Campus Life

Utah State University Wasatch Region Celebrates Class of 2022

By Marcus Jensen |

Graduating speaker Bailey Lundquist received her bachelor's in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education

Utah State University Salt Lake was delighted to host a celebration for the class of 2022 on Friday, May 13, for the USU Wasatch Region. The class of 2022 consists of 529 individuals earning 67 associate, 304 bachelor’s, 154 master’s, 12 doctorate degrees and 15 certificates. Along with USU Salt Lake, the Wasatch Region includes USU Heber, Park City and Orem Statewide Campuses.

“All of you graduates have a powerful story of persistence, sacrifice and hard work that was fueled by your hope for a better future,” said David Vernon, associate vice president for the Wasatch Region. “You have all successfully traveled on a noble journey and I wish you amazing Aggies a prosperous future.”

Vernon greeted graduates and offered opening remarks. He then introduced two student speakers: Bailey Lundquist and Sofia Berrett. Lundquist received a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education and will continue to pursue a master’s degree. Berrett graduated with a Master of Education degree in Psychology with an emphasis in School Counseling.

Lundquist opened her remarks with gratitude for being able to complete her degree at a USU Statewide campus. She then spoke to graduates about investing, especially investing in themselves and the people around them.

“As we go forth to further education and careers, I want to encourage us all to remember that our education was worth investing in,” Lundquist said. “We are worth investing in. Relationships, careers, families, spirituality, lifelong learning are worth investing in. I urge each of us to continue to invest our time and talent in pursuits that will benefit this world.”

Berrett then spoke to the graduates, recounting with them the hardships that could have stood in the way of each of the graduates to receive their degrees. However, she remarked on how these challenges were overcome by each graduate.

“I have learned throughout my life that we are all more alike than we are different, and if I experienced hardships in the obtaining of this degree, I know most, if not all, of you have as well,” Berrett said. “Whatever the hardships, you’ve found a way to overcome them to be here today, as a graduate of Utah State University. Keep progressing forward with hard work and dedication. You will find success, just as you have found today through earning your degree.”

Vernon then introduced the guest speaker, alumnus Dallin Cowles, who graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in History. Cowles is the president of the Aggies in Salt Lake Chapter in the USU Alumni Association. During the speech, Cowles encouraged the graduates to thank and show appreciation to those who helped the graduates reach the stage, urged them to stay connected to their alma mater via the alumni chapter, and to remember that much is expected of USU graduates.

“As you proudly announce, ‘I’m an Aggie,’ people will expect you to be competent, kind and industrious, because they have likely interacted with a USU graduate before,” Cowles said. “Take every opportunity to broadcast your affiliation with USU — it will open doors.”

With locations in Salt Lake City, Orem, Park City and Heber City, Utah State University’s Wasatch Region 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 offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at statewide.usu.edu.

WRITER

Marcus Jensen
News Coordinator
University Marketing and Communications
marcus.jensen@usu.edu

CONTACT

David Vernon
Associate Vice President for the Wasatch Region
USU Statewide Campuses
(801) 597-0640
david.vernon@usu.edu



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