Supportive family members, friends, and faculty gathered together in the Wilkinson Student Center ballroom on April 22 to celebrate the most recent graduates from the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
“It is a time of excitement in your lives where you look forward to the next exciting chapter,” Dean Scott D. Sommerfeldt said as he welcomed graduates to convocation. “There are important, exciting things ahead, so what we are celebrating today is not so much an ending point as it is, perhaps, a starting point.”
It’s a starting point for quite a few graduates. 427 students graduated from the college this Winter Semester: 363 received bachelor’s degrees, 50 received master’s degrees, and 14 received doctoral degrees.
Attendees heard talks from Dean Sommerfeldt; Chloe Sumsion, graduating magna cum laude in computer science; Owen Craven, graduating magna cum laude in geology; and Cindy Snow of the Alumni Board.
Sommerfeldt focused his comments on the importance of remembering the education, mission, and purpose of BYU.
“I would hope that each of you is never really done with BYU,” Sommerfeldt said. “Because hopefully, BYU has changed you forever.”
Sommerfeldt explained to graduates that there are more important goals than just obtaining a degree.
“BYU is not just about getting knowledge in our chosen discipline, but rather it also encompasses the objective that we grow in our spiritual lives and in the development of our character,” Sommerfeldt said.
As he finished his address, Sommerfeldt provided the students with a promise.
“As you remember the things you learned here at BYU . . . and as you continue to let BYU run through you, it will bring happiness and fulfillment to your lives,” Sommerfeldt said.
Sumsion shared a story of a group of wildland firefighters called smoke jumpers who parachuted into a raging forest fire. The smoke jumpers failed to act once they arrived on location because they insisted on waiting for instructions from their dispatcher.
“I’d like to equate fighting fires to serving others,” Sumsion said. “Let’s be the smoke jumpers that step forward and make a difference in the lives of those around us.”
Craven shared his knowledge of Y Mountain and explained several principles that can be learned from observing geology.
“When you see those layered rocks, you can remember that mountains took millions of years to become their beautiful selves, and that’s okay. You have a lot of time to learn and progress,” Craven said. “What was once the bottom of the ocean is now literally sitting on top of the world. The Lord will uplift you if you let him.”
In Snow’s address, she invited all graduating students to stay involved in the BYU community.
“What will happen to BYU without you?’” Snow said. “I hope we never know. I hope you stay connected.”
Geology graduate Alexandra Ahern and BYU’s Irish/Scottish ensemble Siúil shared their impressive musical talents with graduates by performing “The Curse Reversed”.
As graduates internalize the advice given to them, they are sure to experience a bright and fulfilling future.
See a slideshow of the ceremony here.