SUU Graduation

Well we did it! We finally graduated from college. Both of us got a Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. I did it Magna Cum Laude (which I guess means that I had pretty good grades). The day was made even more special because the keynote speaker at the morning commencement exercises was President Thomas S. Monson of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! He gave the most amazing speech about learning from the past, preparing for the future, and living in the present. It was a very humbling experience to be so close to the prophet and to hear him speak to us on such a personal level. We feel so privileged to have the opportunities that we have had while at SUU. We feel that we did get a quality education and that we built many lasting friendships with the faculty and with our peers. We were very close to many teachers at SUU and we will miss our interactions with them. It will be strange not to head back to the halls of the Science building come fall. The school is actually adding on to the current science building so after this summer it will no longer be the way we remember it. We had a lot of stress and frustrations over the years but also a lot of joy and rewards because of our diligent efforts. We will definately miss the blooming trees along the sidewalk of the science building and the beautiful aroma they gave off. The campus truly was beautiful and we were very lucky to live in such a magnificent part of the world. We are moving on to bigger and better things and are looking forward to what the future has in store for us but there will always be a special place in our hearts for our alma mader Southern Utah University!! GO T-BIRDS!
After graduation Rick and Stephanie had a great BBQ at their house and so many of our close friends and family came from near and far to be there for us. They were all so supportive and helpful to us and we feel so blessed to have the families that we have. There was good food and good company and we had so much fun. Thanks Mom and Dad Carpenter for the fun night!
We also just want to thank everyone who came to celebrate this important day with us. To our parents, thank you so much for all your sacrifices, love, support, and friendship as we were working towards this moment, we could not have done it without you! We love you so much!


this is our most favorite teacher, Rachel Smetanka. She is the most amazing person and we love her!


This is us with my family right after we graduated! (Tess, My daddy, Mama, me, Josh, and Grandma Macky(my dad's mom).


Here we are with Josh's 2 grandmas, Grandma Noza(stephanie's mom) and Grandma Carol(Rick's mom)


here I am with the Dean of the College of Science, Robert Eves, and one of the SUU trustees getting my diploma.


Josh shaking hands with the trustee after getting his diploma.


(I have lots of cool pictures but for some reason it won't let me upload them so sorry its boring!)