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.
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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
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
PROCESSIONAL
Fiery Furnace Marching Band
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Anna Conrad
WELCOME & LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Kristian Olsen Senior Associate Vice President, USU Moab
STUDENT SPEAKER
Rae Lynn Mason
ADDRESS TO GRADUATES
Samuel O. Crane President & CEO, Desert Rivers Credit Union
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Alan L. Smith, Ph.D. USU Interim President
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Kristian Olsen Senior Associate Vice President, USU Moab
GREETING TO GRADUATES
Matthew White Vice President for USU Advancement President, USU Foundation
RECESSIONAL
Commencement Speaker
Samuel O. Crane is a seasoned financial executive with a proven record in organizational growth, visionary leadership, and community engagement. As president and CEO of Desert Rivers Credit Union, he has successfully increased deposits from $13 million to $110 million, expanding from one to four branches in Southeastern Utah.
With over 20 years in financial services, Samuel has held strategic leadership roles emphasizing compliance, operational efficiency, and team development. He is actively involved in his community, serving in leadership positions with various regional organizations, including serving on the board for Moab Regional Hospital.
An innovative entrepreneur, Samuel founded Cinch IT of Utah, a managed business IT solutions provider, and High Desert Partners, connecting international investors with impactful local real estate projects. Samuel holds a credit union management degree from Western CUNA Management School at Pomona College and a Bachelor of Science in business management from Utah Valley University. He is dedicated to visionary leadership, economic growth, and positive community impact.
Rae Lynn Mason is a proud mother of two and a native of Moab, Utah. She is earning her degree in integrated studies: social sciences and human services at Utah State University Moab. Rae Lynn is grateful for the opportunity to further her education, and deeply values the unwavering support of her children and the encouragement from the dedicated staff at USU Moab, as well as many others.
Her journey in higher education has been shaped by the resilience and determination she learned from her mother—qualities that have instilled in her the belief that no challenge is too great to overcome. Balancing family, work, and school has been demanding, but she embraces each challenge as a stepping stone toward personal and professional growth.
With a passion for helping others, Rae Lynn hopes to integrate her education into her role at the high school counseling office, where she is committed to supporting and guiding students. She believes in the power of education, perseverance, and mentorship to create positive change in young people's lives. Her goal is to make a lasting impact by fostering an environment of encouragement and opportunity for the students she serves