Utah State University Brigham City, Tremonton and Kaysville Celebrate 2024 Graduating Class

Utah State University Brigham City, USU Tremonton and USU Kaysville celebrated the class of 2024 on Friday, April 19. The class of 2024 consists of 381 individuals earning five undergraduate and two graduate certificates and 61 associate, 195 bachelor’s, 126 master’s, and 11 doctoral degrees.

“Tonight’s commencement is a great achievement for all our students,” said Dan Black, USU associate vice president for the Brigham City Region. “You graduates haven’t reached this milestone without the support of spouses, partners, children, parents, siblings, friends and associates who have helped make this day possible.”

The campuses celebrated graduates with a ceremony at Box Elder High School in Brigham City. Black welcomed the graduates and introduced the student speakers, followed by the commencement speaker, Bruce F. Brothersen, senior innovator in the Vulcraft/Verco Group for Nucor and USU Class of 1986 graduate.

The first student speaker was Taylor Kenyon, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies with a minor in biology and was the 2024 Biology Undergraduate Researcher of the Year. Kenyon shared how she struggled throughout high school and was surprised to be accepted into college. As she started at USU, her struggles continued until she was diagnosed with ADHD. With the help of the USU Disability Resource Center, she began to thrive.

“I was given accommodations, tools and resources to help me progress in my education,” Kenyon said. “The DRC supported me and removed some of the fear I had about continuing school.”

Entering her sophomore year, Kenyon joined a research project with one of her biology professors. This experience allowed Kenyon to grow in confidence and ability, and she learned and developed new skills. She encouraged her fellow graduates to remember the times they had failed and the times they had succeeded. She reminded them of just how far they had come in their journey.

“Look at the successes you have gained from your efforts, no matter how large or small and trust in yourself, remembering that you are capable of accomplishing all you desire if you just keep trying,” Kenyon said. “Your potential is only limited by your own motivation, and when you see your failures as lessons, the road ahead of you is endless.”

The second student speech was from graduate Cassie Webster, who received her master’s degree in fitness promotion. In the address, Webster spoke about the life challenges she had faced, including losing her mother to cancer, her own subsequent cancer diagnosis and the challenges of being a working mother who was going to school, becoming the first person in her family to graduate. Through it all, she told her fellow graduates to keep fighting and go after their dreams.

“Life is too short for you to not live the life you want,” Webster said. “Will it be easy? Of course not. It will shake you to your very core then ask for more. Will it turn out how you planned? Not even a little. But I promise you that if you ignore the self-doubt and the boxes we sometimes put ourselves in and just go after your dreams with everything that you’ve got, you will not regret it.”

Brothersen then gave the graduation address. He began by encouraging graduates to reflect on their own personal journeys and unique stories. He invited graduates to do three things. First, write down their own story. Second, thank the people who helped them along the way. Lastly, think about and start the next journey.

“My friends, write and tell your story, thank the people that helped you, then think about and start the next part of your journey and story,” Brothersen said. “Based on what you know today, envision the next chapter in your story. Remember you are not alone; just like in the past, there will be people along the way to help you.”

USU President Elizabeth R. Cantwell then provided a short message and conferred upon the students their degrees. Once the graduates received their diplomas, Kim Larson, executive director of the USU Alumni Association, delivered a welcome address.

About USU

With two locations in Box Elder County, Utah State University Brigham City and Tremonton offer students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With more than 100 degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings, USU offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at brighamcity.usu.edu.

Located in the center of Davis County, Utah State University Kaysville offers students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings, USU Kaysville offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at kaysville.usu.edu.