2022 Convocation Distinguished Alum
Doug Bowser
Congratulations to this incredible 2022 graduating class! It’s also an honor to speak to you, your families, the faculty, and staff here tonight.
Last night at Commencement I shared my thoughts about the ways life can be like a video game. I mentioned that I didn’t set out looking to find the College of Humanities and a communications degree, but that instead, after some exploration, the College of Humanities and communications became my light switch. I’d like to expand on that—and how this college has benefited me—and perhaps more importantly—will benefit you.
I’ve always been curious about the world—someone less inclined to learn by memorizing facts and figures, and more attracted to conceptual learning. I found it far more interesting to understand the why behind things. Why people held certain beliefs about a given subject. That’s what led me to the humanities. I found the ability to understand others, whether through their history or culture, their languages or their beliefs, to be powerful, mind expanding, and often humbling.
What I built during my time here was a way of learning about the world that could take me in any direction—skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communicating effectively, collaborating with others, and understanding the importance of social responsibility, to name just a few. I can still remember classes like Interpersonal Communication, Debate and Creative Writing. No surprise, I still draw from the knowledge and insights those classes brought me today—38 years later!
The skills and self-discipline this college helped me develop became a vital foundation, and new it’s something all of you now have as well and can build on.
My career allowed me to experience a number of disciplines—many I didn’t prepare for or study here at the U. From sales to training, to demand planning and operations, to marketing and PR, and ultimately to the role I am in today. That career path was certainly not vertical. In fact, at times, it was horizontal—many times over! But here is my point. The base I keep referencing coupled with curiosity and the ability to keep learning allowed me to step into new areas, to learn new technical skills and to continuing growing.
And now I’m in video games—at this fascinating crossroads of technology, art, entertainment, and yes, the humanities. The word “humanity” itself lives at a crossroads of sorts. It means “human nature” or “humankind,” but it can also mean “refinement” as well as “kindness” and “being humane to others.” In a world of increasing technological and ethical complexity, social discourse and in recent times, physical separation, the humanities are more important than ever. They’re a bridge across disciplines and ways of thinking, whether you’re grappling with everyday business or politics, or the conversations like I have around video game narratives, character depiction, or advancements in AR, VR, and artificial intelligence. I fundamentally believe the insights and skills that you’ve accrued during your time at this college have never been more important, regardless of the field you go into. I am certain you will find this to be true as you go forward.
Thank you again for this honor and the opportunity for me to spend time with you tonight. As I said last night is it only with the passage of time that I have truly realized how much this university and this college have meant to me. My sincere wish is that someday you will be standing here reflecting on the same.
All the best to you all and thank you.
2022 Convocation Student Speaker
Vivian Lee
Four years ago when I came to the University of Utah I felt like it was a new chapter of my life, where I promised I would be different. I entered college with a concrete plan, I knew what classes to take a semester ahead, what my major was going to be, what I was going to eat for the next day, and what I planned to wear based on the moody weather. I thought I was so sure of what I wanted next and who I wanted to be, but I never would have become who I am today without the rejection I faced on the way.
Rejection is one of the most powerful motivators that we often neglect, when it happens we easily feel defeated with no more open doors. But as they say when one door closes another door opens, and that’s exactly it. It isn’t until our rose-tinted glasses get shattered that we can engage with the variety of choices approaching us, no matter how long it takes. These new perspectives mold our future, they show us how strong we are,our perseverance, and I hope you are impressed you made it here today.
Rejection has shined a light on new opportunities and the pandemic changed so many of our plans. In spring 2020 I had tickets to Japan with the university’s debate team, when it got canceled I was distraught to say the least. Japan shut down, the U cut travel, and we went on lockdown. During lockdown, I like many others spent the first few weeks in confusion, I wasn’t confident of what to do or how to move on so I started picking up random hobbies like making stickers, knitting hats, or playing animal crossing. (Thanks, Doug!) But amidst all of this, we also grew.
We are full of so many unique skills, we’ve prepared for this day and learned the ropes to get here. Whether you’re part of business, art, gaming, or whatever your major is, we as the humanities tie it all together.
The purpose of communication is evergrowing, but it is the root of all our solutions alongside our issues. We have the unique privilege of bridging the gap between our friends, peers, families, and
everyone here today. The humanities is now a necessary field for our critical dialogue to safely continue.
Although we will be met with opposition and we won’t always agree on how to do things, we are provided with the power skills necessary to compromise and find common ground. The obstacles that forced us to change our plans weren’t with ill intent as we’d like to believe but we continued to adapt and find new ways to exist.
Maya Angelou states “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
I faced more rejection than I can count, and each one created a devastating blow, however, it was the little wins that got me through the day. Making breakfast, getting out of bed before noon, or finishing my homework on time.
I fulfilled my promise, I am a different person than I was when I started, and we will continue to change and grow. This chapter of our lives isn’t coming to a close, and we can reject the notion of happy ever afters. Shut the door on doubt or insecurities today we walk away with a recognition of our expertise to combat the rejection of our past.
We should find joy in the accomplishments that get us through every day because that’s the big picture we are working towards. We are doing so much better than we think we are, we have to give ourselves some credit, and regain the confidence I know we all deserve, and for those that have it, flaunt it.
So feel secure in your growth and see that you have changed because today is proof of that. While I have anxiety and fear of what’s going on, I have this feeling of ambiguous loss, despite there being nothing tangible to grieve. Getting our degree in our hands won’t give us the closure we are looking for, because there is no such thing as closure, and this isn’t our end. We will continue to be scholars, students, teachers, and friends but most importantly today, we are graduates.
