Boise State University

12/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/14/2024 18:32

Boise State University marks 115th commencement

Family and friends filled ExtraMile Arena for two ceremonies on Saturday to celebrate more than 2,400 new Boise State University graduates.

Winter Commencement Morning, December 14, 2024, Photo by Luan Teed

In all, 2,416 students who finished their coursework in summer and winter 2024 were eligible for 2,920 degrees and certificates. The ceremonies also featured a record 43 graduates earning doctoral degrees. They join more than 180,000 living alumni of Boise State.

"You made sacrifices, invested energy and commitment, embraced challenges, and demonstrated tenacity and grit. You dedicated yourself to developing your mind and opening up your future. What you have learned - and not just the content, but your ability to pursue questions, to solve problems, to analyze and communicate your ideas - will advance you throughout your future, make you more resilient when you face challenges, and help you bring your gifts to the world. Today we celebrate you for this extraordinary success," said Boise State University President Marlene Tromp.

2024 Winter Commencement, morning ceremony, photo by Priscilla Grover

Oliver MacDonald and Carolyn Carter-Bailey were featured student speakers for the ceremonies. Morning speaker MacDonald is earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, along with three minors in computational science and engineering, applied mathematics and computer science.

"I am not defined by the classes, tests or projects that I have failed nor am I defined by those projects I started that didn't work out. I am defined by the projects that did succeed, the effort that folks saw me put into the projects I cared about, and my resilience to failure and tough criticism that helped me evolve into the person I am today while helping the communities around me," said MacDonald. "Hopefully, you've had the opportunity to experience this or, through reflection, can start to see how these concepts of failure and the beautiful tragedy of a good life have led you down the paths you now walk on."

Winter Commencement, morning, December 14, 2024, Photo by Sean Evans

In the afternoon ceremony, Carolyn Carter-Bailey, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies with honors, encouraged her graduating peers as they take their next steps.

"To say 'Go Broncos!' is as much a celebratory chant of one another and our teams as it is a challenge to each of us. We are inducted today into a large family of those who do and dare greatly. A people who take onus of themselves - for both the good and the bad to which we inevitably create. We are challenged here today to do the same with great passion, creativity, endurance and humility." said Carter-Bailey.

As part of the ceremony, teachers Benjamin Ott from Les Bois Junior High and Nicole Rapp from Taft Elementary, both in Boise, received the Pesky Award for Inspirational Teaching.