Utah State University Tooele Celebrates 2024 Graduating Class

Utah State University Tooele celebrated its class of 2024 with commencement exercises taking place on Saturday, April 20. Comprising 90 individuals, the Class of 2024 earned 28 associate, 43 bachelor’s, 21 master’s and two doctorate degrees and two certificates.

USU Tooele celebrated graduates with a ceremony at Tooele High School. Jennifer Cowburn, USU Tooele associate vice president, welcomed the graduates and guests.

“We are here for one reason – to celebrate the achievements of you, our students and our leaders of tomorrow, as you close this period of your life and begin your new journey,” Cowburn said to graduates. “We are proud of your dedication and perseverance. We eagerly await reports of your continued successes.”

Cowburn then introduced the student speakers, Maddie Cragun and Teagen Lint. Cragun received a bachelor’s degree in information systems from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. Lint is a sophomore majoring in agribusiness in the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and is a statewide ambassador.

In the speech, Cragun shared her unique educational journey of starting in Logan, returning home during the pandemic, then finishing her degree while working in Texas. She encouraged her fellow graduates to use the things they had learned during their education to better their lives.

“Honesty, integrity, hard work and kindness aren’t old fashioned ideas,” Cragun said. “They will help us succeed wherever life takes us. We have reached a milestone today, but it is only the beginning of a long and exciting adventure that lies ahead.”

Lint then began her address by sharing several life lessons from her parents that she has learned, as well as those from a former teacher. She then encouraged her fellow graduates to offer thanks to those who had aided them along their journey.She closed her remarks with a challenge.

“As you embark on your next great adventure, I dare you to be loud, to be bold, and to never stop dreaming,” Lint said. “So, when you leave here today remember it’s not about what you’ll do, but rather who you’ll become.”

Cowburn then introduced the commencement speaker, Terry Linares, elementary education student teaching supervisor and English concurrent enrollment instructor at USU Tooele. Linares started her address by asking the graduates to reflect on several questions and also on the challenges that were overcome.

“You must remember those challenges you faced did not define you,” Linares said. “You made the decisions that defined what you needed to do to overcome those challenges, and you learned you can do hard things with determination, commitment, perseverance, and most of all believing in yourself.”

She then encouraged the graduates to undertake the next life challenge, whatever it may be, with the same determination.

“As you have reached this pinnacle of achievement, do not let this be your last achievement,” Linares said. “You must continue to make space in your lives for the things that matter to you. Do not ever worry about what others may say or think, always stand true to your beliefs, and stand strong and be passionate about what is in your heart and always make the right choices.”

USU President Elizabeth R. Cantwell then provided a short message and conferred upon the students their degrees. Once the graduates received their diplomas, Ryan Dent, president-elect of the USU Alumni Association, delivered a welcome address.

Located in the valley of the Oquirrh Mountains, Utah State University Tooele offers students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings, USU Tooele offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at tooele.usu.edu.