Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Week of May 2, 2022
Page 2 - The Utah Statesman, May 2, 202
Letter from the president
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Dear 2022 Graduates, Congratulations on the completion of your degree or certificate program at Utah State University! Your achievement is made even more significant by the challenges of completing a portion of your college experience during a global pandemic. I personally commend you for your success. During this celebration of your graduation, I invite you to share your accomplishment, not only with fellow students, but also with family and friends who have supported you on your academic journey. I am grateful for the legacy you leave at Utah State University. The successes of this graduating class are impressive and wide-ranging, demonstrating the
resilience and fortitude that has sustained you through your years at USU. You have persisted and grown in ways both measurable, such as the college credential you have earned, and immeasurable, such as friendships and memories you have formed while here. These experiences have led to incredible personal growth throughout the student body. As part of the Utah State University alumni family, you not only join other pioneers, innovators and achievers, you will hold a special place among them by graduating at a moment in time that was previously unthinkable. Thank you for continuing your journey and showing enormous strength in the face of so many hurdles.
Your graduation is not an ending, though; it is the beginning of a foundation upon which you will build a life and career. I am thrilled to have you join an amazing group of Aggie alumni around the world who are making significant impacts in numerous ways. I sincerely hope you have enjoyed your time here, and I look forward to hearing what you accomplish after graduation. Congratulations Class of 2022. In the meantime, stay Aggie strong! Sincerely, Noelle E. Cockett President Utah State University
By Maggie Erekson NEWS STAFF WRITER
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ost students wouldn’t consider math to be a stress reliever, but that’s just part of what makes senior Jonathan Mousley unique. Mousley, who will be graduating this spring with a degree in mathematics and a minor in mechanical engineering, has dedicated his time here at Utah State University to helping his fellow students and community. “My very first week of classes I interviewed for a tutoring position in the math center,” Mousley said. “That was really fun. University was a somewhat stressful transition for me, but I’ve always had a knack for math, so being able to relieve that stress for my peers really allowed me to forget about my problems and focus on helping them.” The real turning point, according to Mousley, was during his sophomore year when he became a recitation leader and had the opportunity to work with professors and students as a teacher himself. “That’s been one of the hallmark pieces of my experience here at USU and something I really look forward to each week,” Mousley said. “I’ve developed a passion for teaching and communicating things that I care about. And it’s taught me that it’s important to balance your life in terms of what helps you and what helps others.” Next on Mousley’s list of achievements is his time serving as a College of Science senator for the 2021-2022 school year. Sophia May worked as his USUSA adviser during that time. “I would describe Jonathan as bright, hardworking, kind and resilient,” May said. “I have been so impressed with his work as science senator this year. From an amazing Science Week, to spearheading the Rapid Fire Research event, to advocating for better wages for students in the college, his desire to serve his constituents and help his fellow students shines through in all he does.” James Mullen, who has known Mousley for four years now, agreed with May. “I think he’s one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met,” Mullen said. “One thing that really stands out is he’s always willing to help other people out, and that’s really fascinating.” Mousley said his time as a senator has helped him gain a different perspective of leadership and an appreciation for how the
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university is run. “I’ve learned a lot about interacting with different people, different colleges and majors and interests,” Mousley said. “And I’m left with the impression that Utah State is a really wonderful place for a lot of reasons. Sometimes it can feel like there’s no one looking out for you but there hasn’t been a moment where I felt the administration didn’t genuinely care about their students.” Graduation is only the first step for Mousley. He plans to go to graduate school and pursue a career in applied mathematics research. Although he is still looking at different programs, it’s not the first time he has left the decision until the last minute. “For better or for worse, I think I made my decision on literally the last day possible. Somehow, I have a tendency to be very uncertain about my future until the last moment,” Mousley said. “My main
question when I was considering Utah State was, ‘Will I be happy there?’ And USU has been a great opportunity and a good place to be. Now that I’m looking at graduate schools, I’m just asking the same question.”
