March 28, 2024

Former Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., to deliver commencement address at USU Eastern

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Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., will give

the commencement address for Utah

State University-College of Eastern

Utah on April 28.

The former two-term governor of

Utah is fresh off the campaign trail

as a candidate for the Republican

presidential nomination. He left the

race in January.

“We are deeply honored to have

Governor Huntsman join us on such

a momentous occasion,” said USU

Eastern Chancellor Joe Peterson.

“He brings with him a wealth of state

and international knowledge that is

truly unique. The depth and scope

of his perspectives and personal

experiences are sure to inspire our

students.”

USU Eastern will celebrate

with its students the transformation

from scholar to graduate during its

annual commencement ceremonies

at campuses in Price and Blanding.

The Pr ice commencement

begins at 10 a.m., in the Bunnell

Dmitrich Athletic Center. Also

honored will be Price City Mayor

Joe Piccolo who will receive the

Chancellor’s Medallion. This is the

74th commencement ceremony for

the college.

The USU Eastern Blanding

Campus will hold its graduation

ceremonies April 27 at 1 p.m. at

San Juan High School. The Blanding

commencement speaker is Rose

Graham. Merri Shumway will be

given the Chancellor Medallion.

This year marks the 33rdcommencement

for the Blanding Campus.

From running the state to running

for presidential nomination and

serving as ambassador to China in

between, Huntsman’s influence is

extensive and far reaching.

He began his career in public

service as a staff assistant to U.S.

President Ronald Reagan. He has

since served four U.S. presidents

in critical roles around the world,

including ambassador to Singapore,

deputy assistant secretary

of commerce for Asia, U.S. trade

ambassador and most recently U.S.

ambassador to China.

As Utah›s governor, Huntsman

brought about strong economic reforms,

tripled the state’s rainy day

fund and helped bring unemployment

rates to historic lows. During

his tenure, Utah was named the best

managed state in America and best

state in which to do business. In 2008

he was re-elected with a record high

vote and made history by winning

every county in the state.

He currently serves on the

board of Ford Motor Company,

Caterpillar Corporation and the U.S.

Naval Academy Foundation and as

chairman of the Huntsman Cancer

Foundation.

He is a University of Pennsylvania

graduate and holds seven

honorary doctorate degrees.

“Commencement ceremonies

are always such a joyous time,”

Peterson said. “We feel especially

privileged to have someone of

Gov. Huntsman’s prominence and

reputation to take time out of his

demanding schedule to celebrate

this special day with us.”