U.S. diplomat shares why what he learned at SLCC matters now more than ever—intellectual humility, fighting certainty of thought, and leaning into curiosity.
Today, May 9, Salt Lake Community College proudly celebrated the achievements of more than 3000 graduates during its 2025 Commencement Ceremony at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.
SLCC’s Class of 2025 comprises 3,385 students, including 1,580 first-generation college students and 151 military veterans. Graduates range in age from 16 to 67, and the most earned degrees are from the General Studies and General Education programs followed by Nursing, Business, and Computer Science & Information Systems.
“To be a part of the energy and excitement of this day, surrounded by thousands who have just achieved a hard-earned milestone in their lives, fills me up with hope for our future and awe at the immense potential among this class of graduates,” said SLCC President Greg Peterson, who presided over his first SLCC commencement since becoming SLCC’s president last July.
U.S. diplomat Branigan Knowlton, a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State, and an SLCC alumnus, delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. “My time at the community college changed the way I saw the world, and it changed what I wanted from life,” said Knowlton who shared stories from three of his SLCC classes that influenced him and why what he learned is relevant to them today.
“The world is too complex for simple answers. But we combat that certainty with intellectual humility, admitting our knowledge is limited, being open to changing our minds, and listening to opposing view,” said Knowlton who saw this modeled at SLCC. He also spoke about the importance of fighting certainty of thought with curiosity. “When each of us is so certain, it stops our collective progress, fuels fear, and quietly, insidiously steers us toward doom. But curiosity, more than hope, is the true opposite of doom,” said Knowlton.
In addition to recognizing graduates, during the ceremony, SLCC honored philanthropists Alan Hall and Jeanne Nowak Hall as leaders in supporting education and emphasizing the importance of service to communities. The couple were each bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Alan is the founder of several global companies, including Blue Sky Energy Corporation and MarketStar and Jeanne, who used to work as a high school counselor, is president of the Alan and Jeanne Hall Foundation.
The college also paid tribute to two former students with its Distinguished Alumni Award. Dawn Ramsey, the mayor of the City of South Jordan, and Danny Stirland, principal of Kearns High School, were recognized for their contributions to their communities and professions.
Ramsey experienced SLCC at two very different points in her life. The first time, she was just a few years out of high school, and later, after raising six children, she returned to the College to earn a General Studies degree. Soon after graduating from SLCC, Ramsey was elected as South Jordan’s first ever female mayor. She went on to complete a bachelor’s degree at Brigham Young University in Family Science with emphasis in Political Science and Civic Engagement Leadership.
For Stirland, SLCC was an affordable option that gave him access to professors and small class sizes. He went on to attend the University of Utah, where he earned a bachelor’s in Health and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. He has been a part of the Kearns High School’s community for 25 years, first as a student, then as a basketball coach, then as a history teacher, and now as the school’s principal.
Also recognized was Utah State Senator and Majority Assistant Whip Michael McKell as the recipient of SLCC’s 2025 Legislative Champion Award. Since taking office in 2013, he has been dedicated to supporting SLCC and higher education in Utah and is the former chair and a current member of the Higher Education Appropriations Committee and sits on the Senate Education Committee. He also chairs the Utah Higher Education and Corrections Council and is an ardent supporter of incarcerated students and SLCC’s successful Prison Education Program.
Several faculty members were also acknowledged during the ceremony. N. Carolina Bloem, Kristen Hall, and Emmanuel Santa-Martinez all received this year’s Teaching Excellence Awards in recognition of their commitment to providing outstanding education.
The college also named Andrew Vogt as its Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, an accolade recognizing his work as an associate professor of engineering. Vogt’s will draw from his teaching methods and research to develop a public presentation in which he will use running as a lens to examine how curiosity drives exploration and how efficiency promotes sustainability of inquiry.
In addition, eight students were bestowed with SLCC ’s Graduates of Excellence Award, a prestigious distinction that recognizes hard work and selflessness. Honorees included:
· Cassidie Archuleta, School of Health Sciences, Radiologic Technology.
· Carlyn Barlow, School of Technical and Professional Specialties, Apprenticeship Electrical Independent Technology.
· Emma Barucija, School of Arts, Communication and Media, Architectural Technology.
· Tawananyasha Dzenga, Gail Miller Business School, Business.
· Marilyn Howard, General Studies.
· Tran Huynh, School of Science, Mathematics and Engineering, Biology.
· Lacy Lowry, Salt Lake Technical College, Diesel and Professional, Truck Driving.
· Natalie Cabrera Mansilla, School of Humanities and Social Science, Psychology.
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