SUU hands out 2,400 degrees in busy commencement ceremony
Southern Utah University handed out more than 2,400 degrees on Friday, honoring a graduating class with record numbers of graduate degrees.
The school reported 2,408 graduates in total, with 810 receiving master's degrees, 1,807 earning bachelor's degrees and 266 receiving associate degrees. The graduates came from 27 countries, 47 states and 28 of Utah's 29 counties, according to school officials. The youngest graduate was 17, while the oldest was 73.
"Few things will be more inspiring and fulfilling in your life and career than working for a purpose and cause that you love and believe in," SUU President Mindy Benson said during her speech. "Discovering and living your purpose takes real effort; it takes time; it takes trial and error. Don’t give up."
Benson was part of an all-female lineup of speakers that included honorary degree recipient Joan Woodbury, SUU National Alumni Council President Caytee Wankier and three graduates: Aspen English, a communication and English double major and College of Humanities and Social Sciences valedictorian from Monticello; Kalli Ostermiller, a political science major from Tremonton; and Sarah J. Penner, a psychology major with a double minor in German and theatre arts from Layton.
Andrew Hatch, from Mesa, Arizona, graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and was named University valedictorian.
The most popular degrees this year were business administration, education, psychology, nursing, accounting, biology, management, accounting and communication.
This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: SUU graduates take home more than 2,400 degrees
