At the 2024 commencement ceremony on Thursday, April 25, more than 7,100 students were honored for completing higher degrees at Brigham Young University.
Elder Gong
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the 2024 BYU graduating class, expressing gratitude for the journey shared and acknowledging the presence of distinguished guests.
"As a memorable fixed point in time and space, BYU commencement can be a spiritual benchmark. Commencement invites us to look back in gratitude and appreciation. Commencement also invites us to look forward in anticipation and exploration."
Elder Gong expressed three commencement hopes and invitations for the graduating class: to reflect on their BYU experiences with gratitude, to continue becoming their truest selves and to focus on their spiritual identity and commitment to service.
"In our often noisy, cluttered, unsettled world, please continue to focus on that which does not change — who we are spiritually (spiritual identity), whose we are (covenant belonging) and how we use our God-given agency to continue discovering and becoming our best BYU self."
Concluding his address with a call to action, Elder Gong encouraged graduates to write the best chapters of their lives filled with meaningful service, joy and a strong connection to God and their community.
“Someday I hope you will come again, as I have done today, to this beautiful campus. Whether you come in person or in memory, may you preserve the best of your BYU experiences.”
President Reese
President C. Shane Reese encouraged graduates to continue developing the courage to be different and strengthening their resolve as disciples of Jesus Christ.
"In the parlance of statisticians, BYU is an outlier in the modern higher education landscape. We proudly and energetically embrace our charge from prophets and apostles to dare to be different and to 'become the BYU of prophecy.'"
Having the courage to be different at BYU is about striving to become a Christ-centered, prophetically directed university rather than merely engaging in unconventional activities, said President Reese.
"The courage to be different isn’t really about singing hymns in tunnels, or chugging chocolate milk by the gallon while eating Cougar Tails by the yard — no, it’s about being united in our quest to become the Christ-centered, prophetically directed university of destiny and promise."
President Reese noted that the graduates embody BYU’s mission to forge students dedicated to daily discipleship, honoring divine covenants and serving others, with their eternal curriculum only just beginning.
"This eternal curriculum is only just commencing for you graduates," he said.
Honorary doctorate recipient
During this year's commencement address, Professor Dr. Vishwanath D. Karad, founder and president of MIT World Peace University, reflected on his previous interactions with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, highlighting the shared principles and values between their traditions and his own Vaishnav-Warkari upbringing.
Establishing a culture of peace in the world will come through education systems that incorporate both faith and secular knowledge, said Professor Karad. He advocated for collaboration among educational institutions worldwide to achieve this shared goal.
"I strongly believe that this common goal can only be achieved by including value-based universal education systems with an appropriate component of science and spirituality in our educational programs all across the world."
BYU alumni president
Hillary Nielsen, president of the BYU Alumni Association, reflected on the pursuit of happiness in today's world. Echoing Nephi's people, who "lived after the manner of happiness," Nielsen underscored our agency over our happiness amidst life's challenges. She emphasized the importance of savoring moments, practicing gratitude, making meaningful connections and engaging in acts of service as pathways to happiness.
Student speaker
Undergraduate speaker Macy West addressed the BYU class of 2024, emphasizing the power of the personal narratives we as individuals tell ourselves and the importance of crafting a life full of stories to be proud of.
West recalled little moments she experienced at BYU, many of which tested her abilities and strength, and how much they meant to her now. She emphasized the privilege of attending an institution that values both scholarly pursuits and Christ-like discipleship, stating, "For each of us, it is a story of growth, accomplishment and overcoming adversity."
Quoting Sister Camille Johnson, West urged graduates to write stories leading them back to their heavenly home, drawing closer to Jesus Christ amid life's adversities. She encouraged each graduate to embrace their power as storytellers and to craft narratives they're proud of as they embark on the next phase of their journey.
