ODMA and TRIO Celebrate Excellence in Diversity

There is a lot to celebrate at SLCC, and campuses are full of parties and recognitions before commencement. The Office of Multicultural Affairs and TRIO paired up on May 5 to recognize students of diversity and those who are the first in their families to graduate from college.

Virgil Johnson.

The Excellence in Diversity Event started with a smudging ceremony by Virgil Johnson of the Confederated Tribes of the Goshute. Johnson explained to those gathered that the smoke in the smudging ceremony cleanses the body, mind, and spirit. He said it’s a way to let out the bad and let in the good. In his native language, he cleansed the graduating students in attendance. Throughout the ritual, Johnson took the time to expound on the meaning of what he was doing and invited those gathered to participate with specific symbolic gestures.

ODMA Director Ulysses Tonga’onevai (far right) participates in smudging ceremony

The respectful silence during the smudging ceremony contrasted with the loud and exuberant music that came after. The live band Lahir played out on the patio as students, and their invited guests ate lunch and mingled. Many took advantage of the selfie/photo station outside the Student Event Center to snap pictures and post them on social media.

Students and guests have fun taking pictures at the selfie/photo station

Students also received regalia, recognizing first generation students and celebrating students with diverse backgrounds, to wear at commencement.

Provost Sanders presents a student with a diversity stole for commencement

Terry Lene Warren of Magna Utah brought her daughter to the celebration. She said that going back to school to get an associate degree in psychology after graduating from high school in 1995 was a huge “personal challenge.” She said the support of her daughter, who graduated from SLCC last year, helped her persevere. Warren is enrolled at Weber and plans to continue her studies in psychology.

Terry Lene Warren.

Earning an associate degree in Computer Science is particularly significant for first-generation student Ronald Foster as he dropped out of high school at 14. Foster doesn’t dwell on that time but does credit the Trio STEM scholarship as making all the difference in being able to pursue a degree in higher education. He says that “I probably wouldn’t have been able to afford to go to school without that scholarship.” Ronald was thrilled to celebrate his accomplishments with fellow students and Trio staff before transferring from SLCC to the University of Utah, where he will continue his studies in computer science with an emphasis on software development. With encouragement and assistance from Trio staff, this Taylorsville native has been accepted into the honors program at the University of Utah.

Ronald Foster.

Arleth Miramontes plans to put her associate degree in business to good use as she pursues her dream of someday running her own hair salon. She plans to start cosmetology school in the fall. Her parents and boyfriend celebrated her accomplishments with her at the Excellence in Diversity Event. After moving from California, the family has lived in West Valley for the past 15 years. Miramontes says that she came to SLCC because it's “way less tuition.” Her father, Arcadio Miramontes, said, “I like that she is getting ready to be on her way and happy.”

Arleth Miramontes celebrates with her boyfriend and parents

Ulysses Tonga’onevai, ODMA director, said that celebrating diversity and recognizing the achievements of first generation students is essential because “We stand on the shoulder of those who came before us as we prepare our shoulders for those who will come after us.”

The Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs ODMA supports underrepresented ethnic students through mentoring, student access and success coaching, workshops, cultural programming and more. TRIO Programs provide support for low income and first generation college students to access, graduate and attain their educational, career, and personal goals in preparation for contributing to a global workforce.

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