Maggie Erekson is a first-year student and writer for the Statesman. Other than school and writing, Maggie also finds time to enjoy her favority TV shows, be outdoors and eat lots of ice cream. — Maggie.Erekson@usu.edu
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Jonathan Mousley: the math whiz
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River Johnson: the ultimate researcher By Maya Mackinnon NEWS STAFF WRITER
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iver Johnson, a Utah State University graduate from the Department of Environment and Society, has left not only the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, but USU a better, safer and more inclusive place. From Northern Virginia, Johnson attended Hollins University for two years, but after visiting a friend in Idaho and traveling around Utah, they applied to USU. “I watched the prettiest sunset of my life driving from Zion to Idaho and I knew I wanted to live here,” Johnson said. Beginning in the accounting program in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Johnson eventually found their passion for geography after a guest presentation during a class. Claudia Radel, a professor and the department head over the geography programs, said Johnson maximized its engagement, not only benefiting themself as a student but USU and the department as well. “They really make the most of every chance to learn and explore the world,” Radel said. “That constant openness to new learning is something for all of us — at any stage in our lives — to find inspiration.” Since being in natural resources, Johnson has taken on leadership roles, such as being on the committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They were also highly involved with the Center for Intersectional Gender Studies and Research, receiving a certificate for inclusive leadership and serving as the first undergraduate on the panel for Pride in the Field — part of its Intersections on Inclusion series. “I have more of an intersectional perspective or approach to the natural resource college,” Johnson said. “In a sense that I feel like I have sought out a lot of opportunities, both within my college and outside and I don’t really keep those separate.” Johnson also worked as a student researcher with graduate students in California. During this time, Johnson experienced levels of microaggressions which made them feel unsafe and uncomfortable. In response to the lack of respect and inclusion Johnson experienced in the field, they began researching what resources were available for queer student researchers. Discovering there was a need for these resources, Johnson has created their own handbook for inclusive practices in field work. “I am working on this to identify best practices to conduct inclusive research but also for advisers and graduate students leading projects,” Johnson said. “To set up a foundation of inclusion and to be better prepared for anything they might encounter in the field — how to make sure queer student researchers are safe.” Christy Glass, the interim director of the intersectional gender studies center, has worked with Johnson to create the handbook. “What I have enjoyed the most is the tremendous insight River has to have experienced something terrible and then to translate that terrible experience into something that’s going to help and support others down the
PHOTO BY Kate Smith
road,” Glass said. “River wanted to make sure no other USU student had to experience what they experienced as a researcher.” Thinking about leaving USU, they said they will miss their connections and community the most. “College is such a beautiful place to explore and just try stuff without fear of failure,” Johnson said. “That is honestly one of my favorite things about USU. I may not have a lot of experience in certain backgrounds, but someone is always willing to help me learn and try to do anything I want.” Johnson advised new students not to fight the inevitable change college brings. Friends, values, interests, ideas, passions and mindset will all change. They said to embrace it and extend hands of friendship everywhere you go and maintain relationships when networking. Johnson has made meditation and setting time aside
for themself a critical part of their routine. Their biggest piece of advice for success and well-being is to go outside. “River will leave USU a better, more inclusive place,” Glass said. “If they can bring their whole self to whatever they do next, they will change the world. And that gives me hope.” Maya Mackinnon is a third-year journalism student at USU. Outside of writing for the Statesman, she loves to go outside, travel and make art. — Maya.Mackinnon@usu.eduu
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Marcos Suarez: first-generation graduate By Jared Adams NEWS STAFF WRITER
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arcos Suarez, a student attending Utah State University Eastern, is expected to graduate from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the spring commencement. Suarez is finishing his fourth year and SUBMITTED PHOTO will earn a bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in mental health advocacy and awareness. While he was born in California, Suarez spent several years living in Mexico before moving to Utah with his family when he was nine years old. He’s lived in the state ever since and decided to go to Price for college. Suarez said he’s loved his time attending the Eastern campus. “It’s been amazing,” Suarez said. “I have nothing but great things to say about it.” One of the things that Suarez highlighted about Price is the community.
