Commencement 2014

Centrum Arena

Campus enjoyed a wonderful commencement celebration on May 2, as 1,764 graduates of the Class of 2014 joined the ranks of the Southern Utah University Alumni Association.

A total of 349 master's degrees, 1036 bachelor's degrees, 369 associate's degrees and 10 special education certificates were awarded. The Class of 2014 was comprised of 989 females, 774 males and 48 married couples, with an age range of 17-66. Our graduates came from 28 of Utah's 29 counties, 35 U.S. states and 19 countries. The top 10 most popular degrees were: Psychology, Physical Education & Human Performance, Biology, Communication, Nursing, Elementary Education, Accounting, Human Nutrition, English and Criminal Justice.

Honorary doctorate degrees were presented to former first lady of Massachusetts Ann Romney, Zions Bank president and chief executive officer and philanthropist Scott Anderson and SUU emeritus English faculty member David Lee. This year's student commencement speech was delivered by Valerie Owens, an English major from St. George, Utah and the keynote address was given by Ann Romney. 

Enjoy a few highlights:

President Scott L Wyatt. 
Commencement 2015 was his first as president of SUU.

Valerie Owens told graduates,
"Today we are graduating from Southern
Utah University, but our learning is far from
over. Welcome, if you have not already
applied, to the university of experience."

Doctor of Public Service, Honoris Causa - A. Scott Anderson.
From left: President Scott L Wyatt, Vice President  for
Finance & Administration Dorian Page ('77), SUU Trustee
Marshall Erb, Scott Anderson,  SUU Trustee Jim Johnson ('76).

Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa - David Lee
From left: SUU Trustee Carolyn Higbee, David Lee
and SUU Trustee Matt Cannon ('01).

Doctor of Public Service, Honoris Causa - Ann Romney.
From left: President Scott L Wyatt, Vice President for University
Advancement & Regional Services Stuart Jones ('86), Ann Romney,
SUU Trustee Chair Eric Leavitt, SUU Trustee Ann Marie Allen.

Ann Romney, former First Lady of Massachusetts gave the
Class of 2014 eight pieces of advice. She said, "1) Your friends at Southern
Utah University will last a lifetime; 2) If you want to get ahead, if you
want to achieve success, do someone a favor; 3) Do your present job
well; 4) Parenting is probably the most important thing you'll do in
life and the hardest; 5) Don't judge other people, and don't judge
yourself as the only one passing through problems; 6) Live
a purpose driven life; 7) Do something you love every day;
8) The Bible works, so do what it says."

SUU Opus, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Baker,
performed "I Carry Your Heart with Me" by E.E. Cummings.

Class of 2014 moving their tassels.

"I came. I studied. I graduated!"