Byron R. Burnham, Utah State University’s dean of graduate studies, opened the university’s 117thCommencement activities with the Graduate Commencement and Hooding Ceremony. He welcomed the graduate candidates and recognized their academic accomplishments during the May 4 event.
“We recognize your efforts and celebrate your academic accomplishments,” Burnham said. “We honor you for your exceptional achievements. And to the family, friends and loved ones who are here today, we give thanks for the immeasurable support shown today’s graduates.”
Thirty-one doctoral degrees were awarded along with 331 master’s degrees.
Utah State University President Stan Albrecht offered his congratulations to the gathered students.
“We are honored to be here today,” he said. “We share our thanks and appreciation that you chose to come to USU for your education.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the university’s Outstanding Graduate mentor Awards to Basudeb Biswas and Michael B. Toney.
Biswas is a professor of economics. His career at USU spans 31 years, where he has chaired 21 doctoral committees. “Dr. Biswas earns the trust of his students through consideration and respect as he encourages each one to give his or her very best academic effort,” his award citation reads. “Helping his students succeed during their graduate studies and beyond is his passion in life.”
Toney is a professor of sociology and his career at USU spans more than 34 years. From the beginning, he has been involved with graduate committees, having served on more than 50 thesis and dissertation committees from sociology. He encourages graduate students to publish research manuscripts and present their findings at professional meetings. “Dr. Toney encourages students to take responsibility for their professional development by modeling that behavior,” his citation said. “He takes the time to teach and guide … his ability to build confidence in his students is one of his finest attributes.”
Master’s degree and doctoral candidates completed the hooding ceremony, and President Albrecht conferred the appropriate degrees.
“We now welcome you to the academy of scholars that exists around the world,” Burnham said. “You now move on. All of us are, or should be, concerned about relationships. Scientists, accountants, educators, social scientists, engineers and humanists are all concerned with relationships. Some of us measure them, some of us explain them, and all of us experience them.”
During their time at Utah State, the graduates have been involved in a variety of relationships, and have the tools to continue to develop and foster relationships, Burnham said.
“The tools include careful analysis, insightful questions and patient listening,” he said. “Keep those tools current and you will have personal success. Additionally, and actually more importantly, those tools will help you in helping our world heal itself. And when you think about it, that is not a bad investment.”
To see the Hooding Ceremony video and scrapbook, see the Commencement Archives.