“I love how inclusive it is,” Suarez said. “You really become a family. Because our campus is so much smaller than the main campus, you become familiar with everyone. Additionally, Suarez spoke highly of the faculty at Eastern, specifically in the social work department. “They’re very student-oriented,” Suarez said. “Specifically in the social work department. They do a great job.” Outside of academics, Suarez has been involved with soccer, volunteer work and student leadership. He served as president of the Latino Student Association and on the Eastern Utah Student Association. Suarez said the experiences he’s had with on-campus involvement has been beneficial and allowed him to grow. “They’ve allowed me to expand my knowledge and become more open-minded,” Suarez said. “I’ve also been able to work with a variety of people that I hadn’t previously had experience with.” Suarez also describes himself as an adventurous person. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, Spikeball and being outdoors. According to Suarez, his biggest accomplishment while attending Eastern will be completing his undergraduate degree, as Suarez is a first-generation college student. Suarez said it’s hard at times, but shared encouragement for others who might also share that experience. “It’s hard. When you encounter those roadblocks in
your life, just know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. Suarez also cited involvement in school and the opportunity to network as being motivating factors that helped him get through his education. “If you’re involved and you network, I think that’s the biggest thing,” Suarez said. “First, anything is possible. Second, network.” Michelle Mooney, Suarez’ student government adviser, further highlighted his accomplishment during his time at Eastern. “Marcos is a dedicated and passionate person who gives his all to everything he does,” Mooney wrote about Suarez. “There is no doubt that he will represent the university as a proud alumni.” Mooney also wrote that Suarez will continue to impact the lives of others, both on and off campus. After finishing his degree in social work, Suarez intends on obtaining a master’s in social work. He has been accepted into both the programs at USU and The Ohio State University. Lastly, Suarez shared his parting thoughts on what it means to be both a USU Eastern Golden Eagle and an Aggie. “I’m an Eagle, but I’m an Aggie as well,” Suarez said. “I can see both sides — both communities that we have. I think the best thing is to unite them as one.” — Jared.Adams@usu.edu
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By Carlysle Price LIFESTYLES STAFF WRITER
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ven down a secluded hallway in the Engineering Building, aerospace student Parker Carter still found peers and friends from class to wave at and say “hi” to. Carter graduated in December with his undergraduate in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in aerospace engineering and plans to continue his studies in his master’s program. Carter credits his success to an upperclassman who approached him his first week at Utah State. “This first week, coming back was really difficult for me. I was sitting in the study area, and I remember a student came up to me,” Carter said. The student offered words of advice, a reminder to breathe and a list of places to find help. “I can’t remember his name,” Carter said, “but that helped me out a ton and I’ve remembered that. I’ve tried to do that for other students here.” Carter didn’t deny the hardships that come with choosing such a difficult area of study and said it’s not for everyone, but those who really want to work for it
will love it. “Engineering is difficult, but the scientific understanding, the life opportunities and the satisfaction that comes from finally solving a tough problem more than makes up for it. I wouldn’t trade my experience here at USU for anything.” Carter said. Carter is the standing president of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers. He is also the president of Tau Beta Pi — a place for students with high scholastic achievement, high GPA and a good-standing within the college. He also won the Brandon Paulsen award, which is given to graduating seniors who help fellow students as well as demonstrating academic excellence. Zac Humes, an engineering professor, credits Carter with the growth of their group. “He’s really interested in other students, he’s interested in outreach. We engineers are a bit of an odd group,” Humes said. He credits Carter with getting noses out of calculators and welcoming students into a group and helping them feel a part of something. Carter agrees that engineers often get a bad rap for being too introverted. “It’s unfortunate because there are a lot of really good people in college and a lot of the opportunities I have had are from networking and getting to know other people in college,” Carter said. He has reached out to gain presidencies and teaching assistant positions and is on his third internship with the Northrop Grumman Corporation as an aerospace contractor. Carter’s experience in college was made better by creating bonds with fellow peers and keeping a consistent study group. “He’s a good depiction of what we strive for in shaping mechanical engineering students,” Humes said. “Just an all-around very good person.” Humes describes Carter as bright, humble, hard-working and approachable.
