University prepares for Class of 2015 Commencement

Published: April 21, 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Southern Utah University is excited to celebrate the 1,643 Class of 2015 Thunderbird graduates in the 116th annual University Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 9 a.m., featuring keynote speaker, Reverend France A. Davis, a civil rights leader and renowned religious leader. All SUU's graduation ceremonies and festivities are free and do not require tickets, with general admission seating.

In addition to Davis, graduates and guests will hear from the Class of 2015 student speaker, Brantz Woolsey, a marketing graduate from Castle Dale, Utah, as well as SUU President Scott L Wyatt. The University will confer three honorary doctorate degrees during the University Commencement. Georgia Beth Thompson, current director of the Center for Women and Families and former dean of students, will receive an honorary doctorate in public service. Former SUU Economics Professor Harold Hiskey will receive an honorary doctorate in public service. And Aline W. Skaggs, namesake for the University's science building, will receive posthumous recognition with a doctorate of public service.

Of the remaining 1,643 degrees to be conferred this spring, 320 will be master’s degrees, 1005 will be bachelor’s degrees and 307 will be associate’s degrees.

All of these degrees will be awarded at college convocation ceremonies to be held Friday afternoon and evening, where students will individually be awarded their diplomas. Among the graduates, Erin Stone, a biology major from Cour d’Alene, Idaho, is SUU's 2015 valedictorian.

As to the aspirations of the Class of 2015, psychology continues to reign in popularity, topping the top ten most popular majors among the Class of 2015:

1. psychology
2. elementary education
3. biology
4. communication
5. nursing
6. physical education
7. criminal justice
8. accounting
9. hotel, resort, and hospitality management
10. English

This year’s graduates come to SUU from 19 different countries and 26 U.S. states.

The Class of 2015 includes 715 men and 928 women, with 63 married couples who will celebrate their SUU graduation together.

Students donning caps and gowns will range in age from 17 to 64 years old.

For additional information about all of this year’s graduation festivities, please visit suu.edu/graduation.

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