In a technological world, basic education is a gateway and ingenuity and adaptability are the keys to unlock it, speakers told nearly 1,900 Salt Lake Community College graduates Saturday.
By keeping this in mind, graduates can build upon the diverse education they received at SLCC and be well prepared to enter a constantly changing society, said student commencement speaker Walter K. Cox."This is the `information and communication' era where the necessary skills are ingenuity, communication, motivation and the ability to adapt," he said.
"As we continue to become educated, break down the barriers between people and learn about each other, we become the united family of man, ready to move into the universe and assume our role in the future."
Cox, a straight-A student and father of seven, graduated from SLCC with an associate degree in general studies. He received his bachelor's degree in communication disorders from the University of Utah the day before.
Also touching on the importance of worthwhile skills, President Frank Budd told graduates to use their education to cultivate good relationships, not just for self-gain.
"To help create a world of civility, a world tolerant of differences, seems to be the more important outcome," he said.
Ann Erickson, academic vice president, challenged graduates to exercise their minds, have a happy heart and not fear for the future. Leaving college means a leap over a "deep, frightening precipice" is in store, she said, but the SLCC graduates should be able to hurdle it.
Graduates earned diplomas, certificates of completion, and associate degrees in science, applied science and the arts-related fields. In addition, more than 400 completed Skills Center programs.
The college awarded honorary doctorate degrees to Joan L. Burnside, a former chairwoman of the school's Board of Trustees; union spokesman Ed Mayne and Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller. All expressed their appreciation for SLCC's influence in the area.
"The roles that community colleges fill are exciting to me," Miller said. "They target so dead-center what we as a dynamic, thriving, growing state really need."
This year's graduating class outnumbered last year's by nearly 500 students, which Budd attributes to both an increase in population and increasing interest in SLCC's emphasis on skills-related education.
Many graduates don't have jobs yet, but they, like Brenda Eldgrege, are hopeful their SLCC education will help ease them into a career. "This is a really good school," she said.