Scan the above QR code for a full digital Commencement program.
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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
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY TOOELE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
PROCESSIONAL
PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS
National Guard Junior Leaders Training Course, JLTC
NATIONAL ANTHEM
LaRenzo DeGraffenreidt
STUDENT SPEAKERS
Ryland D'Arnall
Nayelli Lomeli
ADDRESS TO GRADUATES
Paul Hacking
President, Tooele Technical College
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Alan L. Smith, Ph.D. USU Interim President
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
Jennifer Cowburn
Associate Vice President, USU Tooele
GREETING TO GRADUATES
Ryan Dent
President-Elect, USU Alumni Advisory Board
RECESSIONAL
Paul Hacking started his duties as president of Tooele Technical College on Jan. 1, 2018. Previously a resident of Vernal, Utah, Hacking was the executive director of the Uintah Impact Mitigation Special Service District. In that position, Hacking managed a $4 million budget in support of higher education opportunities in Uintah County, including scholarships, advocacy, new program incubation, infrastructure and partnership formation.
Hacking is no stranger to technical colleges. Prior to his current job, he worked for 15 years at the Uintah Applied Technology College, including eight years as vice president for student services and seven years as president.
Hacking has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University and earned his master's in human resource management through the Utah State University Uintah Basin campus.
Student Speaker
Ryland is a proud student of Utah State University, graduating with an associate degree in general studies. Ryland has been attending the USU Tooele campus since August 2023. He was sworn into the Utah State University Student Association as the Tooele Campus Representative in April 2024. USU Tooele has provided Ryland many great opportunities and memories. Ryland will attend USU at the Logan campus in the fall and has plans to graduate with a bachelor's degree in accounting in May 2026.
Student Speaker
Nayelli was raised in Tooele, Utah. She is a proud first-generation college graduate. She graduated from USU Tooele in 2023 with her associate degree in criminal justice. She continued her educational journey at USU Tooele by completing the Bachelor of Social Work program with outstanding achievements.
Nayelli completed an internship at DCFS where she worked with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Upon graduation, she plans to secure employment with the agency and provide additional support for vulnerable populations.
Nayelli believes in the dignity and worth of every person. She vows to remain true to the social work code of ethics and fight alongside those facing inequality and social injustice. Aside from her academics, Nayelli finds happiness in spending time outdoors, fishing, and reading.