Class of 2025: U of U Graduates Urged to 'Imagine It, Then Create It'

Former ESPN sportscaster and University of Utah graduate Holly Rowe has had the opportunity to interview many prominent figures in sports throughout her career spanning more than 30 years, including icons like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and rising star Caitlin Clark.

The person hails from Bountiful, Utah, and has visited the White House as well. They have received a national Emmy Award and had an encounter with Oprah too.

However, as Rowe shared with the latest batch of graduates from the University of Utah on Thursday, her path from her formative years in Davis County to eventually reporting on major sporting events wasn’t consistently clear or easy.

"I experienced many ups and downs," she stated during her keynote speech at the 2025 University of Utah graduation ceremony held at the Jon M. Huntsman Center.

The yearly graduation ceremony held on Thursday simultaneously celebrated the 8,908 graduates from the institution. For numerous attendees, this convocation not only signified the completion of their academic journey but also represented years filled with sacrifices, diligent efforts, and perhaps more than a couple instances of uncertainty.

Rowe — who refers to himself as a “mediocre student” — can relate.

I just made it through," she quipped. "I was quite anxious about speaking today since I had been paying off parking tickets for years after graduating from college, so you can imagine my panic as they've finally tracked me down.

Rowe recalled funding her college education by managing to save up barely enough for tuition. She took on various temporary positions such as working at the State Legislature, cleaning offices, and even donated plasma to make ends meet.

However, the young Holly Rowe relied on a strong sense of discipline and her ambitions to envision—and subsequently craft—the career she desired: Becoming a sports broadcaster.

Driven by "unshakeable self-assurance," Rowe mentioned she took up every "mundane task" that brought her nearer to honing her skills and achieving her aspiration of becoming a sports broadcaster. She completed "countless internships" and tackled jobs that nobody else was eager to take on.

However, subsequently, she received numerous chances. "These opportunities were earned—others did not have access to them."

Only a small number of current graduates will instantly be offered their "dream job," she mentioned.

But each of you has the potential to land your ideal careers; it will simply require some time. As you sit here today and when you depart from this place, be kind to yourselves. Allow yourself some leniency to continue pursuing those dreams.

Spend some moments imagining the life you desire, she continued, “and subsequently bring it into existence.”

When at the peak of her professional journey, Rowe received a diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic cancer. She mentioned that her life was saved thanks to participation in a "clinical trial and advanced immunotherapy."

However, her continuous struggle with cancer serves as a reminder to always stay true to one's values and aspirations. She keeps living and crafting the life she has always dreamed of.

Rowe finished by urging her newly minted University of Utah graduates to keep pursuing knowledge.

Each and every day, challenge yourself and expand. Look for individuals who differ from you. ... Discover people with varied methods and thoughts that can widen your perspective on life.

Diversity is our strongest educator — and I encourage each one of you to welcome it.

Student speaker: Tools for Success

On Thursday, Tracie Yellowman Tséyíníítso, who will graduate from the University of Utah in 2025 with a degree in community health education and promotion, delivered remarks as the student speaker.

Tséyíníítso presented herself as "a proud Diné (Navajo) woman hailing from the Four Corners region of Utah."

"I stand here today with the fortitude of my forebears coursing through me, descendants of brave fighters, notably Hastiin Kayeeli, my great-grandfather countless generations back. His endurance lives on in me and has provided the power for me to endure and excel both daily and throughout my academic path," she stated.

That spirit lives within me and directs my every move.

Similar to numerous graduates, Tséyíníítso’s journey to graduation was far from smooth.

"As someone who has been through the foster system, a parent, a pipe welder, and a student, there were times when the burden of my duties seemed overwhelming," she stated.

Yet, she found fortitude in the conviction and backing of her kin, companions, and beliefs.

Tséyíníítso recalled feeling daunted as she stepped into her initial class at the University of Utah. She experienced a sense of not fitting in. She questioned whether she truly belonged on campus and if attending college had been the correct choice.

