WINTER 2015 Top left: Abish Alcaraz rejoices. From left: Ketty Ann Bucag, Precious Campos, Sid Francis Balubal and Erica Carredo celebrate Sid’s graduation. Photos by Hector Periquin
Hiu Wong, a graduate in international cultural studies from The April 2015 Graduation featured Presiding Bishop Gary Stevenson, who told graduates, “Fortune favors the bold.” Graduate Homer Wolman Hong Kong, said he is excited to “move on with life. No more homework and no more papers. I’m getting married and going back said his dream was realized in this moment of graduation. home to Hong Kong.” Stevenson’s message was about overcoming fears that plague President Steven Wheelwright’s opening remarks stressed the graduates, such as fear of marriage, starting a family, failure and ridicule. importance for graduates to be lifelong learners. He referenced 10-yearHe quoted President Uchtdorf, who said, “Don’t take council from your old Mormon, who was “quick to observe,” a key trait for those who want fears.” Concerning fear of failure, he said, “If you don’t take the chance, to be lifelong learners. you’ll never fulfill your destiny. With God as your Father, no failure will Peter Wasden, a graduate in accounting from Connecticut, be final. The warm glow of service and selflessness can melt away doubts was the featured student speaker. He referenced Hogwarts from Harry and fears.” Potter in the first 30 seconds of his talk, earning a chuckle from the Aaron Ka Yu Fong, a graduate in psychology, said he appreciaudience. “In all seriousness,” he said, “we are the gold vein and BYUH is ated Stevenson’s talk. “There are a lot of fears about graduating.You don’t know where you are going or what you are going to do next. Put the refinery.” He said graduates must be like gold —incorruptible, make connections, and malleable. His final words were an urge to action. “We faith and courage in it and everything will be fine.” Concerning Fong’s personal plans, he said, “I’m actually still going to be here. I have classes must do or we are worthless. The appearance of doing is not enough. Let till June and I’ll be an intern till august. Then I will look for grad school. us go and do. Action will delineate and define you.” I like this plan of staying here a little bit longer.” History professor Michael Murdock said Wasden’s speech was Kelly Stevens, a sophomore in computer science from Oregon, “particularly well-conceived, well-delivered, pertinent, and it created said, “I liked his talk because he talked about facing our fears and overimagery and a metaphor that’s going to remain in the minds of people coming our trials with a good attitude.” She said she was proud of her for a long, long time. Everyone else’s is going to be forgotten because it’s graduating friends and they inspire her to work hard to graduate. complicated, but his was a very simple image that will stay.” Alexandria Hoth, a graduate in marine biology from Ohio, was Mark B. Woodruff, assistant to the Commissioner of the Church Educational System, quoted Julie B. Beck, 15th general president cheered by her family. Her mother, Christine Hoth, said, “We probably of the Relief Society: “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on perwould never have come [to Hawaii] if she wasn’t here. We saved for a sonal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in long time so we all could come and support her.” Hoth got a personal congratulations from Stevenson; he knew her family because her dad this life.” He told the graduates that frequent fervent prayer, fasting and used to babysit for him. the study and application of scriptures are three principles that will help Wolman, who graduated in communications, said “Once upon people receive revelation from the Holy Ghost. “You’ll need revelation a time I dreamed a dream. I dreamed a dream that she would be here.” for your own unique circumstances,” he said. He looked to his wife, Noel, who said “That he’d find a wife and then he’d graduate and he did!” Wolman continued, “And the dream came true. And the dream is yours, BYU! Do it!” For a video recap of graduation, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdjydPV09tU APRIL 30, 2015
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