CEU Graduation

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The 2008 College of Eastern Utah Commencement will be held May 3 in the Bunnell-Dmitrich Athletic Center at 10:30 a.m. The graduating class numbers 382. Two hundred forty-four students will be receiving associates degrees; 54 with an Associate of Applied Science; 26 with an Associates of Art and six with an Associates of Pre-Engineering. Another 52 will be receiving certificates of completion in areas from automotive technology to welding. The graduates come from as far away as Japan, Italy, Brazil, Germany, and Zimbabwe and from the states of Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
The program will include the following.
Tri-Valedictorian speakers.
Nicholas Barry Deeter is the son of Barry and Linda Deeter. A native of Helper, Nicholas was the Valedictorian for the Carbon High School Class of 2006. While at Carbon, Nicholas was also named the General Sterling Scholar, and was a captain for the football and wrestling teams; he also received Academic All-state honors for both sports. While at CEU, Nicholas has been the ASCEU Academic Senate Vice President for two years, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Nicholas plans to transfer to the University of Utah where he will major in exercise and sports science and minor in exercise physiology and pre-medicine. Someday Nicholas hopes to be a sports physician and open his own practice
Wendy Vogel was born and raised in Ogden and is the daughter of Jim and Joan Vogel. In 2006 she graduated from Ogden High School with a 4.0 GPA. Wendy attended CEU on an academic scholarship and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. After graduation Wendy will join many family members as CEU Alumni, including her parents, older sister, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. While at CEU Wendy has been a mentor for the Youth and Families with Promise program and participated in many Sun Volunteer Center activities. Wendy has enjoyed working with the CEU preschool and has been accepted into the teacher education program at Weber State University, where she plans to receive dual licensure for early childhood and elementary education.
Vanessa Lynn Hunt is a native of Price, and a 2006 high honor graduate of Carbon High School. She is the daughter of Jeff Hunt of Price and Lynn Hunt of Price. Vanessa attended CEU on a two-year Presidential Scholarship and was an elementary education major, but recently she changed her major to English. She has been involved with the Sun Center as a leader over the Creekview Elementary Project. She was also an editor for the CEU student published magazine The Nighthawk Review. While at CEU, Vanessa has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She plans to attend CEU for one more year in order to take more English classes. Then she plans to transfer to a university, possibly SUU.
Honorary doctorate.
Ann Morrell Thomas has been an unfailing supporter of the College of Eastern Utah during the past seven years as her husband has served as president. Ann has been a volunteer in the writing lab, has taught College Success classes and has team-taught classes with her husband in sociology, philosophy and criminal justice. Ann completed her B.S. magna cum laude in English at Brigham Young University shortly after the birth of the fifth of her six children. Before her family relocated in Price, she taught in the Writing Center at UVSC. Three of her children and both her son and daughter-in-law are graduates of CEU.
Commencement speaker.
Ryan Thomas has served as president of the College of Eastern Utah for the past seven years. In addition to his administrative role, he has taught classes in sociology, philosophy, criminal justice and Spanish.
Ryan earned his B.S., J.D. and Ph.D. at Brigham Young University. He is a member of the Utah State Bar and the California State Bar and a member or director on more than 20 boards. He and his wife Ann are parents of six children.
Val J. Halamandaris Caring Award
The Val J. Halamandaris Caring Award will be awarded to the graduate who has exhibited the spirit of caring and volunteerism at the highest level. The recipient will be named as a part of the graduation ceremony.