Utah State University Tooele Commends 2020 Graduating Class

Utah State University Tooele is proud to celebrate its graduating class of 127 students. The class of 2020 consists of individuals earning associate, bachelor’s, master’s degrees, doctorate degrees and graduate certificates. While celebrations have been postponed in lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic, join USU in celebrating its Tooele graduates.

“During these unprecedented times, I could not be more proud of our graduating class.” Said Jenn Van Cott Cowburn, associate vice president of USU Tooele. “Our students are resilient and brilliant. Thank you to faculty and staff who supported our students to ensure they were able to reach this monumental day. I am so excited to hear from our students as they continue on their amazing life journeys.”

Vanessa Rhea is one of the graduates earning a bachelor’s of elementary education from USU Tooele. As a wife, mother of four, teacher and cancer survivor, her journey into higher education started later in life.

"I have always had a dream of earning a college degree. I dealt with significant and arising challenges while I attended classes, but I continued to work hard and never gave up on my goal,” Rhea said. “I’m proud of my accomplishment of receiving my bachelor’s degree and the happiness and growth that comes along with it.”

Sadie Gardner who will be receiving her nursing degree had to adapt under the new COVID-19 limitations.

“As with most students, my daily life had to change very quickly,” said Gardner. “It was such a relief that out of all of the sacrifices made during this time, my education was not one of them. Special thanks to USU Tooele faculty and staff for caring so much about our education and making the transition flawless.”

Students were put in a unique position this spring semester as courses transitioned online. With 25 years of experience in innovative online education, USU was able to provide a seamless transition.

Although USU has postponed its commencement celebration, it still intends to celebrate graduates now. Graduates are encouraged to share their stories on Facebook and Instagram using #USUGRAD20 while utilizing GIPHY stickers on Instagram and photo frames on Facebook. A crowdsourced Google Map will be generated using comments as a demonstration of those in solidarity with the class of 2020.

USU Tooele intends on celebrating its class of 2020 this September with plans of recognizing its graduates, photo opportunities, along with food, refreshments and Aggie Ice Cream.

Logan Commencement ceremony will be held on August 29 (as permitted). See USU’s website for more details as they’re finalized: https://www.usu.edu/commencement/schedule.cfm.