Scan the above QR code for a full digital Commencement program.
To purchase a full, personalized printed version of the Commencement program that includes the graduate’s name on the cover, visit usu.edu/commencement.
Scan the above QR code to order gifts from the USU Campus Store.
Individual graduate headshots will be available one week following the event. Images are free to download and can be found at aggie.link/25-grad-photos.
2024-2025
Commencement Ceremony - April 30, 2025
Logan Campus College Convocations - May 1-2, 2025
Statewide Campuses Graduation Ceremonies - April 17-26, 2025
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.
I extend my warmest congratulations on your well-deserved accomplishment. Your graduation is an important milestone that marks a pivotal moment in your life. We share in your joy and know that the next chapters you write for your stories will be extraordinary.
Your dedication and perseverance have culminated in an achievement that is both personally and professionally transformative. The education you have earned is an enduring asset, a foundation for resilience and lifelong growth. It empowers you to navigate challenges with critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication—durable skills that will enrich your lives and contribute to your success.
As graduates of a land-grant university, you carry a special responsibility. You are stewards of knowledge, equipped to address the challenges facing our communities and our society. I challenge you to think broadly, to consider the ways in which your education can be applied to create positive change, to innovate, and to lead with integrity.
You are prepared for more than you might currently imagine. You have demonstrated wisdom in pursuing your education. And now, you are ready to apply your talents and insights in ways that will shape you personally and professionally. Build upon this foundation, embrace the opportunities before you, and never underestimate the power of your education to transform lives, including your own.
We at USU are immensely proud of your accomplishments and look forward to witnessing the remarkable contributions you will make to the world. Congratulations, Class of 2025! I am honored to celebrate this momentous occasion with all of you.
Sincerely,
Alan L. Smith, Ph.D. Interim President, Utah State University
PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS
U.S. Army 116th Engineer Company
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Isaiah Palmer
WELCOME
Doug Miller
Chief Campus Administrator, USU Eastern
STUDENT SPEAKERS
Taya A. Cowley — Valedictorian B. Shaun Bryner — Vice President, USUSA Eastern
INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Doug Miller
Chief Campus Administrator, USU Eastern
ADDRESS TO GRADUATES
Brock Johansen
CEO, Emery Telcom
INTRODUCTION OF VAL J. HALAMANDARIS CARING AWARD RECIPIENT
Doug Miller
Chief Campus Administrator, USU Eastern
MUSICAL SELECTION
“You Raise Me Up” by Joseph M. Martin
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Alan L. Smith, Ph.D. Interim President, USU
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Doug Miller
Chief Campus Administrator, USU Eastern
GREETING TO GRADUATES
Ryan Dent
President-elect, USU Alumni Advisory Board
RECESSIONAL
Brock Johansen is the general manager and CEO of Emery Telcom in Orangeville, Utah. He is charged with planning, coordinating, and controlling the company’s day-to-day business activities; developing and sustaining the organization’s structure; and managing the company's subsidiaries. Johansen represents the company’s interest in political and regulatory issues on both the state and federal levels. Emery Telcom provides landlines, fiber back haul, cable television, internet, computers, and electronics. Emery Telcom has networks in Utah and Colorado.
Johansen is a graduate of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and has a business degree from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University.
B. Shaun was born in American Fork, Utah, to Ross Bryner and Shauna Hall, and spent his childhood in both Price, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada. He is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in health education and promotion with an emphasis in health science, along with minors in chemistry and biology. Beginning his college journey in 2020 during the height of COVID-19, B. Shaun initially aspired to become a nurse. Things changed for him as he became more involved with campus and campus life, where he formed meaningful connections with professors, peers, and mentors who would help him understand his path and potential.
Over his five years at USU Eastern, he served as a tutor for chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology; became student coordinator of Utah Health Scholars; and joined Utah State University Student Association as a student advocate, later stepping into the role of vice president. His curiosity for science also led him to collaborate with Joshua Lively, Ph.D., curator of paleontology at Utah State University’s Prehistoric Museum, on a research project that identified a novel disease in Columbian mammoths. Moving forward, B. Shaun plans to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. program, uniting his dedication to medicine with his passion for scientific discovery.
Growing up in Cleveland, Utah, Taya spent her childhood alongside her three siblings, guided by her supportive parents, Keaton and MacKell Cowley. From a young age, she developed a passion for academics, which propelled her to excel throughout her education. Ranked at the top of her class at Emery High School, Taya served as senior class president, a General Sterling scholar, and an Honor Society reporter. Her leadership and academic achievements earned her the title of region runner-up in the General Sterling Scholar Competition.
After high school, Taya continued her dedication to leadership and service as a USU Eastern ambassador and an Aggies Elevated mentor. She finds joy in lifting others and fostering a sense of community wherever she goes. Her journey has been shaped by hard work, compassion, and a strong sense of duty—values that have guided her through challenges, strengthened friendships, and allowed her to make a meaningful difference.
This June, Taya will embark on her next adventure, serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia. She looks forward to the experiences and growth this opportunity will bring, knowing it will have a lasting impact on her future. No matter where life leads, she will embrace the future with resilience, gratitude, and a hopeful heart.
She would like to thank her family, friends, mentors, and advisors for all the love, support, guidance, and encouragement throughout her journey.
Ambria Migliori is honored to have been named the salutatorian of the Class of 2025 at Utah State University Eastern. Throughout her college and high school journey, Ambria has demonstrated exceptional academic dedication, achieving top-tier grades while balancing a variety of extracurricular activities.
Ambria is a distinguished individual from Emery High School in Utah. In 2022, she was recognized as the salutatorian of her graduating class, highlighting her academic excellence. Some of her academic achievements include receiving the Presidential Academic Achievement Award, being a member of the National Honor Society, completing the Auto CAD 2024 certification, and earning her Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Part 107 license. Additionally, Ambria served as her high school’s tennis captain and was honored as an Academic All-State athlete in girls’ tennis for the 2021-2022 academic year, reflecting her dedication both in the classroom and on the court. Ambria is also proud to have served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ambria enjoys the outdoors where she actively hikes, canyoneers, and looks for fossils. After graduation, Ambria plans to continue her education at Utah State University in Logan studying engineering, drafting, and design.
"I'm
a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." Thomas Jefferson.
VAL J. HALAMANDARIS
Mabel Suarez is a first-generation student at Utah State University Eastern pursuing her bachelor's in social work. Today, she marks a significant milestone in receiving her Associate of Science, a reflection of her resilience and unwavering commitment. Through the challenges and opportunities of being the one of first in her family to attend college, she has been able to make a powerful impact on campus. Mabel has committed to creating a more inclusive and engaging environment for all students. So far, Mabel has been a part of the A-team Peer Mentors, as well as the Utah State University Student Association, serving as the clubs and organizations representative, as well as the director of cultural engagement. Her work in these roles has helped to nurture a more engaged and unified student body, advocating for the needs of underrepresented groups.
Beyond her academic and leadership achievements, Mabel is very passionate about giving back to the community. She has dedicated significant time to service hours and activities helping those in need with organizations such as Carbon Care for Kids and the Boys and Girls Club. Her volunteer efforts have allowed her to deepen her appreciation for the value of working together to create a positive change.
Through her journey as a first-generation Hispanic student, Mabel hopes to continue to inspire others and lead with purpose to create a lasting impact on campus and in the community. She strives to be a role model for future generations from similar backgrounds, showing that through hard work and commitment to purpose, anything is possible. Mabel is truly grateful and honored to have received the Halamandaris Award. Looking ahead, Mabel is determined to continue her professional journey in social work by remaining in her belief that every individual has the potential to make a difference.
