An entire class of graduates overcome unprecedented challenges to earn their college degrees.

The road to graduation is never easy. There are always challenges, unexpected obstacles, and a few hard-earned lessons that pop up along the way. But, for this year’s graduating class of Heritage Eagles, the road to graduation was more than a little bumpy. This is the class that started their academic journey in the midst of a pandemic. Their first two years of college were spent almost entirely online. They had to be more disciplined and creative to study independently, often in less-than-ideal environments where distractions were high and access to the resources they needed limited. There was no campus life. No meeting with their cohort for small group learning over lattes and snack cakes.

Still, they persisted, with knife blade focus on their goals and an understanding that earning their degrees would be life-changing and worth the hard work and sacrifice.

On Saturday, May 11, 198 students celebrated with family and friends and Heritage faculty and staff at the university’s 42nd Commencement. Their accomplishments were made sweeter by the monumental challenges they overcame to make them happen.

This year’s undergraduate address was made by Andrew Martin (B.A., American Indian Studies). Areli Leion (M.I.T., Elementary Education) presented the graduate address. Jim Pigott was scheduled to present the Commencement Address, but an unexpected illness forced him to cancel. Instead, President Andrew Sund spoke, honoring Pigott’s years of dedication to Heritage University and its students.

During the event, 13 students were recognized for their academic and leadership accomplishments. The twelve students who graduated with perfect 4.0 GPAs received the Board of Directors Academic Excellence Award: Karina Delgado, Isai Diaz, Bryawna Fletcher, Kelsey Flores, Jhow Garcia, Briana Garza, Sandy Gonzalez Perez, Marisol Johnson, Amairani Martinez, Tar Mo, Dianne Nunamaker and Sky Silva. Delgado also recieved the President’s Student Award of Distinction, which is presented to an undergraduate with a distinguished record of academic excellence and service to the university. She earned a B.A. in Psychology while studying at the Tri-Cities regional site.

Additionally, Heritage recognized Jennifer Johann (B.A.Ed., Elementary Education, 2004 and M.Ed., Professional Development, 2007) as the Violet Lumley Rau Alumna of the Year.

During a particularly moving portion of the program, Sund awarded Professor Emeritus of Education Ed Rousculp a posthumous honorary doctorate degree. Rousculp passed away in January following a long illness. His career at Heritage spanned more than 30 years. He started as an adjunct instructor, then became the chair of the College of Teacher Education. In 2005 he transitioned to the Director of the Center for Intercultural Learning and Teaching where he stayed until his retirement in 2022. The degree was presented to his wife, Susan Rousculp, and their three sons, Josh, Tom and Sam Rousculp.