Exemplary Engaged Learning Student
Stephen Wickhamshire
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
With a bachelor’s in political science, two minor degrees and an internship through the President’s Office under his belt, Stephen Wickhamshire feels better prepared for life beyond UVU.
“My major was good for thinking about things critically,” Wickhamshire said. “I learned some important skills in writing and how to look at situations in a different way.”
Wickhamshire intially planned to transfer to another university, but after joining the track team and exploring a variety of classes, he enjoyed UVU too much to leave.
He plans to earn a graduate degree, after which he hopes to one day coach at a high school.
Exemplary Engaged Learning Student
Keirashae Sloan Scholz
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Life did little to slow down Keirashae Sloan Scholz from earning a degree in Behavioral Science.
Crediting mostly her foster mother’s support for caring for her son while she took, evening, weekend and online courses, Scholz praises the encouragement she received from UVU as well.
“I had every odd against me: female, raised in poverty, married with a child, and disabled; I should have never made it,” Scholz said. “Academic success is very important to this university, but considering they are a non-traditional school, I think they embraced how ‘non-traditional’ I was.”
Sholz intends to earn a Master’s in Social Work or in Education at Brigham Young University.
BS Valedictorian
Jacob Fox
BS in Behavioral Science
[Question] Was it your intention to be Valedictorian or did it just happen?
[Answer] It just happened. I get a little OCD about some things, like straightening pizza boxes at my first job, and getting A’s became one of those obsessions.
[Question] If five years from now your parent, sibling, and friend were interviewed for a success story on you for the local newspaper, what would you want them to say about you?
[Answer] I would want them to say whatever they believed was true. It would be very gratifying, however, to hear that I had become a good parent and spouse in spite of not having a positive role model in this area.
[Question] Who has been your mentor/example? Someone on campus you talked to frequently, someone who represented an ideal, a friend who pushed you to keep going, a parent/family member who loved and helped you?
[Answer] My wife has been a great example in doing the right thing regardless of personal wants and calling me out when I would try to make justifications. Dave Chandler, an adjunct instructor, was a powerful example of how someone can overcome personal setbacks and become great in spite of them.
AS Valedictorian
William Bates
AS in History and Political Science
[Question] Graduate school or workforce? Or other?
[Answer] Neither. I’m going to stay here to get my bachelor’s in history and political science, just continue on with my education.
[Question] Was it your intention to be Valedictorian or did it just happen?
[Answer] It actually caught me out of the blue. The associate’s was just something along the way to getting my bachelor’s, but since [the College of Humanities and Social Sciences] gave me the news that I was the valedictorian and asked if I could give a speech at commencement, I said yes.
[Question] Who has been your mentor/example? Someone on campus you talked to frequently, someone who represented an ideal, a friend who pushed you to keep going, a parent/family member who loved and helped you?
[Answer] My mother. I don’t want to say she always pushed education, but she’s always told me at a young age that education was important. I graduated high school never thinking anything else but getting a bachelor’s degree; it was never a thought ‘not’ to. But once I got into education, it was like it fed on itself. I liked it so much I never saw myself doing anything else. I’m enjoying myself so much, this is what I want to do.
