COMMENCEMENT
Celebrating125 Yearsof Learning,Discoveryand Engagement FOUNDED1888
Utah State University Eastern I 75th Commencement
Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center I April 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Academic Procession Graduates and Stage Party
Presentation of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance Boy Scout Troop 282
Chancellor's Greeting Chancellor Joe Peterson Student Addresses Jordan Sanders, Valedictorian SungJae Park, Salutatorian Matt Gochis, President, Student Association
Introduction of Commencement Speaker
Chancellor Joe Peterson
Commencement Address Nicole Young
Presentation of Chancellor's Medallion Lynn Stevens, Recipient
Introduction ofHalamandaris Recipient and Faculty Escorts
Associate Vice Chancellor Melanie Nelson
Presentation of Graduates and Conferring of Degrees
Associate Vice Chancellor Melanie Nelson and Chancellor Joe Peterson
Welcome to Alumni Association Edward Geary and Scott Olson
Academic Recession Stage Party and Graduates
Reception following Commencement in the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center
Commencement Speaker
Nicole Young, VP Business Development of Mandalay Entertainment Group, enhances brand equity for the company and executes strategies for new business and product development in traditional and digital media. She was responsible for the strategy, development, launch and monetization of Tell to Win, which became a# 1 New York Times bestseller. Managing multiple business ventures, her expertise is in product development and creating and implementing branding and marketing strategies. She joined Mandalay in 2007 where she developed new business in traditional and digital media.
Previous to Mandalay, she worked at Morris Yom Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman, a pre-eminent entertainment law firm. AS an executive with the firm, she explored and evaluated opportunities for organizational growth, developed and implemented marketing and communications strategies and analyzed business and marketing trends.
Prior to joining the law firm, she worked on the film, Malibu's Most Wanted, starring Jamie Kennedy and Taye Diggs. Her work with the producers and studio executives transitioned into a position on the Jamie Kennedy Experiment for Big Ticket Television. She worked as a key production liaison between department heads and network executives for the weekly hidden camera sketch comedy TV show which aired on the WB.
Nicole began her career at WhiteLight Entertainment, working with Academy Award winning producer, Gerald Molen.
Nicole received her Associate of Science degree from the College of Eastern Utah where she was active in student government and the dance department. She received her Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, in English with an emphasis in Writing/Professional Communication from Utah State University. She received her J.D. from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School where she was a member of Moot Court and the American Inns of Court. She was elected to the board of the Student Bar Association and appointed to the Moot Court Board of Advocates as Director of lnterschool Competitions. Nicole was the recipient of the Best Brief Honorable Mention, Contracts Small Section, in the Rex E. Lee Moot Court competition and participated in the University of San Diego School of Law's Institute on International and Comparative Law in Florence, Italy.
Nicole recently served as Vice Chair of the Los Angeles chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. She is a member of the Utah Bar Association and the State Bar of Utah.
Chancellor's Medallion RecipientLynn Stevens was born in Blanding, Utah, at home in a small two-room house. He grew up in Blanding and graduated from San Juan High School. He graduated from Utah State University and immediately started active duty in the U.S. Army, with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He remained on active duty for thirty-three years and retired with the rank of Major General. The Army sponsored his graduate studies at the University of Utah, where he obtained a Master of Business Administration.
During his Army career, General Stevens commanded troop units at every level from platoon to a unit at the rank of Major General. He served a total often years in Germany, ten years in the Pentagon, and many assignments in missile development, tactile nuclear weapons, and logistical support duties.
After Army retirement, he was employed by Northrop Grumman Corporation for nearly 10 years as Vice President for Precision Weapons Development. He then returned to Blanding and served for eight years as a San Juan County Commissioner. He also served on Governor Huntsman's Senior Staff as the Director of Public Land Policy Coordinator. He served on the Board of Trustees of the College of Eastern Utah and assisted in the transition ofCEU to its present status as USU Eastern. He now serves on the schools Regional Advisory Board.
Valedictorian
Jordan Sanders the son of Ronald and Patricia Sanders, was born and raised in Castle Dale, Utah. He graduated from Emery High School in 2008 as an honor student and served an LDS mission in San Fernando, California. Being involved has always been a part of his life, whether scholastically, ecclesiastically, or civilly. The SUN involvement center has been a large part of Jordan's experience while attending USU Eastern and he has enjoyed his community service that naturally comes from being a leader in this group on campus. He has always been passionate about music and also helping others and has found a marriage of these two passions with the benefit concerts he has organized and performed over the past two years at Eastern. Jordan will continue his education and hopes to become a music professor in the emphasis of voice. He has been influenced by many of his professors and wishes to pass on the passion for education and music that he has acquired as a part of his future career. Troy Hunt, associate professor of communication, has been both a mentor and friend to Jordan helping him in and out of the classroom during his time at USU Eastern and has been selected by Jordan to serve as his faculty escort at Commencement.
