SALT LAKE CITY — Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Utah held a virtual commencement Thursday night. The ceremonies paid tribute to 8,628 graduates, including 72 student-athletes.
“I’m more proud of this particular graduating class than any I’ve ever been associated with — their determination, their grit, their sticktoitiveness, to finish their dreams of what they all wanted when they started here some years ago,” said Utah’s Director of Athletics Mark Harlan.
“An incredible group. They have been so focused to finish in this new dynamic and to watch them transition from, in some cases, grief and disappointment to have their particular athletic seasons end in the case of our spring sports and to see them just fight through it and get to the point where they could finish this week.”
Harlan added that he’s had the opportunity to visit with several of the student-athletes via Zoom and other types of outreach.
“I’m thrilled for all of them,” said Harlan, who noted that caps and gowns were sent to any of the graduating athletes requesting them. Approximately 50 took the offer. The reward, he mentioned, was getting photos back.
Twitter messages from alums like Alex Smith and Steve Smith enhanced the situation. Harlan said the university and the athletic department were laser focused in celebrating.
“Despite the fact that they had to finish it in a different way, it doesn’t take one thing out of their accomplishments,” Harlan noted.
University of Utah President Ruth V. Watkins issued a statement expressing how proud the university is of the resilience and determination shown by the class of 2020, many of whom had to finish their courses online.
“While we share our graduates’ disappointment in not being able to gather together on this momentous occasion, our pride and joy in their accomplishments are unwavering,” she said. “Their creativity, passion and persistence will be the bright lights guiding us forward. We will celebrate their achievements now and again in December, so they receive the pomp they deserve despite this unusual circumstance.”
Among those receiving degrees is former Utah defensive tackle Paul Soliai, who played in the NFL from 2007-16. He made the Pro Bowl during his stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2011. Soliai, who is receiving a bachelor’s degree in sociology, was a student assistant undergraduate coach with the Utah football program last season.
“It’s so great when folks finish. There’s no timeline to your finish, just finish,” Harlan said. “He’s a great example of other students in general population, but of course student-athletes that can finish.”
Harlan added that “the best thing you can do is graduate and we want to assist those that are close any way that we can.”
In a list of graduates compiled by the Utah athletic communications office, football tops the list with 14. Baseball, skiing and swimming/diving are tied for second with seven apiece, while women’s basketball, cross country/track, lacrosse and soccer each have five. Gymnastics and tennis are next with four, followed by men’s basketball, golf, softball and volleyball with two grads each. Beach volleyball has one, as every team is represented.
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Utah student-athlete graduates May 2020
BASEBALL
Braden Debenedictis (health, society and policy), Dominic Foscalina (sociology), Andre Jackson (communications), Samuel Mundt (business administration), Jacob Rebar (kinesiology), Kyle Robeniol (economics) Trevor Wells (economics).
BASKETBALL
Julie Brosseau (business administration), Maurane Corbin (parks, recreation and tourism), Nicole Griffiths (kinesiology), Kiana Moore (sociology), Daneesha Provo (sociology), Marc Reininger (mechanical engineering), Novak Topalovic (master’s in education, leadership and policy).
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Keana Smalls (human development and family studies).
CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK
Hannah Allred (art), Caitlin Faust (biology), Ashley Licata (human development and family studies), Brooke Martin (art), Kolbi Sims (health, society and policy).
FOOTBALL
London Bartholomew (economics/sociology), Nick Carman (kinesiology), Samuelu Elisaia (communications), Bapa Falemaka (sociology), Connor Haller (finance), Malik Haynes (sociology), Chad Hekking (master’s in information systems), Drew Lisk (kinesiology), Keegan Markgraf (economics), Samson Nacua (sociology), Scott Peck (economics), Tucker Scott (communications), Paul Soliai (sociology), Pita Tonga (family, community and human development).
GOLF
Jordan Costello (business administration), Peyton Hastings (accounting),
GYMNASTICS
Makenna Merrell (parks, recreation and tourism), Macey Roberts (parks, recreation and tourism), Sabrina Schwab (biology), Kim Tessen (psychology).
LACROSSE
Liam Donnelly (economics), Aaron Fjeldsted (civil engineering), Seth Neeleman (business administration), Jimmy Perkins (master’s in real estate development), James Sexton (communications).
SKIING
Maxmilian Bie (master’s in educational leadership and policy), Logan Diekmann (mechanical engineering), Julie Flo Mohagen (master’s in information systems), Martin Grasic (mechanical engineering), Guro Jordheim (mathematics), Sabine Krautgasser (kinesiology), Roni Remme (psychology).
SOCCER
Haylee Cacciacarne (communications), Holly Daugirda (business administration), Jamie Goodwin (kinesiology), Tavia Leachman (human development and family studies), Carly Nelson (Psychology).
SOFTBALL
Alyssa Barrera (communications), BreOnna Castaneda (health, society and policy).
SWIMMING & DIVING
Mallori Allen (marketing), Mariah Gassaway (psychology), Sarah Lott (kinesiology), Colten Montgomery (art), Christina Pick (mathematics), Matteo Sogne (economics/mathematics), Daniel Theriault (french/political science).
TENNIS
Azat Hankuliyev (bachelor’s and master’s in information systems), Whitney Hekking (human development and family studies/sociology), David Micevski (management), Slava Shainyan (management).
VOLLEYBALL
Brianna Doehrmann (health, society and policy), Kinga Windisch (business administration).
SOURCE: Utah Athletic Communications