Utah State University Tooele Celebrates Class of 2023

Utah State University Tooele celebrated its class of 2023 with commencement exercises taking place on Saturday, April 22. Comprising 80 individuals, the Class of 2023 earned 32 associate, 30 bachelor’s, 16 master’s and three doctorate degrees and one certificate.

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 in opening remarks. “We are proud of your dedication and perseverance.”

Cowburn then introduced the student speakers, Hayden Bell and Logan Merkley. Bell received a bachelor’s degree in technology systems from the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences. Merkley received a bachelor’s degree in information systems from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.

In the speech, Bell shared the progression of his life and his struggles to reach the graduation stage. He recounted several stumbling blocks that led him to decide to bet on himself and make a change. He encouraged students to take risks and not wait for lucky breaks to just simply happen.

“Don’t wait for your break, go make it happen for yourself,” Bell said. “Don’t just do what makes you happy, do what makes you great! Do what’s uncomfortable, and scary, and hard, but pays off in the long run. Push yourself to set new limits and the most important, be willing to fail. Let yourself fail. Fail, pick yourself up, and fail again. Because without your struggle, what is your success anyway?”

Merkley then shared his story of returning to school after a 12-year break and, at first, not seeking help from his academic advisor. He went on to thank all those who were his support system along the way.

“When I returned to school in 2019, I had the same mindset: I don’t need help; I can do this on my own,” Merkley recalled. “When I actually met with Joyce (a former academic advisor), my mind was blown by the help she provided. I can’t thank everyone here enough.”

Cowburn then introduced the commencement speaker, Gary Straquadine, professor emeritus at USU and the first dean and executive director at USU Tooele. Straquadine shared several stories about how technology had advanced in his lifetime and how, above all, with advances in artificial intelligence and other learning tools, the goal is to never stop being a learner.

“Graduation is a celebration of a mile marker along the road as a life-long learner,” he said. “Prepare for more to come. You have to develop the discipline, the skills, and the ability to synthesize information into a personal form of wisdom.”

Straquadine then shared insights he has learned as a marathon runner: pace yourself and know your limits; you get out of things what you put into them; you really can do more than you think you can; learn to enjoy the journey; and life is a team event. He finished by quoting a famous marathon runner, Lori Culnane.

“Everything you wanted to know about yourself you can learn in 26.2 miles. At mile 20, I thought I was dead. At mile 22, I wished I was dead. At mile 24, I knew I was dead. At mile 26.2, I realized I had become too tough to kill. Always concentrate on how far you’ve come, rather than how far you have left to go.”

USU President Noelle E. Cockett then provided a short message and conferred upon the students their degrees. Once the graduates received their diplomas, Steven L. Palmer, president of the USU Alumni Association, delivered a welcome address.

The ceremony closed with a special presentation from Rich Etchberger, interim vice president and vice provost for Statewide Campuses. Etchberger and Cowburn presented President Cockett with a gift from the campus, an Aggie bowl with salt crystals from the nearby Bonneville Salt Flats, which was crafted by a local artist. This gift symbolizes the area’s gratitude for President Cockett’s support during her seven years as university president.

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.