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LOGAN — Graduates at Utah State University heard words of advice from a familiar voice during commencement Saturday.
Stew Morrill, head coach of Aggie basketball for the past 17 years who announced his retirement early this year, kept things light for the roughly 2,000 people gathered in USU's Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
"I really do need to apologize to all of you," Morrill said. "President (Stan) Albrecht asked me to speak at commencement when I announced in January that I would be retiring at the end of the season. Not long after that, Mitt Romney announced that he was available as a commencement speaker. So UVU got Mitt, and you're stuck with me."
The students didn't seem to mind as his name echoed from the rows of graduates, much as it did from the student section during Aggie basketball games.
Morrill's message was clear throughout his address: "Laugh or you're gonna die. Some people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the most of everything that comes along their way. You control your attitude, you control your life."
It was a strong year for the research university, whose eight colleges awarded 5,830 degrees this year, more than a 30 percent increase from five years ago, according to the Utah System of Higher Education. That includes 1,066 associate, 3,818 bachelor's, 835 master's and 104 doctorate degrees.
Among USU's class of 2015 was Rebekah Hobbs, a native of Preston, Idaho. For her, Saturday was the culmination of five years of work as a business major.
Utah State was awesome, especially the program I was in. I basically did all types of classes: I did on campus for a while, I did evening classes and I did online. So it was really nice to have that flexibility to actually be able to complete my degree, because that's something I really wanted. And I knew if I didn't finish in one shot, I would never go back just because college is tough.
–Rebekah Hobbs
"I never thought I'd be here. It feels great," Hobbs said.
After getting married, Hobbs and her husband moved to Dickinson, North Dakota, where she is now a business manager at a welding company. The move was difficult, adding complications to being able to complete her degree while working full time hundreds of miles away from campus.
But USU allowed her to finish her degree online and find alternative ways to make college work with her family life.
"Utah State was awesome, especially the program I was in," she said. "I basically did all types of classes: I did on campus for a while, I did evening classes and I did online. So it was really nice to have that flexibility to actually be able to complete my degree, because that's something I really wanted. And I knew if I didn't finish in one shot, I would never go back just because college is tough."
USU President Stan Albrecht said what he most loved about the university is how the students give back and contribute to causes around the world, such as through Engineers Without Borders, the America Reads program and the Utah Conservation Corps.
"Along with all of your academic and extracurricular achievements, this is one of the reasons why I admire and respect you so much," Albrecht told the graduates. "I will always be grateful for the special opportunity that you have given me to share these experiences with you."
Morrill encouraged the students to make the same effort as they "endure" through life.
"We all have heard and talked about the pursuit of happiness," he said. "That's fine, but real joy comes from the happiness of pursuit. Find your passion and pursue it with all your heart."
The basketball coach was awarded an honorary doctorate of education and praised for his efforts to boost academic achievement among student athletes. During his tenure, USU's basketball team reached a graduation rate of nearly 95 percent, generating 21 different players over the years who earned academic all-conference honors a total of 37 times.
Also honored was Crystal Maggelet, co-founder of the Crystal Inn as well as president and CEO of FJ Management Inc., formerly known as Flying J. She recieved an honorary doctor of business degree.
Richard Shipley, retired founder of Shipley Associates and member of USU's Foundation Board, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
