Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- The University of Utah graduated thousands of students Friday at a ceremony at the Huntsman Center.
The graduates basked in celebration on a sunny day, ready for the next step on their path.
"It feels great! It feels terrific! I'm excited!" said graduate Seth Craig. "I can't wait to go tonight and turn my tassel!"
"[I'm] excited but nervous," said graduate Shelisa Dalton.
Graduate Sean Osborn said, "[I'm] relieved. I can go home and relax now take it easy for a little bit."
Utah's former governor, now U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman had a commencement message for graduates: Don't fear failure.
Huntsman dedicated his comments to his sister Kathleen, who died last month "succumbing to life's challenges."
He told graduates they'll need five "F's" to get a passing grade in life: find yourself, follow your heart, find a cause, face failure and find someone to love.
"Everyone will make mistakes. They are the dues owed to life, but learning from them in order not to make them again is the key to a happy and successful journey," Huntsman said.
"It's hard not to get discouraged. His point was to just keep trying," said graduate Kelsey Gaustad. "I think those were good comments."
The ambassador also told the students to value their freedom and take an active role in the shaping of the country. He said previous generations stepped up to the task, and he expects nothing less from this generation.
"You see the prospect of driving knowledge deeper into deprived communities, lifting the poor from desperation and bringing about greater world peace," Huntsman said.
But before jumping onto the world, many graduates plan to head to graduate school, well aware of the tough job market.
"Things are tough, as far as people getting jobs, and there are a lot of my friends who are looking for jobs and not quite moving out of the parents' houses and cheaper apartments until they're able to get some secure jobs for a couple of years," Craig said.
"I'm actually going to be staying on and doing a master's [degree] and probably a PhD," said graduate Adam Olsen. "[I'm going to] stay out of the job market for now."
For the record, the youngest recipient of a bachelor's degree Friday was 18; the oldest 74.
E-mail: jdaley@ksl.com.