Salutatorian
SungJae Park has been born of loving parents, JongJin Park and KyungHee Kwon, and has one older sister, Jeeyeah Park. SungJae was born and raised in the city of Daegu in South Korea. When SungJae turned 19, he served an LDS mission in Sacramento, California. While on his mission, SungJae witnessed a terrible accident. He saved a person's life by performing CPR which he learned in high school. He came to know the joy of saving lives of others and losing himself in the service of others. This was when SungJae decided to become a nurse. After his LDS mission, he came to Price, Utah to attend USU Eastern. He was accepted to the nursing program in 2011. Since then, he has been studying nursing with the wonderful classmates and
very passionate faculty members. In 2012 he was Vice President of the USU Eastern nursing program and in 20 I 3 served as ADN representative. Dr. Donna Cartwright, associate professor in the nursing program, has been a special influence and mentor during SungJae's time at USU Eastern and has been selected by SungJae to serve as his faculty escort at Commencement.
Val J. Halamandaris Caring Award Recipient
Emma Rowley grew up in Duchesne County area before coming to USU Eastern. Her attitude towards service was noticeable at a young age. With Emma's humble service attitude, the only way we could get her to share with us some of her numerous acts of service was suggesting that, by sharing, she my actually inspire others to serve.
Some, but not all of her volunteer service, include Track & Field Days and fishing trips for special needs children; tutoring struggling readers; directing of a community theatre production; cleaning the home of a family with a daughter who has a rare brain disease; participating in Bread N' Soup Nights, Spring Breakaway and Emery County's Mammoth Marathon. She has performed at several benefit concerts and served meals at Parkdale and Castleview Hospital, plus participated in The Potato Patch Project, Castle Heights' Halloween, Valentine, Dr. Seuss Reading Day Carnivals and Art Night, re-vegetation of the wetlands along the Colorado River near Moab and SUN Involvement Center presidency member.
These are a few of her service accomplishments, but if you ask her, she might simply say, "I have been honored to be able to witness the lives of others being blessed through service."
Candidates for Graduation
Master of Science in Agricultural Systems Technology Education
Stacy Lynn Abbott
Bachelor of Science in Business Jennifer Ann Falsone
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Alisha M. Hansen
Angela Gill Magna Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in MIS
Ted Cartwright Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Vicky C. Martineau Magna Cum Laude
Desiree Sicilia Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Merenda Saccomano
Associate of Arts
Mikaela Jade Anderson•
Wendee W. Hatch
Alissa Dawn Peters• Seth Alan Burgess Dustin P. Jensen•• Dunja Primas•• Tyrell Clement Danielle J. Monroe Christine Elise Redford* Eric Ernest Curwen Timothy M. Neilson Jason Lee Timpf Lindly lnes Emily Kaelar Olsen Geronica Gerland Garcia Caitlin May
Associate of Science
Kailey Anna Allen•
Jake M. Gordon
Ebeny Dawn Powell Tanda D. Apadaca Hollie Grange Jediah Powers Amy Kathryn Arbon• Shantelle Leprille Hansen Kendall Blain Prescott Sharamie D. Atwood Nathaniel M. Hardman• Martin Amador Ramirez Joseph Robert Barta• Mallorie James Harvel Valerie Rice• Hayden David Basinger•• Tanya Michelle Higbee Jacob Von Ritchie James Levi Bates Deana Hunsaker Ernrna Tyler James Bean Trena Jensen Trevor R. Rowley Adjalma V. Becheli** Cort Kiley Jensen•• Jordan E. Karen Amanda Bell Kelsey L. Jensen Kristan R. Sanford Alexis Jill Blackham Kyla Dawn Jones Melissa Rae Scheid Kelly D. Bosone Shadayah Jane Jones•• Lisa Sherman Chantelle Bradley Abbie R. Keller Ashton A. Sicilia Kris H. BulkJey Steven Loyd Kerr Levi Matthew Simmons• Sara Maquelle Callor•• DyJana Elisabeth Laughbon•• Brandi Sue Sitterud Derek Joseph Callor Dallin Ross Lemon Richard Dee Stevenson Jesse A. Candelaria Kylee Dawn Lessar•• Lacey Danielle Strong Aubrey Cashion Dakoda Dean Lindsay