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Parker Carter credits socializing for success in aerospace engineering
Emily White is graduating with a degree in English and journalism. Her radio show was called The Sentiment, featuring songs that were sentimental to her. This playlist is in honor of her time at USU. Kids Ben Rector
Somewhere Only We Know Keane
Back Home Andy Grammer
Never Grow Up Taylor Swift
Carlysle Price is proud of her extensive magazine collection which has surpassed 50 editions, all of which have been read thoroughly. She would never skip to the cover story. — A02311769@usu.edu PHOTO BY Bailey Rigby
7 Years Lukas Graham
Page 8 - The Utah Statesman, May 2, 202
Under Armour’s finest
Outdoor product design major will graduate, go full time at UA
By Jacob Nielson SPORTS CONTENT MANAGER
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enior College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences student Cory Griffey didn’t take the simplest route to get his degree. But it’s a route that’s going to pay off for him in a huge way. It took a while for the 29-year-old to decide what he wanted to do, but after three different schools, over two years of working a job you probably didn’t know existed and completing one of the newest degrees Utah State has to offer, Griffey will graduate with his bachelor’s degree. Waiting for him on the other side? A full-time gig doing product design at Under Armour at the company’s headquarters in Baltimore. A few years ago, while working a travel gig, Griffey read an article in an outdoor magazine about a new program, Outdoor Product Design and Development, or OPDD. One of the first of its kind, Utah State’s new program was all about learning how to design outdoor products.
“It’s like designing outdoor products,” Griffey said. “Tents, backpacks, jackets, all that kind of stuff you use for like hiking or camping.” Griffey was sold and decided to move to Logan to pursue the program. There is no question Griffey has thrived in it. In a hands-on program taught by experienced professors, OPDD majors are provided the resources and knowledge to create their own products. Griffey said the collaborative aspects of the program, along with the Adobe design skills he’s learned, have been beneficial for him. According to those in the department, he has become an expert in 3D design. “3D is a growing skill set in the industry and is something that quickly set Griffey apart,” said Chase Anderson, the OPDD program coordinator. “He’s gone above and beyond to push himself while in our program to develop the skills needed to create the future of sports/performance clothing.” Last year, Griffey applied for an internship at Under Armour. His PHOTO BY Phil Weber 3D skills were one of the things that set him apart in the hiring process and helped him get the position. After starting an internship last May, it turned into a part-time position during the school year. “They had me on contract since then,” Griffey said. “And then offered me the job in like January.” He was hired as a full-time associate designer on the outdoors team at Under Armour. The day after graduation, Griffey and his wife, Aimee, will load up their U-Haul and drive out to Maryland. Being on the road is something Griffey is well familiar with. Hailing from Cleveland, Tennessee, Griffey graduated from high school in 2011 and came to Utah for school. He had stints at both BYU and UVU and got married. Still not knowing what he wanted to study, Griffey and Aimee got a unique job opportunity working for the United States Veterans Association. They left UVU and began a life on the road. “We traveled full time, living out of hotels and rental cars and stuff. We didn’t have an apartment or anything,” Griffey said. “We were photographing and mapping
national cemeteries for the Veterans Association.” They would do inventory at the veteran cemeteries, assuring the maps showing where people were buried were accurate. They also took photos and captured GPS locations on headstones. The Veterans Association wanted it to make the headstones easy for people to find on their phones. “Instead of just giving like a section name and number, they could give them the GPS point and you can put in your phone and walk straight to it,” Griffey said. It was a cool experience. But Griffey knew it wasn’t something they wanted to do forever. They wanted to finish their degrees. So, after two and a half years on the road, they moved to Logan. “It’s been kind of crazy — just a transition from fulltime travel to getting an apartment,” Griffey said. Griffey worked at Conservice part-time before he got the Under Armour gig. Aimee, who is already graduated, has worked there full-time. This last year has been particularly busy, as Griffey has been working on major clothing projects for Under Armour while wrapping up his degree. Working for the hunting team, he designs mostly technical and fishing gear. Right now, Griffey is working on several projects, including a camouflage sports coat. “We have to design it and make sure it gets colored,” Griffey said. “Send it to the factory so that they can have all the information