ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech University President Shane B. Smeed told the 2026 graduating class that they are the "reasons business and industry leaders are excited for the future."
Smeed spoke at the first of four commencement ceremonies on Wednesday, each to be held at the M. Anthony Burns Arena.
Each ceremony features talks by valedictorians from the graduating class, including those who have completed an associate degree, as well as students who have earned bachelor's and master's degrees in the humanities and social sciences, the arts, health sciences, education, science, engineering, technology and business.
Two graduation ceremonies are being held on Wednesday, and the other two on Thursday, to mark the university's 115th commencement.
"At Utah Tech University, we often talk about transformation through education," Smeed told graduates. "Your time here has not simply been about earning a degree; it has been about becoming. ... You've learned that your education is not just for you; it's a tool to serve others."
The 2026 Utah Tech graduating class consisted of 3,078 graduates, with a total of 3,781 degrees awarded. Among those graduates is a 15-year-old who earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and a 71-year-old who earned a geeneral studies certificate. 68% of graduates are female, 38% are male, and 28% are first-generation college graduates.
Smeed told graduates that "becoming and belonging are not destinations," but are instead "lifelong journeys."
"You will continue to grow, to adapt and to discover new purposes," he said. "Through it all, remember this: You are ready. Ready because you've become. Ready because you belong."
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Arianne Brown
