Past Commencement Speakers
A brief history of recent speakers at SUU commencement exercises.
2026
- Student Speaker: Micah Cajilig, Acting major from Lehi, Utah
- Alumni Welcome: Jamie Shaw, Class of 1996
- Keynote Speaker: Michael O. Leavitt, 14th Governor of Utah
2025
- Student Speaker: Abbie Cochrane, Musical Theatre major from Salt Lake City, Utah
- Alumni Welcome: Caytee Wankier, SUU Alumni President, Class of 2008
- Keynote Speaker: Miles Killebrew, NFL Professional Football Player, SUU Alumni
2024
- Student Speaker: Holly Biesinger, Art Education and History, double major from West Valley City, Utah
- Student Speaker: Nick Stein, Communication major from Cedar City, Utah
- Alumni Welcome: Caytee Wankier, SUU Alumni President, Class of 2008
2023
- Student Speaker: Aspen English, Communication and English double major from Monticello, Utah
- Student Speaker: Kalli Ostermiller, Political Science major from Tremonton, Utah
- Student Speaker: Sarah J. Penner, Psychology major with double minor in German and Theatre from Layton, Utah
2022
- Student Speaker: Laurel Buxton, Interdisciplinary Studies major from Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
- Alumni Welcome: Myndee Kay Larsen, Alumni Association President from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- Keynote Speaker: Condoleezza Rice, the 66th U.S. Secretary of State.
2021
- Student Speaker (April 30): Sipho Ncube, Biology major from Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Student Speaker (May 1): Ajhamae Quiring, Exercise Science major from Perry, Utah.
- Keynote Speaker: Gail Miller, Philanthropist, Business and Civic Leader, and Owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies.
- Alumni Welcome: Myndee Kay Larsen, Alumni Association President from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
2020
- Student Speaker: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Lee, Political Science & Strategic Communication major from Bountiful, Utah
- Student Speaker: Kathy Wyatt, Family Life & Human Development major from Cedar City, Utah
2019
- Student Speaker: D'Mia Lamar, Philosophy and Political Science major, with a minor in Legal Studies from Roy, Utah
- Keynote Speaker: Melissa Stockwell, Army Veteran, Paralympian, and World-Class Paratriathlete
2018
- Student Speaker: Ayleen Perry - video, English major & Legal Studies minor from Tijuana, Mexico
- Keynote Speaker: Anne O. Leavitt - video, Community Leader, Historian, and Philanthropist
2017
- Student Speaker: Sara Ludlow, Human Nutrition major from St. George, Utah
- Keynote Speaker: Bob Schieffer, CBS Journalist & Reporter
2016
- Student Speaker: Andie Marie Szekely, Technical Theatre & Design major from Las Vegas, NV
- Keynote Speaker: Victor Yushchenko, Former Ukranian President
- Keynote Speaker: Kateryna Yushchenko , Former Ukranian First Lady
2015
- Student speaker: Brantz M. Woolsey - video, marketing major from Castle Dale, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Reverend France Davis - video
2014
- Student speaker: Valerie Owens - video, creative writing-English major from St. George, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Ann Romney - video
2013
- Student speaker: Blake Clark, elementary education major from Cedar City, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Rabbi Shmuley Boteach - video
2012
- Student speaker: Payden L. Adams, musical theatre major from Cedar Fort, Utah
- Keynote speaker: David J. Jordan, Chair, Utah State Board of Regents
2011
- Student speaker: Landon Gray Mitchell, English major from Henderson, Nevada
- Keynote speaker: Clayton M. Christensen, Professor, Harvard Business School
2010
- Student speaker: Alyssa Sanders, communication major from Mt. Pleasant, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Robert F. Bennett, United States Senator
2009
- Student speaker: Natalie Gunn, history major from Riverton, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Thomas S. Monson, President, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2008
- Student speaker: Isaac C. Holyoak, communication major from Murray, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Dr. Mario R. Capecchi, 2007 Nobel Laureate
2007
- Student speaker: Gregory Barnett, communication major from Richfield, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Jon M. Huntsman, Governor, State of Utah
2006
- Student speaker: Bret Nelson, management major from Copperas Cove, Texas
- Keynote speaker: Dr. Stephen R. Covey, Co-founder, Franklin Covey Company
2005
- Student speaker: Sherry Nay, communication major from Gunnison, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Renee West, President, Primm Valley Resorts
2004
- Student speaker: Mickelle E. Shea, elementary education major from Fruit Heights, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Michael O. Leavitt, Federal Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
2003
- Student speaker: Josie Beth Baxter, communication major from Tremonton, Utah
- Keynote speaker: Renn Zaphiropoulos, Philanthropist
The SUU Library has a digital archive of commencement programs going back to 1906.