and so then it gets made.” You may be able to purchase something Griffey designed at Scheels or Dick’s Sporting Goods, but you’ll have to be patient. Under Armour plans all their designs two years in advance — the coat is for the fall 2023 to winter 2024 season. “We have a color design team at Under Armour that helps us know what will be in fashion,” Griffey said. Griffey is just another example of an OPDD student who will get immediate workspace experience. He’ll work alongside another graduate of the OPDD program at Utah State. The academic journey has no doubt been long for Griffey. But every bit is worth it. “Sometimes I feel like, ‘Man, why am I still in school,’” Griffey said. “But having something directly coming out of it helps.” “He’s either writing about sports, watching sports or sleeping.” — Jacob’s 10-year-old brother. Jacob’s a third-year journalism student and a tormented Texas Rangers fan. @jacobnielson12
By Jillian Nelson LIFESTYLES STAFF WRITER
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onnor Morrison’s passion is elementary education, and Utah State University has an exceptional elementary ed program. “I didn’t want to do something just for myself,” said Morrison, standing in the first grade classroom where he student teaches. Morrison is from Tooele, a city about 30 minutes from Salt Lake City. He originally thought about majoring in vocal performance and dentistry because of the good pay. But in his senior year of high school, he decided to pursue a different path. “I went through a transitional or transformational period in my senior year of high school and decided, ‘Okay, I’m going to be an elementary school teacher,’” Morrison said. “So it’ll be all about the kids. And I can use my vocal performance background and integrate the arts into the curriculum because I love the arts and I love kids.” From his second semester at USU up until this spring, Morrison was involved in USU’s community as an undergraduate teaching fellow in a Foundations of Education class for Dr. Emma Mecham. “In the Foundations of Education class, we talk about everything from how schools are funded to Plato and his philosophy on education. One thing that made that class fulfilling to be a part of is for a few days of the class, we just focused on disparities in education,” Morrison said. Being a UTF granted Morrison many more opportunities for success at USU. “Dr. Mecham had me involved in ongoing research projects and had me lecture about gender and sexuality in education to pre-service teachers at the conference that she puts together every year,” Morrison said. “Being a UTF here at USU has been the gift that just keeps on giving because it is such gratifying work.” USU’s elementary education program is nationally ranked, which is why Morrison chose to attend USU. “The nature of the program at USU is they put you into classrooms right away. If you’re an elementary ed major, they put you into classrooms to first observe, then maybe the next semester you get more responsibilities and commitments as the program progresses,” Morrison said. “I would just get placed into different schools throughout Cache Valley. There are so many opportunities right here in the valley so you don’t have to travel or anything.”
PHOTO BY Katie Henderson
For his last day as a student teacher at Edith Bowen Laboratory School, he coordinated the first-grade production of “My Father’s Dragon,” a play written purely by the performing first graders and based on the book by the same name. The students didn’t even know how to read or write at the beginning of the year and by the end, they had all written and performed a play. “This unit became my pet project. And from the beginning, I was like ‘This is not going to just be the read-aloud part of the day.’ Everything is going to be integrated within it,” Morrison said. “We made a 3D map of the story as we read the book and rehearsed the play. They learned how to read maps for the first time and learn north, east, south and west. We integrated phonics instruction from the book because the little mouse character always mixes up the sounds. I spearheaded this novel study — every content curriculum strand was integrated within it and the ultimate light at the end of the tunnel was this production of ‘My Father’s Dragon.’” Morrison is leaving behind a legacy of curriculum integration as he moves on to his new second grade teaching job at DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts, a public charter school in Ogden. — A02368712@usu.edu
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Connor Morrison: student teacher extraordinaire
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By Natalie Rust LIFESTYLES STAFF WRITER
