and colleagues, we learned how to open doors that would otherwise block opportunities.”

Graduates “T-pose” after receiving their degree, St. George, Utah, May 3, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Utah Tech University St. George News

Smith said that in his class, he always has to make an effort to step outside of his comfort zone, take risks, and open doors, even if they seem closed.

Mr. Smith ended his speech by quoting the famous physicist Albert Einstein. “A person who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

Smith earned one of the most sought-after bachelor's degrees in nursing. Her other well-attended subjects were exercise science, psychology, management and communication studies.

One of the communications majors was 20-year-old Sophie Sparks, who landed a job at the Deseret News in social media marketing the day she graduated.

Sparks cites the small class sizes as one of the benefits of studying at Utah Tech.

“I love teaching and it was a good experience,” she said. “I will miss the community and all the people who helped me succeed.”

At the end of the ceremony, Utah Tech Alumni Association President Betty Burnham instructed the graduates to move their tassels in unison to the opposite side to signify their new status as Trail Blazers alumni.

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Copyright Saint George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, All Rights Reserved.

Bridger Palmer was born in St. George, Utah, and later grew up in Southern California's Inland Empire. He was inspired to pursue journalism as an avid reader of Bill Simmons' sports and popular culture blog, Grantland. Palmer wrote his 2020 screenplay and launched his own website his newgrantland.com shortly thereafter. He worked his way up from proofreader to editorial assistant at a weekly newspaper in Redlands, California. He returned to Southern Utah in late 2023.





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