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<title>Class of 2023 Archives - The Utah Statesman</title>
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<title>Letter from the president: Congratulations, Class of 2023</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/letter-from-the-president-congratulations-class-of-2023/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Statesman Editor]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 16:05:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Letters to the Editor]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Congratulations]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Letter from the President]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Noelle Cockett]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124588</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Dear 2023 Graduates, Congratulations on the completion of your degree or certificate program at Utah State University! I acknowledge your…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/letter-from-the-president-congratulations-class-of-2023/">Letter from the president: Congratulations, Class of 2023</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear 2023 Graduates,</p>
<p>Congratulations on the completion of your degree or certificate program at Utah State University! I acknowledge your tenacity as you pursued this milestone and I celebrate you for your success.</p>
<p>During this time of celebration, 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. As you leave USU and start the next chapter of your life, please know that you will always be part of USU’s history, legacy and trajectory.</p>
<p>Every Aggie journey looks different. You have faced personal and unique challenges, seized opportunities for growth and success, and matured into a different person than you were when you first enrolled. 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.</p>
<p>While your time at USU may be coming to a close, your degree or certificate is a foundation upon which you will build a life and career. As part of the Utah State University alumni family, you join other professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, and achievers who are making significant impacts in Utah and around the world.</p>
<p>Congratulations, Class of 2023. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your president, and thank you for being part of the Aggie Family.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Noelle E. Cockett</p>
<p>President</p>
<p>Utah State University</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/letter-from-the-president-congratulations-class-of-2023/">Letter from the president: Congratulations, Class of 2023</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Aviation student Tommi Abbott flies high during years at USU</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/aviation-student-tommi-abbott-flies-high-during-years-at-usu/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Darcy Ritchie]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 15:56:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Aviation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[girls in aviation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[graduation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jet program]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Tommi Abbott]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124582</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Tommi Abbott decided she wanted to be a pilot when she was 17 years old. Her cousins went through the…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aviation-student-tommi-abbott-flies-high-during-years-at-usu/">Aviation student Tommi Abbott flies high during years at USU</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tommi Abbott decided she wanted to be a pilot when she was 17 years old. Her cousins went through the aviation program at Utah State University and pushed her to pursue it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My cousins had gone here, so I already had a pretty good idea of the professors and what classes I was going to take,” she said. “Then I came here, and then I just fell in love with it.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott is from Pleasant View, Utah, and she will graduate this year with a professional pilot degree with a fixed wing emphasis and an aviation technology – aviation management degree, which she decided to add last semester.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was a total whim,” she said. “I was like, ‘Well, why not? I’m already paying for tuition.’”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This has been an intense semester for Abbot after adding the second degree and working on getting her instructor license, which was delayed because of the weather.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was supposed to finish the instructor thing months ago, and the weather was just so bad,” she said. “It just kept getting pushed and pushed.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott said the classes to become a flight instructor aren’t hard, but the extra work is “insane.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can’t even tell you how much I studied, but I could show you my binder in my car,” Abbott said. “16.6 pounds of all my lessons.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the instructor license, she had to complete a minimum of 15 hours of flying, including multiple spin flights, during which a pilot stalls the plane and spins towards the ground. After being endorsed, Abbott completed an intense government-mandated test called a checkride, which can take between three and eight hours on the ground followed by one to three hours in the air.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott now has her private, instrument, commercial and instructor licenses. She has spent over 330 hours in the air since she started the program. After graduation, she hopes to be a flight instructor at USU or do tours of the Grand Canyon, but her eventual goal is to work for an airline, which would require her to hit 1,000 hours. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott said she is someone who focuses a lot more on school than going to activities or getting involved. She advises new students to have fun at college, and for students in the pilot program to also put in the work and study.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You definitely need to know your profession because it’s not so much ‘just take a class to pass it’ as much as ‘you need this because someday you’re going to be flying people’s kids,’” she said. “You need to know how the plane works, and can you safely handle it if something goes bad?”