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n the Special Archives room in the basement of the Merrill-Cazier Library, Olivia Brock wanders around, her gold hair and pink denim jacket standing out against deep brown bookcases. Shiny display cases surround her as she walks. Brock, a graduating senior double majoring in art history and statistics, points at one of the glass cases, a glint in her eye, and begins to explain the connection between art and science. The yellowed page inside the case is marked with intricate drawings depicting historic scientific devices. The artifact is just one of dozens housed in the Special Archives room — a part of an exhibit curated by Brock for her honors capstone. Brock began research during her first year at Utah State University. Since then, she has worked in a variety of capacities in several communities at USU, seeking to expand her knowledge and understanding of the world. “I’m motivated, I think, by a quest for knowledge,” she said. During her time at USU, Brock has worked as an undergraduate research fellow, undergraduate teaching fellow and undergraduate writing fellow. She is also a member of the honors program. In addition, she was awarded Undergraduate Researcher of the Year at this year’s Robins Awards, along with being Valedictorian and a Caine Scholar. Brock’s interest in research began her first year when she wrote a paper on astrolabes for a class. Astrolabes are medieval computational instruments that were used by Islamic empires hundreds of years ago. She wanted to investigate why these scientific devices were made beautifully, usually with precious metals. “I felt like that was really important to the objects’ kind of history and being,” Brock said. After finishing the class, Brock received an email from the professor, offering her a mentee position. That summer, she had the opportunity to go to New York City and study astrolabes in person at museums such as the MET. Ever since, she has immersed herself in educationally enriching experiences. Last summer, she worked as an intern at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. “What a lot of people don’t know about the Air and Space Museum is that it has a really amazing collection of artwork,” Brock said. At the museum, Brock worked with modern art pieces representative of the history of space exploration. She sought to investigate the way scientific concepts have been visualized as artists encountered new ideas such as landing on the moon.
PHOTO BY Paige Johnson
Throughout her college career, Brock had to figure out a lot of things for herself. As a first-generation college student, she didn’t have the connections or the understanding of the collegiate experience granted to those with family who have attended a university. “For me, it was a lot of self-learning and just kind of figuring out things as they came up,” Brock said, “and not trying to feel like I had to know everything.” Brock has always been interested in the arts. She loves musicals and finds solace in the power of art. “I think it’s a great expression of personality and humanity,” Brock said. Everything changed when she chose to take an art history class in high school. It fueled her interest in art, inspiring her to learn more and take classes on the subject in college. “I was caught contemplating lately how small decisions can impact things so significantly,” Brock said. Brock also remarked on the significance of her decision to come to USU. She said the people she has met and the relationships she’s developed as a result have helped shape her as a person and an academic. One of the most important relationships she developed has been with Alexa Sand, an art history professor at USU and Brock’s mentor. Brock encourages all students to find a mentor. “She’s always been so great at helping me keep perspective,” Brock said, “but also encouraging me to pursue new things, and try new experiences.” Brock’s admiration for Sand is reciprocated. “She is
incredibly self-motivated,” said Sand. “She’s probably one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. But she works hard because her curiosity drives her.” At this point, Sand views Brock more as a colleague than a mentee. “I sort of saw her grow from somebody who had an interest in the intersection between science and art into somebody who could really curate her own exhibits and operate as an independent researcher,” Sand said. Brock isn’t sure exactly what lies in her future — she doesn’t know if she’ll focus on statistics or art, if she wants to work a desk job or in a more interactive career. Regardless, she does know she wants to continue to use the knowledge she acquires to speak on the power of art. “Being able to engage people in the arts, I think, is my dream,” Brock said. As Brock looks through the glass casing surrounding the ancient scientific artifacts, her lips turn into a soft smile. Her voice resonates in the small room as she speaks about the passion behind her drive. “I think it’s maybe once in a lifetime that you get a student like this,” Sand said, “and they deserve to be celebrated.” Natalie Rust is a first-year interested in studying international studies at Utah State University. In her free time, she loves to read, thrift and explore the great outdoors. — natalie.rust@usu.edu
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Olivia Brock: a graduate on a ‘quest for knowledge’
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Ella Bradley: baller and valedictorian By Rebecca Olds STATEWIDE NEWS STAFF WRITER
