Utah State University students in Logan aren’t the only graduates looking forward to the 121st commencement exercises. USU students who take classes at regional campuses or distance education sites across the state are also preparing for the big day. This year more than 400 students outside of Logan plan to graduate at their local commencement ceremonies.

For Kelly Bott, the journey to this graduation has been a long one, and it won’t be his last graduation. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology at the USU Brigham City Commencement April 17 and plans to work toward a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation from USU right after.

 

In 1990, Bott was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the disease left him wheelchair-bound. Every day, rain or shine, he motored down the street to the USU Brigham City campus for class, where the Disability Resource Center had provided a scribe to assist with note taking, typing and computer assignments.

 

While going to school, Bott and his wife, Katie, used their three horses as therapy animals for children with physical or mental challenges. This work was part of an apprenticeship Bott completed for the psychology program. They worked with an autistic child who spoke two new words and showed more excitement and growth than he had in years due to the therapy. They dream of running their own therapy ranch together someday. 

 

Despite his physical challenges, Bott looks forward to a future as a vocational rehabilitation counselor where he can help people with physical disabilities become gainfully employed.

 

“I couldn’t have gotten my education if it wasn’t for the help I received from USU and vocational rehab, and I want to be able to help others the same way,” he said. “USU was an answer to my prayers because it gave me the skills I need to be able to help people achieve their goals despite any disability.”

 

 Below is the commencement schedule for Regional Campuses and Distance Education:

 

April 17 at 6 p.m.

Box Elder Middle School (18 S. 500 East, Brigham City)

Speaker: Mary Hubbard

 

April 29 at 7 p.m.

Tooele High School (301 W. Vine, Tooele)

Speaker: Ross Peterson

 

April 25 at 2 p.m.

Roosevelt Junior High (256 N. 300 West, Roosevelt)

Speaker: J. Blair Batty

 

April 22 at 6 p.m.

CEU Student Center, Multipurpose Room (510 N. 300 East, Price)

Speaker: Raymond T. Coward

 

April 23 at 6 p.m.

Grand Center (182 N. 500 West, Moab)

Speaker: Raymond T. Coward

 

May 1 at 1 p.m.

San Juan High School (311 N. 100 East, Blanding)

Speaker: Christine Kearl

 

April 30 at 7 p.m.

Eccles Performing Arts Center (300 E. Center, Ephraim)

Speaker: Ralph Okerlund

 

Contact: Rebecca Riedler, 435-797-7198, rebecca.riedler@uau.edu
Writer: Annalisa Purser, 435-797-1429, annalisa.purser@usu.edu

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