SALT LAKE CITY, May 3, 2024—Today, Salt Lake Community College proudly celebrated the achievements of more than 3000 graduates during its 2024 Commencement Ceremony at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.
SLCC’s Class of 2024 comprises 3,169 students, including 1,429 first-generation college students and 164 military veterans. Graduates range in age from 16 to 67, and most earned degrees are from the school’s general studies and general education programs followed by business, nursing, and psychology.
“At its best, college helps us understand ourselves, make sense of the world around us, and challenges us to use our knowledge and skills to strengthen our communities,” said SLCC President Deneece G. Huftalin, who presided over her final, and tenth, commencement prior to retiring. “That is our goal at SLCC—inclusive and transformative education that strengthens the communities we serve through the success of our students. Looking out at this graduating class, I have never been more certain that our future is in good hands.”
Olympic Gold Medalist Erin Jackson delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. She encouraged students that, “When you stumble in life, as we all do, many times, when you stumble in pursuit of whatever it is you dream of, remember that it is an opportunity to refocus, to recommit to whatever your goal happens to be. Stumble, refocus, and move forward.” She reminded the new graduates to keep things in perspective and that they are tougher than they realize. Be willing to be uncomfortable, because pushing through discomfort results in self-growth and a realization that you are capable of more than you thought.
In addition to recognizing graduates, during the ceremony SLCC honored several community leaders. Philanthropist and businesswoman Katharine B. Garff and political and business leader Patricia Jones-Horton were bestowed Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees. Outside of philanthropic and volunteer work, Garff is the chair of Ken Garff Automotive. Jones-Horton was co-founder and former president of Dan Jones & Associates, a prominent public opinion and market research firm. She was the first female legislator to hold leadership positions in both the Utah House and Senate.
The college also paid tribute to two former students with its Distinguished Alumni Award. Jim Russell, associate vice president in Facilities at the University of Utah (U of U), and Lianna Kinard, chief marketing officer of The Buckner Company. Both were recognized for their contributions to their communities and professions.
Russell started at SLCC in the Electrician Apprenticeship program in 1985 and went onto build a highly successful career in the construction industry He eventually became the director of the Utah Division of Facilities and Construction Management, before moving to the U of U this year. He returned to SLCC as an adjunct professor in the College’s electrician program from 2008-2012. For Kinard, SLCC was an affordable and welcoming starting point into higher education. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business and a Master of Liberal Arts in General Management from Harvard University. Kinard is the chief marketing officer for The Buckner Company, a premier insurance brokerage firm.
Also recognized was Utah Representative Jordan D. Teuscher as the recipient of SLCC’s 2024 Legislative Champion Award. He serves in House leadership as vice-chair of the House Rules Committee and chair of the House Ethics Committee. Representative Teuscher has worked to understand the needs and perspectives of SLCC and its students. In 2023, he consulted with SLCC as he sponsored a bill to grant residency status to students who have applied for or been granted certain immigration status but are not U.S. citizens.
Several faculty members were also acknowledged during the ceremony. Ryan Holcomb, Stacey Van Dahm, and Matt Affolter received this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards in recognition of their commitment to providing outstanding education.
The college also named Melissa Hardy as its Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, an accolade recognizing her work in reigniting the natural curiosity of students in an age of standardized curriculum in higher education. She will develop this topic into a public presentation over the course of an academic year.
In addition, seven students were bestowed with SLCC’s Graduates of Excellence Award, a prestigious distinction that recognizes hard work and selflessness. Honorees included Charito Kent, Lexus Lindeman, Marissa Glover, Ellianys Pupo Restrepo, Shawntell Ricord, Alyssa Korologos, and Jacquelin Hutch.
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