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his year’s graduation commencement at Utah State University Eastern honors the class of 2022 and valedictorian Ella Bradley, who will address her graduating class. Bradley was born in England and lived there until she was five years old. She then moved to New Zealand where she has called home for the last 15 years. Graduating with her associate degree in general education with a 4.0 GPA, Bradley is planning to continue her education in biochemistry and go on to be a radiologist, anesthesiologist or pharmacist. She has applied to schools in the U.S., including Salt Lake City, New York, Colorado and Texas. One of her recent accomplishments was her score on her American Chemical Society exam, which put her in the 98th percentile. Her love of chemistry, Bradley said, began in secondary school at St. Peter’s School in Cambridge, England where she would help her chemistry teacher during her study period. The school used a system known as Montessori education; a method that seeks to develop kid’s natural interests rather than a certain path planned for all students. “Her early schooling was in a Montessori environment which really suited Ella with their self-directed style of learning,” said Bradley’s mom, Tania Smythe. It was also at that school where she started playing basketball. Her best friend was on the team, and her best friend’s mom, Leann Walker, was the coach. Walker was once on the New Zealand women’s basketball team and competed in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics. Bradley said she learned a lot from Walker. While playing on the team at St. Peter’s, Bradley and her teammates won fifth place at the International School Sport Federation World Schools Championship in Greece. She said Greece was her favorite place she had ever visited. Bradley went on to compete with a New Zealand youth competition team and has visited more than 10 countries playing basketball. Even with all this travel, Ella was performing well in her academics. “During high school Ella had a busy schedule competing in multiple sports at national level which meant a lot of time away from classes, but Ella managed her time and kept her academic grades up,” Smythe said. After graduating high school, she moved to Price to start her college career at USU Eastern. She had several options of different schools here in the U.S., but Bradley said what ultimately led her to the USU Eastern Golden Eagles were the coaches and the fact some of her teammates would be from New Zealand too.
In the 2020 school year, Morgan Warburton-Nelson, who had been at Price for six years, was a mentor for Bradley as she was the fourth Utah basketball player in history to be drafted to the Women’s National Basketball Association. Nelson also broke several records at University of Utah. Basketball required many weekend trips, which Warburton-Nelson said was about every other week. She said these trips could last from a Wednesday morn-
ing back to Price the following year. “It was a really hard first year,” Bradley said. “It didn’t end up like how I wanted it to and I thought, ‘Do I really want to come back?’” This whole experience taught Bradley to be resilient, which she said is probably her best attribute to date. She decided to come back though after going home to New Zealand for the summer. “Sports has taught me to always come back,” Bradley said. Warburton-Nelson said Bradley worked hard that summer and came back her sophomore year better than ever, greatly extending her game and improving in her around the rim work and shooting abilities. “She was the most improved as far as our returners,” Nelson said. “She worked tirelessly on her skill development at home, and it proved beneficial because she was one of our top players and has had a lot of return because of that.” After returning to campus after the summer, Nelson said Bradley put in an extra 30-40 minutes of practice time a week to further improve. “She has also learnt to enjoy the journey as well as the results,” Smythe said. Bradley’s hard work is shown in the Golden Eagles’ basketball game against the College of Southern Idaho. Nelson explained it was a particularly hard game for Bradley because of an injury she was playing with. The stands were packed, and the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation. The Eagles were the underdogs, but against all odds they took the win 62-58. “There’s always a special feeling when the underdog team wins,” Bradley said. Bradley scored 26 of the team’s 63 points, with the rest of her stats showing a total of 10 rebounds and two blocks. Bradley hopes to keep playing basketball after graduating. Her biggest goal is to play for New Zealand’s home basketball team, the Tall Ferns. “It’s a huge accomplishment to be able to wear your home team’s jersey,” Bradley said. “That would be the ultimate goal for me.” PHOTO COURTESY OF USU Eastern Athletics When she’s off the court and finds herself with free time in the off-season, Bradley enjoys ing to a Sunday afternoon, leaving the team with little reading romance novels, horseback riding and skiing. time on campus. “Ella has given us lots of great memories with sportBut