Utah business icon Crystal Maggelet, chief executive officer of FJ Management, Inc. and Maverik, told Utah Valley University’s Class of 2025 to develop and embrace resilience as they face life’s challenges during her keynote address at UVU’s commencement ceremony on April 30 in the UCCU Center on UVU’s Orem Campus.

“That’s what resilience is: the ability to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go according to plan,” Maggelet said. “To work toward something better, even when it’s hard. And that’s exactly what you’ve done by being here today.”

Drawing on her personal and professional experience, Maggelet gave examples of resilience and overcoming obstacles, including becoming the first in her family to receive a college degree, along with responding to the challenge of her father’s company verging on bankruptcy.

“There wasn’t time to wait until I felt perfectly ready — I had to move forward anyway,” she said. “There wasn’t time to dwell on fear or uncertainty. We had to act. Some days I got it right. Some days I didn’t. But each morning, I got up and kept going.”

Maggelet noted that today’s graduates face unique challenges, but they are also the beneficiaries and representatives of decades of progress. “Your presence here is proof that momentum exists,” she said. “You’ve earned your place in a complex, imperfect, and still-promising world—and I believe you’ll help shape it for the better.”

Resilience became a theme for the evening, as UVU student body president Mimi Pepper Barney also focused on that concept during her remarks. She praised the Class of 2025 for making it to this point and overcoming the obstacles in their path.

“Maybe you were told this wasn’t for you — that college was for ‘other’ people. But you showed up,” she said. “You kept showing up. And you never gave up. And that’s what matters. This, my beautiful friends, is the UVU story: not perfection but persistence, not privilege but perseverance, not a straight path but a determined one.”

Class of 2025 graduate Francisco Calderon-Mora emphasized the importance of finding success by building connections. He reminded the audience of the value of the friendships forged during their academic experience and counseled them not to lose touch.

“Yes, let’s chase our dreams. Let’s build careers, travel, start families, do exciting things,” he said. “But let’s also text our friends back. Call our grandparents. Apologize when we mess up. Watch silly movies about Minecraft together. Let’s stay connected in a world that often tells us to do otherwise, because those connections are the things that last.”

Utah Governor Spencer Cox congratulated UVU’s Class of 2025 via a video message. “I applaud your achievements, and I’m honored to celebrate this milestone with you,” he said. “You have been armed with an outstanding education. I encourage you to continue to cultivate your talents and apply what you have learned for the betterment of your communities.”

The absence of UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, due to the recent passing of her husband Jeffrey Tolk, was acknowledged by Vice President Kyle Reyes. “Our hearts have been and continue to be with you, President Tuminez,” he said. “This is her favorite day of the year because, as she reminds us often, this moment is why we do what we do.”

Maggelet also received an honorary doctorate of business during the evening’s ceremony. Other honorary degree recipients included author and organizational leadership expert Roger Connors, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters, and world-renowned economist Baroness Dambisa Moyo of Knightsbridge, who received an honorary doctorate of letters.

The Class of 2025 is the largest in UVU history, with more than 12,000 graduates receiving more than 14,000 total degrees and certificates. More than a third of this year’s graduating class are the first in their immediate families to receive a college degree. About 45% are 25 or older, representing 28 of Utah’s 29 counties, 47 states, and 53 countries. The youngest graduate is 16 years old, and the oldest is 71.

Convocation ceremonies for UVU’s individual colleges and schools were scheduled for May 1-2 at locations across UVU’s Orem Campus.