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott’s biggest mentor at USU has been her instructor Parry “Pee Wee” Winder, who she said took her in as one of his own. He’s helped her meet important people in the aviation industry and increase her own influence on the aviation program.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abbott is involved with the jet training program at USU, which is the only program of its kind in the state. She taught the jet ground school last semester.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We teach our students how to actually fly a jet for 48 hours before they even ever touch one, so that they’re that much, much more ahead when they go to training,” she said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bruce Miller, the department head of Aviation Technology, said Abbott’s work in the jet program sets her apart as an outstanding student and role model.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She works at our jet training program as basically a mentor for other students,” Miller said. “She is always willing to provide that help, but she’s also a non-traditional role model for others.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Last fall, Abbott also got involved with the Girls in Aviation project at USU, which works with young girls interested in aviation. She was encouraged to join by her sister, Maizy Abbott, who is also in the pilot program.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s really cool to help these little girls and show them, ‘Hey, you can do this,’” Abbott said, “because it’s so easy for women especially to not feel confident in a male-dominant field.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Maizy said being in the same program as her sister has been “absolutely incredible.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not only is she such an amazing sister, but she’s such an amazing teacher,” Maizy said. “I’ve truly been so blessed to have her through it, especially with not very many women in the program.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said her sister is one of the most determined people she has ever met. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There is nothing that stands in her way, and every goal that she sets for herself, she goes above and beyond,” Maizy said. “Not only that, she’s so humble and kind and will literally help anybody in need and stop everything to do that for them.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Miller also recognized Abbott’s willingness to help others — both fellow students and the department as a whole. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We will miss seeing her,” Miller said. “We’re happy to see her go out and be a successful professional.”</span></p>
<p><em>— darcy.ritchie@usu.edu</em></p>
<p><em>Featured photo by Bailey Rigby</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/aviation-student-tommi-abbott-flies-high-during-years-at-usu/">Aviation student Tommi Abbott flies high during years at USU</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Victoria Johnson: Capturing life and the afterlife</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/victoria-johnson-capturing-life-and-the-afterlife/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leah Call]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 15:00:24 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Caine College of the Arts]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Graduating]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[photography]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[senior]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124555</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Victoria Johnson sat at a table in front of the Fine Arts Center, talking about photography, college and home —…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/victoria-johnson-capturing-life-and-the-afterlife/">Victoria Johnson: Capturing life and the afterlife</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1">Victoria Johnson sat at a table in front of the Fine Arts Center, talking about photography, college and home — which is 5,300 miles away.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Born and raised in Brazil, Johnson uprooted their life in 2017 and set new roots as an Aggie at Utah State University, choosing to major in photography and minor in sociology. Their father’s family lives nearby and boasts a long line of Aggies before them.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“I wanted to study out of the country and I’ve just done photography, and one day I was like, ‘Wait, I could just do this for the rest of my life, and I could get paid for it,’” Johnson said. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Johnson said the decision to minor in sociology came naturally after taking the necessary classes for fun without the intention of minoring at all. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“I think what I’ve come to learn this past semester was how important research is and how much it adds to the creative process, and how much it adds to building meaning in work,” Johnson said. “I think just using the tools that I learned in my sociology classes has been really useful and being able to access that when making work about today, politics, people and marginalized identities.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">As their senior thesis, Johnson completed a visual study on funeral homes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">By documenting the interior and how it is decorated and staged, she found it is a stage for the social performance that is a funeral. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“One thing that surprised me was I definitely had this vision of how most people see death, how most people deal with it and how most people deal with the thought of a funeral,” Johnson said. “Through the work and through experiencing loss, I was able to identify that I was projecting, and a lot of that was expectations that I had, which in a similar way is like a lot of the expectations society has on people and how they should grieve. That’s what keeps the cycle of repressing emotions and not being able to openly grieve and just be really sad and experience complex emotions.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Johnson’s research consisted of photographing funeral homes and talking to people — collecting experiences people have had with funeral homes, and how funeral homes are perceived by the public and in the media. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“It started off with an interest I had, for an unknown reason,” Johnson said. “I am still not really quite sure why I was so drawn to it. And then I experienced a loss, and it grew this sincere admiration and appreciation for the people in the industry. How the funeral directors are, in a way, curators who build or curate funeral homes as installations — as a stage for a social performance. Once the buzz of graduation quiets down, I think I would be interested in going to other funeral homes, probably more eclectic ones. Now that I have this realization that it’s just an installation, I would like to see some wackier ones and photograph more through that lens.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Jared Ragland, assistant professor of photography in the Department of Art and Design has worked closely with Johnson and been a mentor to them since he began teaching at USU two years ago. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“Victoria was one of my first students here at USU, so working with them through the earlier analog classes through now at their senior year capstone project has been really special and rewarding,” Ragland said over the phone. “It’s been wonderful to be a part of their growth as an individual and an artist.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Johnson said by collaborating with others and discussing their research, they were able to get insight and form connections they hadn’t seen before.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“It made me realize that I was probably part of the problem of the general population,” they said. “How I see death and how I think the best way to process it is. But also it made me empathize more with people, because there’s not really a manual on how to grieve, and unless you go to a lot of therapy, no one really tells you what a good way to deal with it is.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Johnson’s portfolio website states, “Together the pictures ultimately illustrate how these liminal spaces serve as empty containers for a family’s bereavement and mourning, all while acknowledging the ambiguities and ironies in funerary practices. As such, <i>The body is only a vessel</i> treats funeral homes less as venues for the exhibition of embalmed bodies and more like vessels constructed to fulfill whatever needs of those left behind, documenting how funeral practices aren’t so much a dance with death but a shuffle around it.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Johnson’s exhibition, “The body is only a vessel,” was on display at the USU Projects Gallery in the Fine Arts Center from Feb. 20 to March 3. Johnson was responsible for every aspect of the show — getting their work together, marketing and advertising, installing the exhibition, the reception and takedown after the exhibition was over.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Kathy Puzey, printmaking professor and department head for the art and design program, was Johnson’s capstone BFA professor, who helps prepare students for their BFA thesis exhibition. Puzey worked with students on the display and installations of the exhibits themselves.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“I’ve taught this class for a number of years, and it’s always great to see these students at the end of their BFA careers,” Puzey said. “To see the work put together in a cohesive manner and seeing them getting ready to take that next step out into the world, and just watching them get ready to embark on their careers. It’s been really fun and impressive to see their development.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Johnson is graduating in May and will take a year off before continuing to grad school. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I definitely want to take a year off because I’ve been in school for like six years. I did a bunch of electives and really took my time figuring out what I wanted to do,” Johnson said. “In Brazil, you don’t get to do exploratory classes. You pick your major and if you want to do a different major, you have to transfer over. That sounded really overwhelming to me because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. It wasn’t until I took the classes and was like ‘oh yeah, I could do the stuff I like to do as a career’. Who would have thought?”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">When Johnson first started taking art classes, everything changed. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I think finding myself as an artist has been really meaningful to me</span><span data-contrast="auto">,</span><span data-contrast="auto"> and understanding that it’s okay to not want to take a traditional career path,” Johnson said. “Understanding what it means to make good art, not in the sense that you have to have a college education to make good art but you know, what it involves to be thoughtful and the research that goes behind it, that’s been something I’m really proud of,</span> <span data-contrast="auto">and graduating too.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto">“I have no doubt that Victoria, in whatever work they end up going into and whatever they end up studying, will be successful because of the ways in which they have pursued their artmaking, their visual vocabulary and their understanding of the world while they’ve been here at USU,” Ragland said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559740":276}"> </span><span data-contrast="none">For more information on the exhibition go to </span><a href="https://victoriajohnson.art/"><span data-contrast="none">https://victoriajohnson.art/</span></a><span data-contrast="none">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559740":276}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/victoria-johnson-capturing-life-and-the-afterlife/">Victoria Johnson: Capturing life and the afterlife</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Biological engineering student Melanie Mills makes a difference in agriculture </title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/biological-engineering-student-makes-a-difference-in-agriculture/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Caitlin Keith]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 13:00:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[biological engineering]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[College of Engineering]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Graduating]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[seniors]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124571</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>“I’ve got the super fancy, whatever new calculator, but it does not do me any good in competing with Melanie,”…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/biological-engineering-student-makes-a-difference-in-agriculture/">Biological engineering student Melanie Mills makes a difference in agriculture </a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1">“I’ve got the super fancy, whatever new calculator, but it does not do me any good in competing with Melanie,” said Peter Jeppeson, a biological engineering student. “She’s just got this beat-up TI-89 probably from the ‘90s, and she still kicks everybody’s butt.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Jeppeson met Melanie Mills two years ago while working with her for a group project. He said Mills stands out because of her work ethic and dedication. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“She is totally the epitome of excellence,” Jeppeson said. “She’s super dedicated, super levelheaded and honestly, she’s amazing.”</p>
