Weber State’s first cohort of physician assistants graduated in December 2024. The Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions launched the Master of Physician Assistant Studies in 2023 to fulfill the community’s growing need for qualified medical providers. Mariah Palter joined the program after earning her undergraduate degree in microbiology. While challenging, she said the master’s program was an incredible experience. “I’m so glad I chose Weber and would not have wanted to go anywhere else,” she said.
“I’m so glad I chose Weber and would not have wanted to go anywhere else.” — Mariah Palter
7 BUSINESS STUDENTS ACCEPTED INTO CARNEGIE MELLON GRADUATE PROGRAMS
After graduating from Weber State in spring 2025, seven John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics students went on to Carnegie Mellon University to earn their master’s degrees, marking a 100% acceptance rate for WSU business students who applied.
More than 50 Weber State students have attended grad school at CMU since 2018, when Weber signed an educational partnership with the university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
WSU professor Randy Boyle said the partnership, which includes summer internship opportunities at CMU, provides students with a pathway to better jobs, higher salaries, and faster promotions.
Olivia Brown earned degrees in management information systems and business economics at WSU and received a full scholarship to CMU. She plans to study business intelligence and data analytics, eyeing a career in risk modeling based on her experience working at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and her undergraduate research conducted under the guidance of professors Gavin Roberts and Brandon Koford.
Isaiah Wood earned a management information systems degree from WSU and is interested in community safety. He’ll study information security policy and management at CMU.
100%
Acceptance rate for
WSU Goddard School students
“I’m studying how digital and physical attacks can impact our power grids, water supplies, and national defense systems,” Wood said. “I’m committed to protecting our communities.”
Wood appreciates the mentorship and guidance WSU faculty provided during his undergraduate studies. “My professors have shown me the strength and quality of our education,” he said. “They’ve affirmed that we belong in high-achieving positions. I can’t wait to see what more we will do.”
AMAZING AUDIENCES LOCALLY & INTERNATIONALLY
SYMPHONIC BAND WOWS STATE BANDMASTERS
The Weber State Symphonic Band performed for the Utah Bandmasters Association Conference in St. George, Utah, in January. The band was selected through an audition process and prepared for the event throughout the fall 2024 semester.
Under the direction of Steven Hendricks, the WSU students gave a masterful performance for most of Utah’s middle school, junior high, high school, and college band directors.
“The performance earned a standing ovation from perhaps the most discriminating audience any band from Weber State has ever performed for,” Hendricks said. “This performance solidified our place as a true destination for students looking to pursue a degree in music or simply to continue playing their instrument in college.”
The band received a plaque from the Utah Bandmasters Association honoring its achievement, and Hendricks received a citation of excellence.
Photo courtesy of Sam Bryson
“The performance earned a standing ovation from perhaps the most discriminating audience any band from Weber State has ever performed for.”— Steven Hendricks
Photo courtesy of Yu-Jane Yang
ORCHESTRA AND CHOIRS TRAVEL TO SPAIN
The WSU Symphony Orchestra and choirs traveled to southern Spain to perform two sold-out concerts and visit monuments in several cities in the spring. Francisco de Galvez, director of orchestral studies at WSU and a native of Málaga, Spain, led the study abroad concert tour. Assistant professor Dalan Guthrie directed the choir. WSU Director of Keyboard Studies Yu-Jane Yang, Director of Strings Studies Shi-Hwa Wang, and Spanish cellist Cesar Jimenez served as soloists. WSU students and faculty interacted with local artists, teachers, and institutions, including the Conservatorio Superior de Música de Málaga and the Diputación de Málaga, the cultural government office that invited the group.
FIRST STUDENT TO UTILIZE
TECHTRANSFER GRADUATES FROM WSU
Rebekah Richter is the first student to graduate by taking advantage of TechTransfer, which allows anyone with a Utah technical college certificate to earn up to 21 elective credits toward any undergraduate certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree at Weber State. Richter initially came to WSU in 2020 but paused to focus on family. The cosmetology certificate she later earned at Ogden-Weber Technical College equated to 21 credits at WSU, allowing her to complete an associate degree in general studies — finishing what she started five years prior. She plans to return for a bachelor’s degree.
Rebekah Richter with her husband, Tyler, and their two children
Photo courtesy of Rebekah Richter
MEDIA STUDENTS DISPLAY CREATIVITY AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
First place winners in the music video category, David Guerrero (second from left) and Chloe Kinnavongsa (third from right), and second place short narrative film and Award of Excellence for a short film winner Dustin Bessire (second from right) celebrate with classmates at the BEA’s Festival of Media Arts. Photo courtesy of Studio 76
For Assistant Professor of Digital Media Aaron Atkins, the highlight of the Broadcast Educators Association and National Association of Broadcasters conference in Las Vegas last April wasn’t presenting on his research or serving as a panelist. It was watching 14 WSU students experience the event.
“Our students perform at such a high level, and their creativity is fantastic,” Atkins said. “I love to see them recognized for it.”
During the four-day conference and trade show, several media production students received awards for their work and served as panelists at various sessions at the BEA Festival of Media Arts. They also explored career options, networked with professionals in the field, and got an inside look at the latest trends in broadcast and media.
Atkins said they were “like kids at the candy store, seeing all the industry’s shiny new toys.” The conference also helped them appreciate the quality equipment they get to learn on at Weber State compared to students at other schools.
For recent film studies graduate Chloe Kinnavongsa, interacting with the state-of-the-art equipment she had only previously seen online felt like a dream. She also pushed herself out of her comfort zone by speaking on a panel after a video she co-created with fellow film studies student David Guerrero won first place.
“This was such a moment of validation, the first time being recognized as a filmmaker,” said Kinnavongsa. She loved “getting to network with other filmmakers, hear their stories, and share ideas. It reminded me that filmmaking is not just about the tools we use but also about the people we collaborate with. Listening to others’ creative journeys was both inspiring and humbling.”
Guerrero, who grew up in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, said he is “eternally grateful” for the second chance scholarship he received when he came back to school in 2023, and for the support of faculty like Atkins.
“Being at Weber State has been one of the biggest and most rewarding experiences I’ve had,” Guerrero said. “I’ve been so lucky to have met the people I did at Weber State and all the support I’ve received.”
David Guerrero and Chloe Kinnavongsa won first place in the Music Video category for The Necklace Song.
Recent digital media graduate Dusty Bessire won second place in the Short Narrative Film Screenwriting category for Quiet, Arlo.
Film studies major and cross country standout Peter Visser received an Award of Excellence for his screenplay No Father of Mine.
Bessire, Zander Cooper, and Ashlynn Maughan earned an Award of Excellence for their short film Limelight.
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