University of Utah 2015 Commencement: Largest in School’s History
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MAY 7, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – According to Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student loan debt has soared in the past decade from $240 billion at the start of 2003 to nearly $1 trillion today, but that hasn’t stopped many from seeking higher education and based on the size of the graduating class of 2015 at the University of Utah, it hasn’t hurt some universities at all.
This years commencement ceremonies at the University of Utah are the largest the school has ever seen. There are 8,363 students who will receive diplomas this year and of that number is a melting pot of students from all over the world. The class of 2015 represents 24 Utah counties, 50 U.S. states and 77 countries.
The statistics of this year’s graduates are awe inspiring to say the least. Of the 8,363 graduates, 8,830 degrees will be conferred (some receive more than one degree). The university will be handing out 5,665 bachelor’s degrees; 2,158 master’s degrees; 744 doctoral degrees; 124 juris doctors; 80 doctors of medicine; and 59 doctors of pharmacy.
With 4515 men and 3848 women receiving diplomas, the youngest recipient is 19 and the oldest is 71.
Senior vice president for academic affairs Ruth Watkins told University of Utah reporter Annalisa Purser: “The university has made a concerted effort to create an environment that supports academic success and leads to graduation, this year’s increased class size is a testament to the great work that has been done across campus to fulfill this mission.”
For some, today marks the end of a long journey and the excitement for things to come is great. Jaren McCormick, who is receiving his bachelors in business management said: “It’s everything I’ve worked for throughout the past eight years, I’m relieved and excited to see what is in store for me in the future.”
The commencement exercises begin tonight May 7, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Jon M. Huntsman center and President Pershing will officiate at the event. The University’s keynote speaker is Robert A. McDonald, U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs, and an alumnus of the university and former president and CEO of Procter & Gamble, Co.