But I recalled some aspects of my heritage: We possess the means to withstand and adjust, along with the bravery to triumph. In that moment, I readjusted my metaphorical quiver and bow, and embraced the challenge.

As each new semester rolled around, Tséyíníítso discovered her groove and built connections within her circle. "The enthusiasm and brilliance of my peers motivated me daily," she shared. "In my subtle manner, I paid tribute to all of them, hoping for their achievements as I charted my personal path."

Tséyíníítso stated that every member of the Class of 2025 has taken distinct journeys. However, she cautioned her fellow students to remember that they also possess the necessary tools to surmount obstacles.

As a proud University of Utah Ute, I am aware that we all bear within us the spirit of persistence, the capacity to adjust, and the bravery to guide.

As the Thursday graduation ceremony drew to an end, University of Utah President Taylor Randall told the Class of 2025 that they would never truly be out of "The U."

“You’re about to join the incredible ranks of 300,000 University of Utah alumni worldwide,” he said. “And speaking as a fellow alum, we’re thrilled to have you.”

A group of four individuals who received honorary degrees

During Thursday's graduation ceremony, the University of Utah bestowed honorary degrees upon four individuals.

• King Jordan received an honorary Doctorate of Education degree.

Jordan led Gallaudet University as its inaugural deaf president from 1988 to 2006.

According to the institution, his guidance increased public recognition of the significance of Gallaudet’s educational impact on both national and global levels.

Until 2006, Jordan was at the helm of Gallaudet University, significantly enhancing its visibility both nationally and internationally. Throughout his tenure, he acted as a strong advocate and spokesperson for the rights and recognition of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals globally. After stepping down from this role, he maintained his commitment by continuing to voice his support for the deaf community.

During his time in office, he acted as a global representative and champion for the rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

• An honorary doctorate of education was bestowed upon Julie A. Lassonde.

Lassonde obtained her bachelor's degree from Queen’s University (Canada) prior to starting a 20-year journey in mining engineering and financial services.

She has continued her family's dedication to supporting and guiding women who are seeking degrees and careers in STEM fields.

Her parents, Claudette MacKay-Lassonde and Pierre Lassonde, established the Lassonde Family Foundation, which stands on three main supports: education, the arts, and community engagement. Following the establishment of a New Venture Development Center at the University of Utah in 2002, a donation from the Lassonde family became the cornerstone for founding the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the same institution in 2006.

Currently focused on overseeing the family’s charitable initiatives alongside her father, Lassonde went back to academia to pursue an Executive MBA and most recently completed a Master’s degree in Art History at Brown University.

Her charitable endeavors are informed by both qualifications.

• Dr. Cecil Samuelson received an honorary Doctor of Science degree.

A doctor who previously held teaching and administrative roles at the University of Utah’s medical school, Samuelson additionally took on the role of president at IHC Hospitals.

In 1994, Samuelson was invited to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' First Quorum of the Seventy, serving in this role for 17 years.

In 2003, he took office as the president of Brigham Young University.

For eleven years he remained in that position, as stated by the university, "Cultivating relationships with University of Utah chancellors Bernie Machen and Michael Young. The leadership from both institutions jointly advocated for advancements in higher education, scholarly research, and college sports within the state."

• Linda C. Smith received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Smith has maintained a distinguished, career-long relationship with dance. She was among the inaugural group of graduates from the University of Utah’s pioneering fine arts-focused dance program back in 1964.

A few years later, Smith was one of eight recent graduates invited back to the University of Utah to realize Virginia Tanner’s dream of a professional Utah-based dance company, using seed grant funding from the Rockefeller Foundation.

The nascent Repertory Dance Theater (RDT), the first such company, was located in an old barracks structure on the university’s health science campus.

In 1983, as the old barracks were being demolished, Smith, who had recently become the company’s artistic director, faced the challenge of finding a space for their operations. She presented her ideas to both Salt Lake County officials and Utah-based philanthropist Izzy Wagner. This led to the formation of a collaboration between public entities and private donors aimed at establishing the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, as stated by the university.