Utah State University Tooele Celebrates 2026 Graduating Class

Utah State University Tooele celebrated its class of 2026 with commencement exercises taking place on Friday, April 17 as part of USU’s 139th commencement ceremony. Comprising 61 individuals, the Tooele Region Class of 2026 earned 17 associate, 25 bachelor’s, and 20 master’s degrees and one certificate.

Graduates were celebrated with a ceremony at Deseret Peak High School. Jennifer Cowburn, USU Tooele associate vice president, welcomed the graduates and guests.

“We are here for one reason – to celebrate the achievements of you, our students and our leaders of tomorrow, as you close this period of your life and begin your new journey,” Cowburn said to graduates. “I believe that Utah State University’s Tooele campus teaches, equips, and empowers you with the knowledge and skills to make your dreams come true.”

Cowburn then introduced the student speakers, Ashley Herrera and Natalie Waters. Herrera, a Tooele native, received a bachelor’s degree in pre-nursing. Waters is a first-generation graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

In the speech, Herrera recounted her experience as a student and mother, always having to balance assignments with all of her other life demands. She shared how many times, she pushed her deadlines to the wire, often submitting assignments at the final minute. But, she found the strength and willpower to push through.

“I refused to quit,” she said. “And I know I wasn’t the only one. Because somewhere along the way we found what we needed to keep going.”

She closed by encouraging her fellow graduates to focus on today and to never forget the things they had accomplished.

Waters then began her address with a list of unexpected changes she has weathered. Among them was changing majors halfway through school, and leaving behind one childhood dream to fulfill an even deeper passion. Using the skills she obtained at USU as well as her passion for racecar driving, she would found a non-profit to help end bullying in schools. Through these changes, USU was there to change right along with her.

“My favorite part about coming to USU is that it has grown with me,” Waters said. “When I wanted to stay home and save money, I went to the Tooele campus. When I wanted to move out and experience life in Logan, it was there. When I became too busy with my foundation and racing career, it went online with me.”

She closed her speech with an analogy from her experience driving racecars, telling each graduate that they have completed the last lap and are standing on top of the podium.

Cowburn then introduced the commencement speaker, Donna Dillingham-Evans, former dean of USU Tooele from 2013-16. Dillingham-Evans opened her speech by congratulating the graduates for their accomplishment. She then gave advice for the future, cautioning graduates to not choose comfort for comfort’s sake, but to continue to challenge themselves and go after the life they want.

“Although you can’t control everything, you definitely can control the direction of your life,” she closed. “And some risks are worth change, upheaval and short-term discomfort. You are allowed at any point along your journey to change your mind; to pivot in new directions; to start over. You are just figuring it out. Just like everyone else.”

USU President Brad L. Mortensen then provided a short message and conferred upon the students their degrees. Once the graduates received their diplomas, Whitney Boudrero, senior director of Alumni Engagement, delivered a welcome address.

Located in the valley of the Oquirrh Mountains, Utah State University Tooele offers students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings, USU Tooele offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at tooele.usu.edu.