The April 2015 Graduation featured Presiding Bishop Gary Stevenson, who told graduates, “Fortune favors the bold.” Graduate Homer Wolman said his dream was realized in this moment of graduation. Stevenson’s message was about overcoming fears that plague graduates, such as fear of marriage, starting a family, failure and ridicule. He quoted President Uchtdorf, who said, “Don’t take council from your fears.” Concerning fear of failure, he said, “If you don’t take the chance, you’ll never fulfill your destiny. With God as your Father, no failure will be final. The warm glow of service and selflessness can melt away doubts and fears.” Aaron Ka Yu Fong, a graduate in psychology, said he appreciated Stevenson’s talk. “There are a lot of fears about graduating. You don’t know where you are going or what you are going to do next. Put faith and courage in it and everything will be fine.” Concerning Fong’s personal plans, he said, “I’m actually still going to be here. I have classes till June and I’ll be an intern till august. Then I will look for grad school. I like this plan of staying here a little bit longer.” Kelly Stevens, a sophomore in computer science from Oregon, said, “I liked his talk because he talked about facing our fears and overcoming our trials with a good attitude.” She said she was proud of her graduating friends and they inspire her to work hard to graduate. Alexandria Hoth, a graduate in marine biology from Ohio, was cheered by her family. Her mother, Christine Hoth, said, “We probably would never have come [to Hawaii] if she wasn’t here. We saved for a long time so we all could come and support her.” Hoth got a personal congratulations from Stevenson; he knew her family because her dad used to babysit for him.Wolman, who graduated in communications, said “Once upon a time I dreamed a dream. I dreamed a dream that she would be here.” He looked to his wife, Noel, who said “That he’d find a wife and then he’d graduate and he did!” Wolman continued, “And the dream came true. And the dream is yours, BYU! Do it!” Hiu Wong, a graduate in international cultural studies from Hong Kong, said he is excited to “move on with life. No more homework and no more papers. I’m getting married and going back home to Hong Kong.” President Steven Wheelwright’s opening remarks stressed the importance for graduates to be lifelong learners. He referenced 10-year-old Mormon, who was “quick to observe,” a key trait for those who want to be lifelong learners.Peter Wasden, a graduate in accounting from Connecticut, was the featured student speaker. He referenced Hogwarts from Harry Potter in the first 30 seconds of his talk, earning a chuckle from the audience. “In all seriousness,” he said, “we are the gold vein and BYUH is the refinery.” He said graduates must be like gold —incorruptible, make connections, and malleable. His final words were an urge to action. “We must do or we are worthless. The appearance of doing is not enough. Let us go and do. Action will delineate and define you.”History professor Michael Murdock said Wasden’s speech was “particularly well-conceived, well-delivered, pertinent, and it created imagery and a metaphor that’s going to remain in the minds of people for a long, long time. Everyone else’s is going to be forgotten because it’s complicated, but his was a very simple image that will stay.”Mark B. Woodruff, assistant to the Commissioner of the Church Educational System, quoted Julie B. Beck, 15th general president of the Relief Society: “The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.” He told the graduates that frequent fervent prayer, fasting and the study and application of scriptures are three principles that will help people receive revelation from the Holy Ghost. “You’ll need revelation for your own unique circumstances,” he said.Uploaded May 21, 2015
Writer: Samone Isom
