114th Commencement to Celebrate Class of 2013

Published: April 30, 2013 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Slated for May 3 and 4, Southern Utah University’s Commencement weekend is fast approaching, with big plans to celebrate the 1,756 graduates who comprise the Class of 2013.

This year’s Commencement Festivities include:

Friday, May 3, 2013

Noon – University Commencement, Centrum Arena

  • Keynote Speaker: Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
  • Honorary Degree Recipients: Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Doctor of Humane Letters; William Earl “Billy” Casper, Jr., Doctor of Public Service
  • University Valedictorian: Choryn Sundin Glad, biology & chemistry major from St. George, Utah
  • Class of 2013 Student Speaker: Blake Clark, elementary education major from Cedar City, Utah
  • Oath of Office for SUU ROTC Graduates: Jessica Lei Bloomer, criminal justice major from Pinedale, Ariz.; Jared Richard Fowles, criminal justice major from Delta, Utah; Trenton James Housley, communication major from St. George, Utah 

3:00 p.m. – Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human Development Convocation, Centrum Arena

  • College Valedictorian: Caitlin Kennedy, exercise science

3:00 p.m. – College of Performing and Visual Arts Convocation, Randall L. Jones Theatre

  • College Valedictorian: Mitchell H. Grimshaw, art & design

  

Saturday, May 4

9:00 a.m. – Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science & Engineering Convocation, Centrum Arena

  • University Valedictorian: Choryn S. Glad, chemistry and biology
  • College Valedictorian: Kezia A. Brown, chemistry

11:00 a.m. – School of Business Convocation, Centrum Arena

  • College Valedictorian: Brandon Wignall, accounting

1:00 p.m.  – College of Humanities & Social Sciences Convocation, Centrum Arena

  • College Valedictorian: Shelby Thurgod, political science 

Additional information about the Class of 2013 follows.

Geographic Origin (by numbers of graduates):

  • 48 from foreign countries
  • 246 from U.S. states and territories other than Utah
  • 1462 from Utah

Ethnicity (by numbers of graduates):

  • 17 American Indian
  • 63 Asian/Pacific Islander
  • 26 African American
  • 1548 Caucasian
  • 58 Latino/Hispanic
  • 44 Not Specified

Most Popular Majors (top 10):

  1. Biology
  2. Elementary Education
  3. Physical Education and Human Performance
  4. Psychology
  5. Communication
  6. Criminal Justice
  7. Nursing
  8. Accounting
  9. Management
  10. Theatre

Gender (by numbers of graduates):

  • 744 Male
  • 1009 Female

 Degrees Earned (by numbers of graduates):

  • 8 Certificates of completion
  • 456 Associate
  • 1033 Bachelor
  • 259 Master 

In addition to conferring degrees, this year’s Commencement festivities will also honor the following standout faculty and staff members from the SUU community.

Southern Utah University Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

  • Faculty: David J. Berri, professor of economics
  • Staff: Eric K. Houle, head coach for SUU Track & Field and Cross Country

Outstanding Educator

  • Mary Pearson, assistant professor of accounting

Outstanding Scholar

  • Peter Sham, director and professor of theatre arts

Distinguished Educators

  • John T. Ault, professor of psychology
  • John R. Taylor, assistant professor of biology
  • Ellen Treanor, communication professional-in-residence

Outstanding Staff Members

  • Dallas Jones, electrician foreman for Facilities Management
  • Barbara Rodriguez, administrative assistant for College of Science & Engineering

Staff Distinguished Service Awards

  • Dale S. Orton, executive director of Student Success
  • Patrick Terrones, facilities management area supervisor

Contact Information:

435-586-5400
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This article was published more than 5 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.