UVU commencement focuses on community, enjoying the journey
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- Graduates celebrate as confetti rains down to conclude the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates gesture to the crowd as they exit the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Utah Valley University President Astrid Tuminez waves pom poms as she exits the university’s 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates celebrate as confetti rains down to conclude the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Author Brandon Sanderson serves as the keynote speaker and honorary doctorate recipient at the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates celebrate as they exit the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates gesture to the crowd as they enter the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Lexi Soto, Utah Valley University student body president, speaks during the university’s 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- A graduate wears a cap with “UVU” painted on it during the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates celebrate as they enter the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Utah Valley University graduate Dixie Choque sings the National Anthem before the university’s 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates celebrate as they exit the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates pose for photos with friends and family after the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates move their tassels to conclude the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- R. Duff Thompson is given an honorary doctorate degree during the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
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- Graduates gesture to the crowd as they enter the Utah Valley University 2023 commencement ceremony held at the UCCU Center on Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Hailee Shumway, an elementary education major at Utah Valley University, stood in line for the commencement processional march while wearing a white dress that was covered in brightly colored drawings, made by the children in her student teaching internship.
“I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a kid, and felt like UVU gave me the best opportunity to succeed. It has the best education program in the state, and I heard that all of the professors were amazing,” Shumway said. “They were right! They were so kind and knowledgeable and I’m going to miss picking their brains every day.”
Shumway took a deferment from school to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and although it took her longer to finish her degree, it didn’t stop her from achieving her goals.
“I had a few elementary school teachers that set a great example for me, and that really stuck with me throughout college because I wanted to be that person for my students one day,” she said.
Shumway was one of 8,517 students who graduated in the UCCU Center at UVU’s 2023 commencement ceremony Thursday night, where students earned a total of 9,629 degrees and certificates.
“Our graduates arrive at UVU from every Utah county, from 47 states and territories, and 20 nations. The youngest is just 16 years old and the oldest is 69 years young” UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez said. “More than 40% of students in the class of 2023 are nontraditional students over the age of 25. Further, 33.6% of of those celebrating tonight are first in their families to attend college.”
Tuminez emphasized that UVU doesn’t just focus on numbers; they celebrate individuals, their backgrounds and their dreams. She stated her confidence in UVU’s motto, “There’s a place for you.”
Jenacia Conway, a 2023 graduate and a family science major with a minor in criminal justice, described how this motto rang true for her.
“I had a favorite teacher who was also like a mentor. I took some pretty tough classes from her but she was always the best. I wasn’t the best student, but she worked so well with me, was always reaching out to see how I’m doing and how she could support me better. She provided the best feedback that truly helped me learn and grow, and she was so, so understanding anytime I talked with her about anything,” Conway said.
The commencement speech was delivered by Brandon Sanderson, a Utah resident and BYU alumni who has written science fiction and fantasy books that have been listed among The New York Times bestsellers. His speech focused on enjoying the journey, and while each person’s destination may be important, he said, it’s the experiences that get you there that matter.
“If you want to avoid the trap of tunnel vision — if you fear that you’re focusing on future happiness instead of ensuring current happiness — you need to be active. You need to not be moving so quickly that you stop paying attention to the beauty of the now. And you need to identify those things that bring you joy,” Sanderson said.
At Thursday’s ceremony, Sanderson was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters, alongside other honorary degree recipients. Eliane Dalton was given an honorary doctorate of public service. R. Duff Thompson and Scott Keller were also awarded honorary doctorates of business.
Convocations for each of the university’s eight schools were held throughout the day, with more on Friday.
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