Commencement Exercises - May 2, 2024
Logan Campus College Convocations - May 2-3, 2024
Statewide Campuses Graduation Ceremonies - April 18-27, 2024
Utah State University is a premier land- and space-grant institution committed to excellence, access, and inclusion. We empower all people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact, and we champion exceptional education, research and discovery, and community contribution.
Dear Esteemed Graduates,
On this extraordinary day, I extend my warmest congratulations to you, the graduating class of 2024, from Utah State University. As we gather to celebrate your achievements, I am deeply honored to address you for the first time as the President of our esteemed institution.
Your journey to this moment has been marked by dedication, resilience, and a profound commitment to excellence whether you pursued your studies online, on campus, or across our beautiful state. Each of you has played an integral role in advancing our university's mission as a public service institution.
As we look ahead to the future, I am filled with optimism and confidence in your ability to make a meaningful impact in the world. Armed with the knowledge, skills, and values instilled by your education at USU, you are well-equipped to address the challenges of our time with integrity and compassion.
As you embark on the next chapter of your journey, I urge you to embrace the opportunities that come your way and to continue striving for excellence in all that you do. Remember that you are not just graduates of Utah State, but ambassadors of change and champions of the greater good.
Wherever your paths may lead, may you continue to embody the spirit of service and innovation that defines our university.
Congratulations, Class of 2024! Your achievements are a testament to your hard work and determination, and I am honored to celebrate this momentous occasion with you.
With warm regards,
Dr. Elizabeth R. Cantwell President, Utah State University
PROCESSIONAL
PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS
National Guard Junior Leaders Training Course, JLTC
NATIONAL ANTHEM
STUDENT SPEAKERS
Maddie Cragun
Teagen Lint
ADDRESS TO GRADUATES
Mrs. Terry Linares
Elementary Education Student Teaching Supervisor, USU Tooele
English Concurrent Enrollment Instructor, USU Tooele
Former Tooele County School District Superintendent
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Dr. Elizabeth R. Cantwell President, USU
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Jennifer Cowburn Associate Vice President, USU Tooele
GREETING TO GRADUATES
Ryan Dent
President-Elect, USU Alumni Association
RECESSIONAL
• ELEMENTARY EDUCATION STUDENT TEACHING SUPERVISOR, USU TOOELE
• ENGLISH CONC URRENT ENROLLMENT INSTRUCTOR, USU TOOELE
• FORMER TOOELE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
Commencement Speaker
Linares’ last official participation in a high school graduation took her back to Wendover where her 39-year career with Tooele County School District began.
Linares started working for the district in 1974 as a school secretary in Wendover. In 1979 she and her family moved to Grantsville where she continued to work as a school secretary, first at Grantsville Elementary School and later at Grantsville Junior High School.
While working at Grantsville Junior High School, Linares completed a bachelor's degree in history from Utah State University Tooele. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she commuted after school for two and a half years to Logan to complete her teaching certification from USU.
Linares started teaching English and history at Grantsville Junior High School in 1989 and then at Grantsville High School (GHS) for five years. She then served as assistant principal at GHS for three years and then as principal for six years at the same school. In 2004, Linares was selected as the secondary education director for the school district. In 2007 she was appointed as assistant superintendent. In May 2008, the school board announced its selection of Linares to succeed Mike Johnsen as superintendent after Johnsen announced his retirement. She retired from the superintendent position in 2013.
Terry was hired by USU Tooele in 2017 to teach English concurrent enrollment. Later in 2020, she took on the Elementary Education (ELED) Student Teaching Supervisor role. In that short amount of time, Terry has taught 23 concurrent courses for the Tooele Campus, while completing all of her supervisor tasks for the ELED department.
Student Speaker
Maddie Cragun, from her hometown of Tooele, Utah, is set to graduate with a bachelor of science in information system with an emphasis in data engineering. Alongside her academic achievements, Maddie has been a member of the National Society of Leadership, embodying the principles of integrity and service. Outside of her studies, she finds joy in outdoor activities and spending time with her dog.
Student Speaker
As a sophomore majoring in agribusiness at Utah State University (USU) and proudly serving as a statewide ambassador, Teagen strives to embody the values of leadership and dedication every day. Teagen grew up in Tooele County and graduated from Grantsville High School, just 10 miles from USU Tooele. Her heart finds its truest joy in the great outdoors, where she immerses herself in adventures like kayaking, camping, hunting, and white-water rafting, cherishing the beauty of nature. Alongside her outdoor pursuits, Teagen delights in the quiet pleasures of reading and baking, embracing her old soul's love for tradition and creativity. With a passion for agribusiness and a spirit hungry for exploration, Teagen is eager to make her mark on the world, blending tradition with innovation as she pursues her dreams.
Scan the above QR code for a full digital Commencement program.