<p class="p1">Mills, who is graduating this May with a degree in biological engineering, currently works full-time at Gossner Foods as a process engineer. When she began applying for internships last October, she was hoping to find something for the summer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“I called them, and it ended up that this guy had never heard of me — it was a complete cold call,” Mills said. “And I was just in the right place at the right time when they said, ‘Actually, we really need your skill set. We’d love to have you.’”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Mills said she is the only engineer working in the facility of about 650 employees. She was hired to reduce water and milk waste and to increase efficiency. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Biological engineering is a variation of chemical engineering. Mills said it involves thinking about how one can exploit biological systems to accomplish the chemistry that is desired. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Mills, the youngest of eight kids, grew up on her family’s farm in Burley, Idaho. Her family grew potatoes, sugar beets, alfalfa and corn. They also raised beef and dairy cows. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“I grew up with exposure to lots of different aspects of the ag industry,” Mills said. “And I knew I couldn’t be a farmer, but I wanted to stay involved in the industry. So I decided to come to Utah State and study something that would help me be able to give back in the ag industry, and I just decided to study biological engineering.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Mills has classmates focusing on vaccines, biofuels and prosthetics, but her focus is on agriculture. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“Since I’ve started in biological engineering, my goal was always to have the technical skills from engineering to be able to communicate with the technical people in the industry, and then have the agricultural background to be able to communicate with the producers and the shareholders in an ag company,” Mills said. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Mills has been able to start fulfilling this goal in her job at Gossner and will continue to follow this goal as she moves forward in her career. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">She is married to Daniel Mills, who she met at a Logan Institute of Religion activity. Daniel is a junior from western Nebraska studying mechanical engineering. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Daniel said five of Melanie’s strengths are faith, dedication, common sense, kindness and being goal-driven. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“I think she was nominated because she has a specific purpose and goal for her education,” Daniel said. “It’s very common that people aren’t sure what they want to do after graduation.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Daniel said even though Melanie hasn’t graduated yet, she already has “her dream job.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">When Melanie isn’t studying or working, she enjoys four-wheeling, sewing and watching Duke basketball.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Melanie summed up her childhood in a story when she and her cousins used to take two four-wheelers on either side of a canal with a rope in between them and pull someone with the rope on a kneeboard. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">She got a little aggressive, went too fast and pulled the four-wheeler her cousin was driving into the canal. They were able to pull it out of the water and get it running again, but they decided not to tell their parents. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">A few months later, the four-wheeler stopped working because water got into the oil and ruined the engine. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“If we would have been honest and upfront in the beginning, we could have just drained the oil,” Melanie said. “My dad probably would have been mad, but it wouldn’t have been a big deal. It taught me two important life lessons. The first is there’s so much to be said about just being upfront and honest. And the other is that you always have to be paying attention in life. Because if you aren’t paying attention, life can pull you in, in different directions.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">If she could give advice to her first-year self and other incoming college students, Melanie said they shouldn’t be pressured into feeling they need to be involved in anything. They should find out what they want to do and follow that path. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">She said oftentimes, professors made her feel like she was bound to fail, but she wants new students to know if they are willing to work hard, they can succeed. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“I think something that wasn’t stressed enough was ‘Sure, college is difficult, but it’s not impossible,’” Melanie said. “If you’re willing to work hard, and not just work hard, but use your time efficiently, you can get it done.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">Melanie said the three things she values most in the world are her faith, her family and the ability to laugh. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“I think that’s something that we kind of take for granted in our world, and we almost praise people for being gloomy or say, ‘Oh, my life sucks more than your life,’” Melanie said. “But I think the ability to be happy and find joy where we’re at is a gift.