Bradley was able to balance both academics and ing successes but achieving valedictorian is such an being a student athlete. honor for her and we are very proud,” Smythe said. During Bradley’s first year on campus during the 2020 school year, the coronavirus halted all activities. These Rebecca Olds is a senior studying activities included preseason basketball games where journalism and anthropology. Rebecca players get a chance to improve and get ready for the likes trying new foods, photography season. and works as a brand journalist for That season the team only played for a few months, Neonatal Rescue. about 10 games, until they couldn’t play anymore due to restrictions. Bradley and her roommates went — A02338648@usu.edu through three or four two-week lockdowns. It was hard enough for Bradley that she considered maybe not com-
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Connor Waterman finishes grad program in half the time By Darcy Ritchie MANAGING EDITOR
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onnor Waterman, a graduate student in the data analytics program, is working 90 hours per week and sleeps fewer than five hours per night. Needless to say, he’s ready to graduate this semester. There’s a few reasons for Waterman’s packed schedule: he’s working two jobs, and he’s finishing his two-year master’s program in half the time. Waterman finished his undergraduate degrees in economics and finance at Utah State University in 2021. He especially enjoyed studying econometrics, which combines coding and statistics with economics. He didn’t have a job lined up and knew he was good at school, so he decided to take a look at graduate programs. After speaking to Tyler Brough, an associate professor in the Data Analytics and Information Systems department, he decided to join data analytics. “That ended up satisfying a lot of the coding role that I enjoyed and also got some of that economic thinking with the econometrics,” Waterman said. “I’ve been doing that since. It’s been quite a blast.” While at USU, Waterman has worked as a teaching assistant and as an analytic teaching fellow for an introductory statistics course. He is also involved with the Center for Analytics Solutions, where students work with companies on analytic projects. Here, Waterman was paired to work with Monumetric, an advertising technology company based in Farmington. “They ended up liking what I did so much that they hired most of the team,” Waterman said. “So, I’ve also been working that job as well.” After graduating, Waterman will continue to work at Monumetric, but he eventually wants to move on and work somewhere outside of Utah because he’s lived here his whole life. “I’m kind of using it as a stepping stone,” Waterman said. “It’s giving a lot of good experience that, especially for someone as young as I am, would kind of set me apart.” In his limited free time, Waterman enjoys being outside, mountain biking
and hammocking. “I find that when you’re doing this particular job, you’re stuck in front of a computer all the time,” Waterman said. “Getting out into nature is something I really do enjoy trying to do when I can.” Mariyum Noor, a friend of Waterman’s and a fellow student in the program, said he is the best at balancing school, work and normal life.
“He’s great at literally everything with public speaking, or managing school, or programming, or even swimming, or biking, or cooking or baking,” Noor said. “He’s the best at everything. I do not see a fault in him, and he’s so successful.” Waterman said his time at USU has taught him how to tolerate deadlines, how to work with others and how to fail. “Everyone experiences a bad group — some sort of huge disaster of a project or a test or something, and I think those are a fundamental part of the college experience,” Waterman said. “You need to fail a test, right? Because if you never fail a test, then when you actually get to something that actually matters — because tests don’t — and you fail, you’re not going to handle it very well. So failing some of the things now is important so that you can carry that skill and fail later.” Waterman advised his fellow Aggies to spend the first few years of college enjoying the scenery, the people and the events at USU while classes are easier. He also recommends students explore their interests and broaden their horizons. “Don’t be afraid of changing your major,” he said. “Interests are fleeting, and if you’re going to be stuck working — as most people are — for the rest of your life, it should be something that you at least enjoy a little bit.”
Darcy Ritchie is a third-year ginger student studying journalism. Hailing from the aptly overlooked state of Idaho, Ritchie has hit the big time by getting to Utah and finding employment. When she’s not bossing people around at the Statesman, she’s plotting how she can steal an Aggie Shuttle bus. — darcy.ritchie@usu.edu PHOTO BY Katera Barlow
Page 15 - The Utah Statesman, May 2, 2022 CARTOON BY Keith Wilson
Last week’s solution:
Sudoku puzzles are provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com.
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