BYU NewsNet - Graduates Reminded to Always Love Learning and Service

By ERICA TEICHERT

The Marriott Center filled with the sound of chairs thumping as more than 5,000 students stood. The room echoed as students, parents, teachers and friends whooped and cheered.

Thursday marked the end of 6,276 college careers as graduates braved snow and wind during the procession to commencement; 4,583 of these students finished classes this semester with the others finishing last December.

“Of all the many, many lines you have stood in while at BYU, the line you formed to come into the Marriott Center today has to be the most meaningful line thus far in your life,” BYU Alumni President Bruce L. Olsen said in his address. “Your line now leads you away from your alma mater as you leave this phase of your education behind.”

However, all speakers agreed that the academic aspect of a BYU education is only part of the overall equation. Through religion courses, regular church attendance and interaction with fellow students and professors, all graduates have had the opportunity to grow spiritually, President Cecil O. Samuelson said.

Matthew N. Daley, the student speaker at commencement, looked at his wife’s life of service as an example of the skills BYU provides students to help others.

“Ultimately a BYU education isn’t about what it can do for us,” Daley said. “The real question is: How can the skills and training received at BYU bless the lives of those around us?”

Elder David A. Bednar advised students to maintain a love of learning in this ever-changing world and remember who and what they represent.

“Remember that you represent the Savior,” Elder Bednar said. “Remember that you represent your family. Remember that you represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"And now as you graduate from Brigham Young University may I add one more item to the list. Remember that you represent Brigham Young University.”

Elder Bednar looked at the school’s mottos that greet visitors as they drive onto campus: enter to learn, go forth to serve. Elder Bednar adapted these statements to “enter to learn to love learning and to serve; go forth to continue learning and serving” to remind students of how important these principles are.

“Learning to love learning is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ, is vital to our ongoing spiritual and personal development and is an absolute necessity in the world in which we do now and will yet live, serve and work,” Elder Bednar said.