Southern Utah University Graduation 2017

I graduated from Southern Utah University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology/Zoology with honors, Summa Cum Laude. I was privileged to have many family and friends present to see me walk in the ceremony. I felt very loved and honored, even by my professors in the Biology Department who gladly offered hugs over handshakes. It is because of those professors that I am on the path that I am today. My little league baseball coach, now a long term friend, was also in attendance and noted how I held up the line more than anyone due to the many hugs offered by the biology faculty. I am so grateful to the amazing people in my life who have taught me, coached me, and raised me. My mother and father have been there supporting and encouraging me all along the way. As wonderful as it was to have so many people with me this day, there was one who I wish could have been there. My Grandfather, Walter Toone, passed away a year ago, but remains a positive and encouraging figure in my life. I enjoyed being able to share information with him of what I was learning in my classes and was impressed by his desire to learn and understand a variety of concepts. He motivates me to excel in learning and is a prime example of the Southern Utah University motto; Learning Lives Forever. Because of his example and those of so many others, I want to continue learning throughout my life. This was an early step in the direction of lifelong learning, however there will be more to follow!