Last Dixie State grads before name switch receive encouragement and advice at 2022 graduation

Written by Ammon Teare
May 6, 2022

ST. GEORGE — At the 111th Commencement Ceremony at Dixie State University, a theme of perpetual learning, optimism and making the most of education united the comments made to graduates by administrators and invited speakers.

Graduates wait around the Encampment Mall in preparation for the 111th Commencement Ceremony at Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 6, 2022 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

There was also a sense of change in the air noted by the university’s president that made this class a unique one. The 2022 class is the last to graduate as Dixie State students. In July, the university will officially change its name to Utah Tech University.

Graduates began their day before 7 a.m., gathering on campus in red robes and matching mortarboards to prepare for a procession that would march from the top of Encampment Mall to Greater Zion Stadium.

After walking down paths lined by faculty, university staff and administrators, graduates filed into the stadium to the cheers of family, friends and community members in the stands. Once everyone was seated and the opening traditions were observed, President Richard “Biff” Williams welcomed the assembled graduates and shared insights into the historic class.

“While you’ve been here, enrollment has increased 44% from 8,500 to over 12,000 students,” he said. “You witnessed student scholarship funds double from $10 million to close to $20 million. You saw many new construction projects on campus. Over 100 new academic programs were added, including four new graduate degree programs and 13 online programs. While you’ve been here, you have grown but so have we. That brings us to today – with you becoming alumni of this great institution.”

Change has become second nature to Dixie State’s students and staff, Williams said, but the change of graduation is something to celebrate, not dread.

This realization is something that only recently became clear to Valedictorian Breiann Carter, a Payson native that graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a minor in psychology.

Valedictorian Breiann Carter shared her thoughts on learning to “lean into the excitement that comes with the unknown” and becoming a perpetual learner, St. George, Utah, May 6, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Dixie State University Marketing & Communication, St. George News

In her remarks, Carter shared how the finality of graduation caused a great deal of panic at first, but changing her mindset helped her change anxiety into anticipation.

“Once I decided to lean into the excitement that comes with the unknown, graduating felt less like the end of a journey and more like the beginning of another,” Carter said. “I also realized that learning doesn’t stop after we walk across the stage today and receive our diplomas. Now we get to spend the rest of our lives growing into the people we’re meant to become.”

Finally, graduates heard from keynote speaker Carly Fiorina, a former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and 2016 presidential candidate. In her philanthropy and business work, Fiorina has focused on bringing together industry, technology and talent – making her a good fit for the polytechnic institution that Dixie State is growing into.

Fiorina related experiences from her professional and personal life where she observed the limits of hard work without leadership and creativity. Instead of being like a termite, Dixie State grads should be trailblazers, she said.

“As you leave here today, don’t leave your trailblazing days behind you,” Fiorina said. “Pick your head up, find your path, look around and change things for the better. Stay a trailblazer and become a leader.”

Keynote Speaker Carly Fiorina, founder and chairman of Carly Fiorina Enterprises and former CEO of Hewlett Packard, addresses graduates during the commencement ceremony, Screenshot image courtesy of Community Education Channel, St. George News

She encouraged everyone in attendance to hold to the lessons they gained in education, and to apply what they learned for the rest of their lives.

With 2,684 degrees awarded, 2022 was a landmark year for the institution beyond the last to celebrate graduates under the name “Dixie State.”

Graduates represented 49 states and 15 countries, with the oldest recipients aged 79 and the youngest just 16. Sixty-three percent of graduates were female, following a national trend of higher achievement for female students.

The most popular bachelor’s programs were nursing, exercise science, biology, psychology and communication studies. The top five minors were social justice, chemistry, communication studies, psychology and Spanish.

After receiving their diplomas and turning their tassels to the left side to show their advancement, graduates walked and ran to greet loved ones waiting nearby.

Amy Begay, who graduated with a bachelor’s in population health with an emphasis in public health, told St. George News what she most appreciated about her experience at DSU.

A graduate smiles for a photo in a Dixie “D” after receiving his diploma at the 111th Commencement Ceremony at Dixie State University, St. George, Utah, May 6, 2022 | Photo by Ammon Teare, St. George News

“I love my experience at Dixie State – I was actually a transfer student from Utah State, and I just thought this was the best place for me,” Begay said. “I can’t believe I actually graduated. I will take everything I’ve learned here into my graduate program.”

While the graduating class takes with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, the university administration and faculty repeatedly expressed their admiration for their former students and offered help in any way they could.

To close his speech, Williams said he was grateful for the impact that students had left on the school, and he looks forward to seeing the impact they leave on the world.

“I’m looking forward to talking with you at future alumni events and seeing how you have applied the skills and knowledge you have acquired while at Dixie State to advance your careers, serve your communities and literally help change the world,” he said. “I hope you return often, and to each of you, congratulations and best wishes for a rich and fulfilling life.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ammon Teare has always considered Southern Utah his home away from home, having spent summers and holidays visiting family in Cedar City and St. George. With a love of the wilderness and a passion for writing, he’s dreamt of becoming a reporter since his elementary school days. After moving from Texas to New Mexico to Utah as he grew up, Ammon wound up studying journalism at Utah State University, where he graduated in May 2020. In his free time, you’ll find him watching the Utah Jazz or playing a board game with his wife, hiking in the great outdoors, or sprawled someplace comfortable reading a fantasy novel.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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