Godwin Tandoh Nakhoon Choi* Valery Magnuson• Dexter Storm Thayn Casey Lewis Cloward** Chelsea Lee Malnar• Bailey Dee Thomas•• Jesse R. Curtis Dezeray Mangum Kayla Dawn Thompson Spencer Joseph Denison Misty D. McClure Nickolas C. Torres Shawn Vernon Deveraux Mark Mclntyre Samuel T. Trout• Mark A. DickeyT Taylor Miller Brooke Leann Vanwagoner Kristalyn Karli Ann Morris Geoffrey Vogel** Tracy Nicole Engleman Ace Mounteer• Austin Clay Anthony Welch Rachel Falk Lauren MyKel Nel** Eric Lee Willson Whitney Anna Fieldsted* Melanie Dawn Nielsen Tayson J. Wilson• Collin C. Fleck Nicole Norton• Kelly Lyn Sarah Fletcher•• Alexis Oliver•• Alaina Woolsey Mindy Michelle Fluck:iger•• Monica Parkinson Jordan Allen Wright* Amanda John Darrell Pell You Xu* Christopher FrankJin Mikka Michele Pendergrass Kristina Ryan Yamaguchi* Jason Glen Jeffery C. Perkins Ari Yoo•• Dale Gagon Hayden Jones Peterson Kalleen Young CJ Dale Gardiner Thai D. Phi Tiana Dawn Young D'Lee Gardner Anna Louise Pilling•• Trinity M. Gibbs Barbara Powell
Associate of Science in Business
Austin J.C.G. Preston
Allison Williams•
Charley Nicole Auberger Mariana Gornati Brooke Ann Mcfarlane
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
Jordan Miles Nelson* Michael Ray Perry
Jacquelyn Anna Randall Gina Ann Rasmussen
Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology
Michael Erich Bontoft Jesus R. Osuna Richard D. Stevenson
Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
Rachel Sharp
Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology
Alexis Breanne Allard Elizabeth Jane Springer'i' Karin Dawn Ward*
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Develt,pment
JumiK.im
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (RN)
Jessica Marie Anderson Logan Marie Anderson• Trisha M. Anderson Tumu Asuao Joe Christman
Ryan Timothy John James Glasson Miranda T. Gold* Jessica Tawn Jarvis Jaime Leigh McClung
Associate of Applied Science in Welding
Taylor Clyde Behling T.J. Mckeag Bettino
Kaleena Negley Sung Jae Park** Ashlie Elizabeth Petersen Michal McKenna Stevenson*
Jalen Miller Dexter Storm Thayn
Certificate of Completion in Accounting/Information Systems
Rachel Sharp
Certificate of Completion in Automotive Technology
Matthew Hyer
Certificate of Completion in Engineering Drafting & Design
Richard Hurtado
Certificate of Completion in Heavy Equipment and Trucking
Logan R. Woodfall*
Certificate of Completion in Machine Tool Technology
Michael Ray Grange
Richard Buzz Vail*
Nicole A. Bradley• Brooke J. Brady* Courtney Alisa Brown Rhonda Brown Madison Frame Stephanie Gillespie
Certificate of Completion in Nursing (PN)
Ashlyn Hanna Lindsey Tenille Hanvey• Jisoo Kim* Raeann Langston• Sarah Marchello Andrew R. Martin
Certificate of Completion in Welding
Julie Mathews
Celessta Yvonne Merrill* Jennifer Rae Nielsen Michelle Peterson• Catherine R. Sacco•
Brady Tate Gibbs Trevor R. Rowley
**High Honors Graduate (3.75-4.00 GPA)
*Honors Graduate (3.50-3.74 GPA)
~Service Learning Scholar 'i"EasternUtah Ambassador
Gold cords are worn by graduates who have earned High Honors or Honors
Blue cords are worn by graduates who are Service Leaming Scholars
Red cords are worn by graduates who have served in Ambassador or Student Association roles.
Utah State Board of Regents
Bonnie Jean Beesley, Chair
Daniel W. Campbell, Vice Chair
Nina R. Barnes
Keith M. Buswell
Leslie Castle
Wilford W. Clyde France A Davis
James T. Evans
Marlin K. Jensen
Nolan E. Karras
Thomas D. Leavitt
Robert S. Marquardt
Erik Mikkelsen
Jed H. Pitcher
Robert W. Prince Harris H. Simmons
Marlon 0. Snow
Mark Stoddard
Teresa L. Theurer John H. Zenger
David L. Buhler, Commissioner of Higher Education
Utah State University Board of Trustees
Ronald W. Jibson, Chair
Scott R. Watterson, Vice Chair
Jody K. Burnett
Doug Fiefia
Mark K. Holland
Robert L. Foley
Susan D. Johnson
J. Scott Nixon
Frank Peczuh, Jr. Suzanne Pierce-Moore
Stan L. Albrecht, President, Utah State University Sydney M Peterson, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Utah State University Eastern Advisory Board
Renee Banasky, Chair
Erroll Holt, Vice Chair
Albert Barnett
Larry Davis
Jason Dunn Matt Gochis
Lynn Stevens
