OREM -- The bad news for Baron Rohbock is that he has four semesters left before he can receive a bachelor's degree from Utah Valley State College.
The good news is that Rohbock is halfway done. He received an associate's degree of business management Friday at the McKay Events Center on the Orem campus."Graduates, devote yourselves to your dreams," said Rohbock, who served as president of the student association this year.
"Each of you has one. It's the very reason you got your degree, to pursue that dream," he said. "Don't give up now, get out there and let the world know what you have to offer."
Rohbock was one of 2,407 students who earned degrees or certificates of completion in vocational courses.
Some 486 students received baccalaureate degrees, a number that continues to rise each year at the former trade school now accredited to offer four-year degrees.
Graduates hailed from 33 countries, 31 states and nearly every county in Utah, most notably 1,707 from Utah County, said UVSC President Kerry D. Romesburg.
Kathie Debenham, UVSC's Teacher of the Year, urged graduates to "go after life with gusto."
"I hope deeply that your journey from here is characterized by many opportunities to celebrate, whether that takes on a physical embodiment or not," said Debenham. "Without meaning to diminish your present accomplishments, there is much learning ahead. The learning curve of life gives each of us the wonderful chance to continue to grow and change."
UVSC's trustee board selected Egyptian businessman Ibrahim Kamel and UVSC booster Nadine Gillmor to receive honorary doctorate degrees.
Kamel, chairman of an Egypt-U.S. development partnership created by President Clinton and President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak in 1995, this week canceled his appearance due to a serious illness in his family.
Still, a citation was read in his honor and the degree of international diplomacy will now be forwarded to the Egyptian embassy for courier delivery to Kamel in Cairo.
Romesburg and Kamel met during Utah's first Russia Days in 1998, which was hosted by UVSC. Kamel participates in such peace organizations as the Russian-Egyptian Friendship Society and owns companies that do business in Russia.
Gillmor, who volunteers with the Utah Boys Ranch, the 4-H program and various UVSC programs, was cited for embracing a philosophy of "setting a child straight and giving them the necessary tools" to succeed.
Gillmor, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters, also started a trust fund for scholarships.
You can reach Jeffrey P. Haney by e-mail at jeffh@desnews.com