MESSAGE FROM PROVOST
FRANCIS D. GALEY
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the accomplishments of our 2020-21 graduates. This is a milestone you have fought hard to achieve. But it is impossible to celebrate the success of graduates without recognizing, as well, their teachers. I am confident there are many within the faculty, administration, and even your parents, who would not have enjoyed present successes without the influence of great teachers in our lives. Author Pat Conroy put it this way: “If there is more important work than teaching, I hope to learn about it before I die.” With this in mind, I’d like to take a moment to invite each graduate to think about the faculty, advisors, and staff who have helped you succeed in your goal to earn this degree. I challenge you to find a way to express your appreciation to them. In the following pages you will read about the recipients of this year’s faculty awards encompassing teaching, research, extension, and service. These recipients aptly represent the mission of Utah State University to “serve the public through learning, discovery, and engagement.” We are very proud of them and acknowledge that they are faculty who are indicative of their peers. As graduates, now is the time for you to apply all you have learned. It is my earnest hope that you have learned more than facts and figures or definitions and dates. I suspect you have also learned about compassion, leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, and so many other attributes and skills. The world needs thinking and feeling citizens. It needs “citizen scholars.” Please remember that wherever you go, you will always take a bit of USU pride with you. Your heritage now includes a USU degree, and you’ve earned it! Congratulations, and Go Aggies! Sincerely,
Francis D. Galey Executive Vice President and Provost – 11 –
