WSU Commencement Celebrates Class of 2018
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University officials expect the class of 2017-18 to total more than 5,772 graduates — the largest class on record. So far, 3,150 candidates have applied for spring graduation and will be honored April 27 during WSU’s 151st commencement. Others received their diplomas during winter commencement ceremonies.
“This group of graduating Wildcats and I have something in common,” said WSU President Charles A. Wight, who is leaving the university shortly after commencement to assume a presidency at Salisbury University. “After an amazing time at Weber State, filled with growth, friendship and learning, we are embarking on new adventures. I wish the graduates my very best on their journeys."
Graduates attending commencement in the Dee Events Center will receive a commemorative medallion to mark the occasion. The ceremony’s academic processional begins at 8 a.m., followed by the formal program.
Sir Chris Bonington, a celebrated British mountaineer, will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary degree. Bonington began climbing when he was 16 years old. Since then, he has logged many mountaineering successes around the world. His adventurous spirit has led him to 19 Himalayan expeditions, four of which were to Mount Everest. He led a 1975 British expedition that summited the Southwest Face of Everest, the first successful climb of a face on that peak. He summited Everest in 1985 at the age of 50. His last Everest trip was in 1991 from Tibet.
Bonington serves as the chancellor’s ambassador for Lancaster University, after previously serving there as chancellor for a decade. There, he enjoys climbing with students from the Lancaster University Climbing Club. He served as president of the United Kingdom’s Council for National Parks (now Campaign for National Parks) for eight years. His service has also included president of the British Mountaineering Council, president of the British Orienteering Foundation, chairman of the Mount Everest Foundation and president of the Alpine Club. In addition to his most well-known work, he had a career in the British army’s Royal Tank Regiment and was an instructor in the Army Outward Bound School. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
He is the author of 17 books and has appeared on many television programs, as well as presented and lectured across the world.
In addition to Bonington, three others will receive honorary degrees: Dixie Blackinton, a retired WSU math instructor with more than 20 years’ teaching experience; Jill Parrish, a WSU alumna and Utah federal judge; and the Reverend France Davis, who has provided an unwavering voice for equality and led the Calvary Baptist Church for more than 40 years.
The 2018 Brady Presidential Distinguished Professors also will be honored during the ceremony. This year’s recipients are Geography Professor Dan Bedford, Economics Professor Therese Grijalva and Communications Professor Sheree Josephson.
Graduating in both international business economics and English literature, Eric Gibson, will be the student graduate speaker. During his time at WSU, Gibson traveled to Germany with the Goddard School of Business & Economics to work on his senior research project. He enjoyed Europe so much he hopes to travel there eventually to pursue a master’s degree.
Beginning at 10 a.m., each of WSU’s academic colleges will hold individual convocations at various locations, where graduates will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Lunch will be served in the Shepherd Union Atrium from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Each graduate received two complimentary tickets to the lunch at the time they picked up their caps and gowns. Additional tickets may be purchased for $11 at the Shepherd Union Information Desk.
“Putting Students Through,” a short program where graduates honor parents, spouses and friends who supported them, will be held April 26 in the Shepherd Union Ballroom at 4 p.m.
By May 4, the commencement ceremony can be streamed on WSU’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/weberstateu.
Parking will be free throughout the day on April 27. Campus shuttle buses will run every five minutes from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. with stops on the east and west side of the Dee Events Center, Val A. Browning Center, Stewart Library and McKay Education Building.
American Sign Language services will be available at the Dee Events Center in Section S at the base of Portal 17. Graduates with special needs should contact the director of Services for Students with Disabilities, Don Guthrie at 801-626-6856.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
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Allison Barlow Hess, public relations director
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