April 23, 2004 Feature
Commencement
2004
 Utah
State University's 111th annual undergraduate commencement Saturday,
May 1, is a day for well-earned applause as students walk across
the stage at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum to receive their diplomas.
The traditional graduation march begins at 8:30 a.m. from the
Quad and continues to the Smith Spectrum, where the ceremony
begins at 9 a.m. (see complete schedule at www.usu.edu/commencement).
President Kermit L. Hall will moderate the ceremony, which
for the second year in a row will feature the addition of a
student commencement speaker. The highlight of this year's commencement
ceremony is the conferring of degrees, which for the first time
will include the individual presentation of students' actual
diplomas.
"We made a significant number of changes last year to
make commencement more student-centered," said Assistant
Provost Sydney Peterson, who also is co-chair of the university's
commencement committee. "The most important change, however,
comes this year when the students receive their actual diploma
on the Spectrum stage."
 Peterson
said last year's changes were a great success, and the committee
has tried to streamline the process even more this year to highlight
the accomplishments of students.
Another successful addition to last year's commencement will
play a significant role again this year, she said. Stephen Alexander
Reynolds, valedictorian for the College of Humanities, Arts,
and Social Sciences, will deliver remarks to the graduating
class. Reynolds was selected by a committee of students and
other valedictorians from among the pool of valedictorians from
each of the colleges.
"He was selected by fellow students to represent them
at the commencement exercise, and we all look forward to hearing
his remarks," Peterson said.
 Peterson
said a mandatory graduation rehearsal is scheduled for Wednesday,
April 28, at noon on the HPER field south of the Spectrum. Peterson
said this rehearsal is important so students will be in the
right place at the right time.
"It is extremely critical that students be in the correct
order since they will be receiving their diplomas," she
said. Last year students received a certificate of commencement,
but this year they will receive their actual degree on stage.
Award-winning broadcast journalist Jane Clayson Johnson is
the commencement speaker. (Clayson) Johnson also will receive
an honorary degree as part of the ceremony.  Other
honorary degree recipients include Ruth L. Novak (Doctor of
Science and Engineering), Merlin Olsen (Doctor of Business)
and C. Booth Wallentine (Doctor of Agriculture).
Various other awards will be presented to outstanding faculty
during the event. Award winners are: Christine Hult, D. Wynne
Thorne Research Award; John S. Seiter, Eldon J. Gardner Teaching
Award; and Debra Spielmaker, E.G. Peterson Extension Award.
The Department of English and the School of Accountancy will
receive Department Teaching Excellence awards.
 Seven
faculty members will receive Teaching Excellence Awards: Craig
Aston, College of Agriculture; L. Dwight Israelsen, College
of Business; Beth E. Foley, College of Education and Human Services;
Jacob Gunther, College of Engineering; Robert H. Schmidt, College
of Natural Resources; and Joseph R. Mendelson III, College of
Science. John S. Seiter, representing the College of Humanities,
Arts, and Social Sciences, received the Eldon J. Gardner Teaching
Award.
The university wind orchestra will provide music throughout
the event. An alumni graduation picnic and other receptions
will take place from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on the university's HPER
field, and individual college celebrations begin in various
locations throughout campus at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30
p.m.
The graduate student ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday,
April 30, in the Spectrum, where Thomas Kent, dean for the school
of graduate studies, Provost Stan Albrecht and President Hall
will welcome students and confer diplomas.
A rebroadcast of the commencement ceremonies will appear on
KUED at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 1, and KVLY, Valley Channel 3 (check
local listings for time and date).
Writer: Tim Vitale, (435) 797-1356, tim.vitale@usu.edu
Contact: Sydney Peterson, (435) 797-1170, Sydney.Peterson@usu.edu
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