Our 2022 Convocation Speakers
2022 CONVOCATION DISTINGUISHED ALUM
Doug Bowser
Congratulations to this incredible 2022 graduating class! It’s also an honor to speak to you, your families, the faculty, and staff here tonight.
Last night at Commencement I shared my thoughts about the ways life can be like a video game. I mentioned that I didn’t set out looking to find the College of Humanities and a communications degree, but that instead, after some exploration, the College of Humanities and communications became my light switch. I’d like to expand on that—and how this college has benefited me—and perhaps more importantly—will benefit you.
I’ve always been curious about the world—someone less inclined to learn by memorizing facts and figures, and more attracted to conceptual learning. I found it far more interesting to understand the why behind things. Why people held certain beliefs about a given subject. That’s what led me to the humanities. I found the ability to understand others, whether through their history or culture, their languages or their beliefs, to be powerful, mind expanding, and often humbling.
What I built during my time here was a way of learning about the world that could take me in any direction—skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communicating effectively, collaborating with others, and understanding the importance of social responsibility, to name just a few. I can still remember classes like Interpersonal Communication, Debate and Creative Writing. No surprise, I still draw from the knowledge and insights those classes brought me today—38 years later!
The skills and self-discipline this college helped me develop became a vital foundation, and new it’s something all of you now have as well and can build on.
My career allowed me to experience a number of disciplines—many I didn’t prepare for or study here at the U. From sales to training, to demand planning and operations, to marketing and PR, and ultimately to the role I am in today. That career path was certainly not vertical. In fact, at times, it was horizontal—many times over! But here is my point. The base I keep referencing coupled with curiosity and the ability to keep learning allowed me to step into new areas, to learn new technical skills and to continuing growing.
And now I’m in video games—at this fascinating crossroads of technology, art, entertainment, and yes, the humanities. The word “humanity” itself lives at a crossroads of sorts. It means “human nature” or “humankind,” but it can also mean “refinement” as well as “kindness” and “being humane to others.” In a world of increasing technological and ethical complexity, social discourse and in recent times, physical separation, the humanities are more important than ever. They’re a bridge across disciplines and ways of thinking, whether you’re grappling with everyday business or politics, or the conversations like I have around video game narratives, character depiction, or advancements in AR, VR, and artificial intelligence. I fundamentally believe the insights and skills that you’ve accrued during your time at this college have never been more important, regardless of the field you go into. I am certain you will find this to be true as you go forward.
Thank you again for this honor and the opportunity for me to spend time with you tonight. As I said last night is it only with the passage of time that I have truly realized how much this university and this college have meant to me. My sincere wish is that someday you will be standing here reflecting on the same.
All the best to you all and thank you.
2022 Convocation Distinguished Alum
Vivian
Lee
Four years ago when I came to the University of Utah I felt like it was a new chapter of my life, where I promised I would be different. I entered college with a concrete plan, I knew what classes to take a semester ahead, what my major was going to be, what I was going to eat for the next day, and what I planned to wear based on the moody weather. I thought I was so sure of what I wanted next and who I wanted to be, but I never would have become who I am today without the rejection I faced on the way.
Rejection is one of the most powerful motivators that we often neglect, when it happens we easily feel defeated with no more open doors. But as they say when one door closes another door opens, and that’s exactly it. It isn’t until our rose-tinted glasses get shattered that we can engage with the variety of choices approaching us, no matter how long it takes. These new perspectives mold our future, they show us how strong we are,our perseverance, and I hope you are impressed you made it here today.
Rejection has shined a light on new opportunities and the pandemic changed so many of our plans. In spring 2020 I had tickets to Japan with the university’s debate team, when it got canceled I was distraught to say the least. Japan shut down, the U cut travel, and we went on lockdown. During lockdown, I like many others spent the first few weeks in confusion, I wasn’t confident of what to do or how to move on so I started picking up random hobbies like making stickers, knitting hats, or playing animal crossing. (Thanks, Doug!) But amidst all of this, we also grew.
We are full of so many unique skills, we’ve prepared for this day and learned the ropes to get here. Whether you’re part of business, art, gaming, or whatever your major is, we as the humanities tie it all together.
The purpose of communication is evergrowing, but it is the root of all our solutions alongside our issues. We have the unique privilege of bridging the gap between our friends, peers, families, and
everyone here today. The humanities is now a necessary field for our critical dialogue to safely continue.
Although we will be met with opposition and we won’t always agree on how to do things, we are provided with the power skills necessary to compromise and find common ground. The obstacles that forced us to change our plans weren’t with ill intent as we’d like to believe but we continued to adapt and find new ways to exist.
Maya Angelou states “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
I faced more rejection than I can count, and each one created a devastating blow, however, it was the little wins that got me through the day. Making breakfast, getting out of bed before noon, or finishing my homework on time.
I fulfilled my promise, I am a different person than I was when I started, and we will continue to change and grow. This chapter of our lives isn’t coming to a close, and we can reject the notion of happy ever afters. Shut the door on doubt or insecurities today we walk away with a recognition of our expertise to combat the rejection of our past.
We should find joy in the accomplishments that get us through every day because that’s the big picture we are working towards. We are doing so much better than we think we are, we have to give ourselves some credit, and regain the confidence I know we all deserve, and for those that have it, flaunt it.
So feel secure in your growth and see that you have changed because today is proof of that. While I have anxiety and fear of what’s going on, I have this feeling of ambiguous loss, despite there being nothing tangible to grieve. Getting our degree in our hands won’t give us the closure we are looking for, because there is no such thing as closure, and this isn’t our end. We will continue to be scholars, students, teachers, and friends but most importantly today, we are graduates.