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/biological-engineering-student-makes-a-difference-in-agriculture/">Biological engineering student Melanie Mills makes a difference in agriculture </a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Graduate Sione Siaki continuing to inspire</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/graduate-sione-siaki-continuing-to-inspire/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tyler Bodily]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 13:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[College of Humanities and social sciences]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Graduating]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[seniors]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[sociology]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22124564</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Throughout his academic journey, Sione Siaki has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, a strong work ethic and a passion for making…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/graduate-sione-siaki-continuing-to-inspire/">Graduate Sione Siaki continuing to inspire</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1">Throughout his academic journey, Sione Siaki has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, a strong work ethic and a passion for making a positive impact on his community. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki grew up in West Jordan and attended Copper Hills High School. It was during his time in high school that Siaki first discovered his love for community service. He joined a club called People of the Pacific and volunteered weekly at an elementary school.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">This experience built a passion for service that has remained with him ever since. Volunteering also gave Siaki leadership skills that would play an important role as he continued his education.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Despite initially not having college in mind, Siaki’s friends enrolled at Utah State University Eastern and convinced him to attend as well. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“It seemed like a good opportunity for me,” Siaki said. “It kind of fell into my lap at a time when I really needed it.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki had an interest in studying computer science, but this was fleeting. His passion for making a positive impact on his community reflected in his choice of major — sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Throughout his studies, he has gained a deep understanding of social issues and a strong desire to address them. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“We just focus on understanding how people operate in groups,” Siaki said. “And I especially love analyzing minority and under-represented groups.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki is going on to be an educator and help represent Pacific Islanders in education, who are under-represented in community leadership. He has always said yes to every opportunity, including running for student body president at USU Eastern. He won the title, setting him on the path to influence students and faculty alike. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Each opportunity opened the door for another, sparking his move to the USU Logan campus, where he completed his degree.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“I really have found a love for higher education, so I would love to work in higher education and help get access and resources for under-represented groups in higher education,” Siaki said. “I think I’ve really found and helped create a place where I feel I belong and where my voice matters, and I want to continue that work.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">In addition to his academic achievements and commitment to service, Siaki is also admired by his friends for his outgoing and friendly nature. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and support others.</p>
<p class="p2">His sister, Emily Afemata, said Siaki has been involved in Aggie Radio, the Pacific Student Union and a fraternity. His community projects have included converting a junk yard into a community garden.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“He loves to try new things and really take advantage of this time of his life,” Afemata said. “He has so many accomplishments, and it’s because he never takes anything for granted and he puts his heart in everything he does.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki’s positive attitude and genuine interest in others has made him a role model to his friends and family. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“He is always the person I call before I make a life-altering decision,” Afemata said.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki’s adventurous spirit is another aspect of his personality that his friends admire. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Tecia Mose recalled times where Siaki had been supportive, including spontaneous trips down to Blanding, hikes and various adventures.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“I really look up to him because he has been so supportive and encouraging of me,” Mose said. “Just a wonderful and kind person. He just loves to serve everybody and is always doing everything he can for other people.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki loves to go on hikes and explore the natural beauty of the world around him. Whether it’s hiking in the nearby mountains or traveling to new and exciting destinations, he is always up for an adventure. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Mose said Siaki’s love of adventure is a reflection of his passion for life and his desire to make the most of every opportunity. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">As a lifelong friend, Mose has been privy to many personal details of Siaki’s life. She feels while Siaki didn’t have the easiest childhood, his perseverance and willingness to put himself out in the world and put his best into everything he does sets him apart from others.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">While at USU Eastern and in Logan, Siaki has had the opportunity to join many groups, including Circles USA as a child and youth worker, UServeUtah as a youth council member and the Utah Student Association as a board member. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">Siaki spends a lot of time with others helping them to grow and accomplish the dreams they have, using his own life and accomplishments as inspiration. His constant striving for self-improvement and greatness ensures a positive impact on all he meets.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“He will always give his honest opinion and above anything else, he’ll give you his time,” Afemata said. “He will make you feel heard and validated with just one FaceTime call.