A final farewell to USU President Noelle Cockett

Students, staff, faculty and children lined up from Old Main to the TSC Ballroom on April 18 to surprise Utah State University President Noelle Cockett with a goodbye celebration.  

Clara Alder, USU student body president, organized the “surprise walk” in an effort to honor Cockett’s accomplishments and dedication to the university before the president leaves.  

Even children from the Edith Bowen Laboratory School made an appearance, all cheering on Cockett as she emerged from Old Main. The participants then followed Cockett and Alder to the TSC ballroom.  

“She deserves to be recognized in some way, shape or form, and I think that should be coming from students, because she’s dedicated her whole life to students, and this is a great opportunity for us to show her that we appreciate her,” Alder said.   

Before Cockett came outside, USU students and faculty noted their thoughts on the event and Cockett’s accomplishments.   

Madelyn Peel, a sophomore studying biochemistry, said, “I love that we can get so many people together on such short notice. I think that’s cool.” 

Laura Parrish, an academic adviser for the special education department, said Cockett’s tenacity “radiates.” 

“I think even the fact that she was the first female president for the university, that’s a big thing, and everything she accomplished — we’re really proud of her, and we’re going to miss her. I think it’ll be really hard to fill her shoes. She’s done an amazing job,” Parrish said. 

When Cockett walked through Old Main’s doors, the crowd erupted in cheers.  

Once in the ballroom, Alder gave Cockett the lifetime achievement award, urging the student body to “carry on President Cockett’s legacy.”  

“I’m just incredibly touched, just insanely touched. I mean, I feel like crying, I feel like smiling, I feel like laughing,” Cockett said, a slight tremor in her voice. “It’s really incredible — I feel so much love.”  

Abe Rodriguez, USUSA’s executive vice president, noted the influence the president has had on both USUSA and USU students.  

“I love that she puts students first. I’ve seen that a lot this past year, working with our colleagues, whenever we would sit on different faculty committees. It’s been really cool to witness firsthand how she would always prioritize the student voice,” Rodriguez said.   

USU student Malia Taufu’i agreed with Rodriguez. 

“I think she’s done a really good job at making sure that we all know that we belong here, and making sure that we just have a good community here in general,” Taufu’i said. 

Several posters hung around the TSC ballroom, each commemorating Cockett’s unique accomplishments.  

One poster celebrated how Cockett helped USU “obtain state funding and approval for Utah’s only college of veterinary medicine.”  

Another showed how during her time as president, USU became “one of 146 research universities to earn the R1 Carnegie classification for excellence in research.”   

Under Cockett’s direction, USU also opened a new Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, hiring Dr. Jane Irungu to act as the division’s vice president.   

“She has been a great support for me in terms of starting the new division — a great champion for equity and inclusion, making sure that everybody feels welcome, everybody feels included,” Irungu said. “She has been a really good support. I’m going to miss her.”  

After the event, Cockett shook hands, hugged and took pictures with students, faculty and visitors — proving Alder’s point that, “Even if someone is a stranger, she takes that time to make them feel special and make them feel seen.”  

Alder suggested a way students can further honor Cockett, even after she’s gone.  

“Be an empathetic and kind leader who never overlooks time to connect with someone and really help them feel like they belong, and that they are special,” Alder said. “We can most definitely take the time to get to know a stranger.”   

-Jenny.Carpenter@usu.edu

Featured photo by Claire Ott