Commencement 2021: Honorary Doctorate

SLCC's 2021 in-person commencement ceremony will take place Aug. 6 at the Maverik Center. For more information, click here.

Honorary Doctorates

Salt Lake Community College has been awarding Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees to deserving individuals since 1955. The SLCC Board of Trustees selects two outstanding individuals in the community who have achieved distinction, made extraordinary contributions to their professional fields and made a meaningful impact in their communities and/or to higher education to receive this honor.

Terry L. Grant

Former President, KeyBank Utah Market

Since age 11, Terry Grant has had an appreciation for teamwork and other cultures when his parents joined Amway Corporation and, with all hands-on deck, his family built a strong, direct-sales organization. Later, on a mission for his church, he learned to deal with rejection and the importance of knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses. With those skills in his back pocket, Terry went to work as a young man at ZCMI, where he met his future wife, the late Janet Resse Grant. They wed and the couple moved to Denver, where he began a 35-year banking career, starting as a teller.

He graduated from Brigham Young University and then from the Thunderbird School of Global Management with an International MBA. He rose through the banking ranks at Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto and Credit Lyonnais New York, serving large Wall Street firms. After 9/11, Terry and Janet felt compelled to return to Utah, where he was given opportunities to work for other banks and even start a new one. Five years ago, he became president of the KeyBank Utah Market, a position he held until retirement in 2020. Through his working years, Terry has committed himself to treating people right and fair, taking risks that move you outside your comfort zone and listening more than you speak.

He also believes in giving back without expecting anything in return. One of the ways Terry gives back is by supporting Salt Lake Community College’s PACE program, which helps high school students navigate a path to college with the aid of scholarships. “SLCC plays a critical role in our community,” he says. “Many don’t have educational or economic support systems at home and do not want to go the traditional university route.” The college, he believes, gives students the opportunity to build a firm foundation for life.

Comments

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

The Center for Prior Learning Receives an Honorable Mention

Today, SLCC's Credit for Prior Learning department received an Honorable Mention from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL ) and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education for its intentional approach and for expanding student options to receive credit for prior learning. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to obtain college credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside of the traditional academic environment. This is exceptionally beneficial for adult learners, who, according to CAEL, have a 17% higher chance of graduating compared to those adults who don’t earn credits through prior learning programs. The CPL department at SLCC was created in 2020 and since then the volume of students served has grown as the department continues to expand. To be eligible for CPL, students must be working towards a degree, certificate, or apprenticeship. Director of Credit for Prior Learning at SLCC, Andrea Tipton, mentioned fee...

Board of Higher Ed names Gregory F. Peterson 9th SLCC President

The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously selected Gregory F. Peterson, Ed.D., as the ninth president of Salt Lake Community College today, following an extensive national search. Peterson will assume the position on July 1, 2024, and succeeds Deneece G. Huftalin, who served as president from 2014-2024. “I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as Salt Lake Community College’s next president, and I look forward to reinforcing SLCC’s commitment to providing educational pathways for transfer and workforce that improve the lives of every member of our community,” Peterson said. “SLCC has an amazing future ahead, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that journey.” As part of its delegated duties and responsibilities, the SLCC Board of Trustees named an 11-member committee in December 2023 to conduct a national search for the next president of SLCC. The committee is composed of representatives from the Utah Board of Higher Education and SLCC trustees, facul...

Official SLCC Blog

Search This Blog