Graduating UVU class largest in school history with more than 4k first-generation students

OREM, Utah (ABC4) — More than 12,000 students are graduating from Utah Valley University on Wednesday, marking the largest graduating class in the university’s history.

On April 30, thousands of students will attend commencement ceremonies at the Orem campus, more than a third of which are first-generation graduates. The majority of these graduates — who are the first in their families to graduate from college — earned degrees in health, engineering, technology, and business.

In addition to the first-generation graduates, about 45% of the students are 25 years old or older, meaning a large portion of the graduating class is comprised of nontraditional students. The youngest student graduating this year is 16 years old and the oldest is 71, according to the press release.

“We meet students where they are and guide them toward success,” said Jim Mortensen, UVU acting president. “They are scholars, innovators, and pioneers, with many the first in their families to achieve this milestone. We are proud of our graduates and are confident they will contribute to Utah’s thriving economy.”

UVU officials emphasized that more than 70% of the graduates will be working for highly-rated jobs post-graduation and nearly 75% plan to stay in Utah for the next decade.

This class is the largest yet with over 12,000 students receiving more than 14,000 degrees and certificates campus-wide, according to the university. This is up from last year’s number of 13,480 degrees and certificates granted.

Overall enrollment at the university has increased by 14% over the past five years with more than 46,800 students attending the university as of last year.