For the graduating class of 2025 at Utah Tech University, the commencement ceremony is going to look different compared to previous years. Each year, the ceremony has come with a host of challenges that the university is hoping to resolve with these adjustments.
Instead of holding one ceremony for all graduating students, there will be multiple ceremonies held throughout May 1-2. Associate degree recipients will have one ceremony May 1 at 7 p.m. in the M. Anthony Burns Arena. On May 2, there will be three bachelor’s and master’s ceremonies that are separated by college. Each will take place in the Burns Arena.
- The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Arts will have their ceremony at 9 a.m.
- The College of Health Sciences and College of Education will have their ceremony at 2 p.m.
- The College of Science, Engineering, and Technology and the College of Business will have their ceremony at 7 p.m.
In previous years, commencement was celebrated during a single ceremony that took place in the arena, but as Utah Tech’s student population grew, the ceremony was moved outside to Greater Zion Stadium.
This situation introduced a new problem as the outdoor temperatures in May can reach up to 80 degrees. To avoid the warm weather, the university has held a ceremony in the morning, and then another in the evening.
Del Beatty, the vice president of student affairs, is hopeful that the change will be a positive one.
“We don’t have to worry about bad weather or it being too hot or raining or windy,” Beatty said. “And so that way, we can still give a very personalized but professional [ceremony].”
Beatty also said the change might pose a challenge to faculty and staff members who want to attend commencement because they will be sitting through the various ceremonies for two days straight.
However, he said the change was made with the belief that it’d be more beneficial for the students and that he, himself, is a big advocate for them. He is optimistic about the change and hopes that the students will receive it well.
“I was really interested when it came out,” Kayla Gonzalez, a senior marketing major from Ogden, said. “I think it could be cool. I know some graduations that go on and on… I think it might meet a lot of people’s needs.”
Not all agree with this. Nathan Thomas, a senior history major from Stansbury, had a different point of view on the matter.
“My energy is, I understand the need for the change, but it will make graduation less exciting,” Thomas said. “I think things will be a little more organized. I mean, they were having logistical issues with the graduation previously… but, you know, it is a little less exciting that we won’t get to see everyone that we’re graduating with.”
More information about the ceremonies, including a detailed schedule that includes lineup times for the graduates can be found here.
