Gary Herbert, the 17th governor of Utah, will be the featured speaker at Dixie State University’s 110th Commencement Ceremony that is set to honor the institution’s largest-ever graduating class.
During the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on May 7 in Greater Zion Stadium on the DSU campus, Herbert will address the university’s 2,273 degree candidates. Among the candidates for graduation are 25 master’s candidates, 1,212 baccalaureate candidates, 773 associate candidates and 263 certificate candidates.
“We are honored that former Governor Herbert is joining us in celebrating Dixie State University graduates and sharing his insights at our 110th Commencement Ceremony,” Dixie State President Richard B. Williams said. “Through his experience as governor and a successful professional, he has accumulated a wealth of knowledge that will greatly benefit our graduates as they go on to contribute to our community and the workforce. Our students have gained second-to-none active learning experiences, and I am excited to see the positive impacts they are going to continue to have on Southern Utah and beyond.”
Herbert served as the governor of Utah from 2009 to 2021. During his tenure, his focus was on economic development, education, energy and efficiency in government. As a result, Utah is recognized as a premier business destination and a great place to live and raise families with an unsurpassed quality of life.
Herbert was born and raised in Utah County, where he would eventually serve as a County Commissioner for 14 years. He attended Brigham Young University, served six years in the Utah National Guard from 1970-1976, and started a successful real estate brokerage and development company, Herbert and Associates Inc. He served as the president of the Utah Association of Realtors and the president of the Utah Association of Counties.
Herbert has also served as chair of both the Western Governors Association and National Governors Association and was the president of the Council of State Governments. Prior to becoming governor, he served as Utah’s lieutenant governor for four and a half years. Herbert and his wife, Jeanette, have lived in Orem for over 50 years and are the proud parents of six children and 17 grandchildren.
The commencement processional will begin at 8 a.m. on May 7 and the ceremony will start immediately following the processional. To learn more about Dixie State University’s 110th Commencement Ceremony, visit utahtech.edu/commencement.