More than 6,800 students from 43 countries, 45 U.S. states and 21 Utah counties will receive degrees from the U at a May 2 graduation ceremony.
Of the 6,843 degrees to be handed out, 5,222 are bachelor’s, 1,058 are master’s and 311 are doctoral degrees.
Graduation ceremonies will be held in the Huntsman Center, Kingsbury Hall, Skaggs Hall, the Union Ballroom and the Fine Arts Auditorium.
Though this year’s graduates range in age from 18 to 66, Dean of Students Stayner Landward has advice for all of them.
“Graduation is a culmination of a college experience ending and a professional experience beginning. I would hope the U provided a substantially rich experience both inside and outside the classroom,” Landward said.
Among those receiving honorary degrees at this year’s ceremony is keynote speaker and native author Terry Tempest Williams, Afton Bradshaw, William H. Child, Tom Korologos and E.W. Thrasher.
Landward, a U alumnus, says students who receive degrees from the U have received a unique and valuable education.
“The quality of academic offerings and the richness of our faculty provide students with an education similar or greater than other well-known research institutions…we’re still somewhat of a hidden jewel in Utah in that some of our faculty are more well-known nationally and internationally then they are here in Utah,” he said.
The procession of graduates starts at 8:20 a.m. with the commencement ceremony set to start at 9:00 a.m.
The individual colleges and schools will host their commencements throughout the day.