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">As Siaki prepares to graduate, he is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. He hopes to use the knowledge and skills he has gained at USU to make a positive impact on his community and beyond. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p2">“I’m about to walk, which has always been a dream of mine,” Siaki said. “There were so many obstacles that could’ve stopped me, but honestly just getting to this point, and still being able to be the first person in my family to go to college and graduate is a huge deal in itself.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/graduate-sione-siaki-continuing-to-inspire/">Graduate Sione Siaki continuing to inspire</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>USU seniors prep for graduation</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/usu-seniors-prep-for-graduation/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Carter Ottley]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:00:45 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[2023 graduating class]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[2023 USU commencement]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Carly Blake]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Class of 2023]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[commencement]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Daria Malovich]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Logan Graduation Fair]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Mason Mcquivey]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU seniors]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State seniors]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22123660</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Utah State University will host its 136th graduation commencement on May 4 and 5. The ceremony will be for students…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-seniors-prep-for-graduation/">USU seniors prep for graduation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="none">Utah State University will host its 136th graduation commencement on May 4 and 5. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The ceremony will be for students who graduated or anticipate graduating in summer 2022, fall 2022, or spring 2023. Students graduating in summer 2023 can walk early with permission from their college or campus for statewide students. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The academic procession and commencement ceremony will be in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum from 9-11 a.m. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">With graduation approaching, USU seniors are feeling a wide variety of emotions as they prepare to graduate and take their next steps.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Daria Malovich, a senior studying religious studies with a minor in Middle Eastern studies, is “stoked” about graduation.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I’m most excited about the world of opportunity that is now open to me,” she said. “It is wild to think that I’m finally at this point that I’ve dreamed about for my whole life.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">There are only two things Malovich still wants to do before graduation — become best friends with the men’s basketball team — or at least Coach Odom — and kiss during True Aggie Night (DM her on Instagram @daria.malovich.)</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“It is crazy to think of all of the things that I’ve accomplished and been a part of here at USU, between academics, athletics, student involvement and events, friends, bad dates,” she said. “I still can’t quite believe I’ve actually made it this far.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Carly Blake, a senior studying human biology, is excited to figure out what her next step is.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I’m feeling very ready and excited to commemorate such an important chapter of my life,” she said. “I’m also excited to hopefully be moving down to Salt Lake.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Blake feels satisfied with everything she was able to do in college, but she would like to kayak at First Dam before graduating.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Mason Mcquivey, a senior studying computational mathematics, is looking forward to starting the next chapter of his life.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">“I am most excited to move to Salt Lake, start my career and pursue a master degree in data science,” he said. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The USU Campus Store will have a Logan Graduation Fair on March 14 and 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The fair is a chance for graduating students to go to the store and </span><span data-contrast="none">pursue </span><span data-contrast="none">peruse</span> <span data-contrast="none">graduation regalia, such as caps, gowns and tassels. Graduation supplies will also be available for purchase online following the fair.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">To walk during the commencement ceremony, graduating students must have a cap, gown and tassel.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">There will also be a specific graduation ceremony for each college. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Caine College of the Arts, College of Science, S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, and College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences will have their ceremonies on May 4. There will also be a ceremony for students earning a bachelor of integrated studies or associate of general studies on this day. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The ceremonies for Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, College of Engineering, and Emma Eccles College of Education and Human Services will be held on May 5. The business school and CEHS will have separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate degrees.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Graduation at statewide campuses will happen near the end of April.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Additional information can be found on the </span><span data-contrast="none">commencement webpage</span><span data-contrast="none">, and questions can be directed to commencement@usu.edu.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Carter.Ottley@usu.edu</p>
<p>Photo illustration by Bailey Rigby</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usu-seniors-prep-for-graduation/">USU seniors prep for graduation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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