Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke to graduates at the Dec. 2007 commencement ceremony. Photo courtesy of LDS.org

Over three hundred students received their diplomas at the December 2007 commencement ceremony, held in the Cannon Activities Center on Dec. 15. 

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder W. Rolfe Kerr of the Church Educational System were among those that joined President Wheelwright and his leadership council on the stand at the ceremony. Graduation ceremonies are different at BYUH than other universities because, as Tom Moore, one parent who attended the ceremony said, “[they are] a nice mix of ecclesiastical and scholarly ceremonies.” 

The event opened with the procession of the faculty and graduates, followed by a flag ceremony and a welcome by President Wheelwright. The first speaker, Ty Dennis, a graduating student from Texas, shared his thoughts on the promising capability of this year’s graduating class in fulfilling the mission of the school.

Remarks from President Wheelwright followed, where he shared two principles that the graduates would benefit from implementing in their lives: excellence and character. After President Wheelwright, Arapata Meha, president of the BYUH Alumni Association followed President Wheelwright welcomed the graduates to the alumni association.

The presentation of the graduation candidates was then given by Wheelwright and Dr. Roberts, Vice President for Academics. A musical number, Vocalise, was performed by Heather Foutz, a graduate in Vocal Studies from Idaho, with Ryan Lam as pianist.

The names of each of the graduates were then read as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and be congratulated by President Wheelwright, Vice President Roberts, Elder Ballard and Elder Kerr.

Elder Kerr then spoke shortly, encouraging the students to be shining examples of which the Lord can be proud.

The final address to the graduates was given by Elder Ballard, entitled Using “New Media” to Support the Work of the Church.  The majority of his talk was devoted to encouraging members, and especially the new graduates, to use the recent technological advances for the good of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He also proved how, contrary to the beliefs of some, the age of the prophets, apostles and other leaders of the church do not make them incapable of leading the church.  He himself was given an iPod by his grandchildren last Christmas, and he specifically mentioned Facebook, blogs and E-mail as increasingly popular methods of communication.  “Make sure,” he warned, “that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul.”

click here to read more about his address at lds.org

Stephanie Catudel, an ICS-communications graduate from Canada, said that the speech had a great effect on her, not only because it was from an apostle but because it involves what she has been studying during her time her at BYUH. “At first I didn’t understand why it was important,” she said, “but after listening to the whole talk I understood why new media is important.”

After Elder Ballard, the BYUH concert choir closed the ceremony with Nella Fantasia.  Graduates and their families were then invited to attend a reception in the Aloha Center Ballroom where light refreshments were served and graduates and their families were able to visit and mingle with staff and faculty.

Seth and Lana Casey stand piled high with leis amidst the sea of graduates after the December 2007 Commencement ceremony. Photo by Ching Ying Jao.

Liz Moore, a junior in EXS from Colorado, was there not only as a BYUH student but also in support of her older brother Joseph Moore, who graduated in Vocal Studies.  “I really enjoyed ,” the ceremony and liked Elder Ballard’s talk,” she said.  Her parents, Tom and Kathy Moore, said that this was not their first college graduation, but it was their first at BYUH, and they really enjoyed it. 

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