CEDAR CITY — Change is inevitable, former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt told the 2004 graduating class at Southern Utah University during Saturday's 105th commencement ceremony held in the Centrum Arena.

"Some changes are momentous, some are undetectable," said Leavitt, a Cedar City native and SUU alumnus. "All changes have one thing in common. Through the transitions (of change), we will learn from them and we will do better."

Leavitt briefly shared with the 1,063 graduates the five lessons he said he has learned since leaving SUU as a graduate himself 26 years ago.

One lesson, he said, actually presented itself to him as he made his way onto campus Saturday morning.

"I am now responsible, as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, for the protection of the environment," said Leavitt, who left the governor's mansion in November for Washington, D.C.

"I will tell you there are chemistry and science teachers here today who are chuckling to themselves and saying, 'I told you one day this stuff would be relevant.' "

Public service has been a way of life for the Leavitts for many years, he noted.

"My first class here was political science with Duane Hinton," Leavitt recalled. "We had a small class. We read, talked and were allowed to disagree. This was during the time when campuses all over America were active in discontent."

Leavitt wondered aloud if that class nurtured in him an appetite to enlist in a life of public service.

Perhaps, he said, in answering his own question. "Politics is the art of human nature. It is blending mankind's most noble and base instincts. Always treat people well and they will look after you later."

Always expect change, Leavitt advised the graduates and overflow audience. "It will make you better," he said.

Utah Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan taught Leavitt another important lesson.

"Always play forward. That's what defines great players and a great team. You must adjust, adapt, move on, recalibrate and try to figure out how to change the course of things," said Leavitt.

The 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics brought another lesson to learn as athletes tried to do their very best, not just win gold medals.

"You are now armed with a diploma. You have the education, you have the opportunity," he said. "Don't ever be afraid to skate the performance of your life."

SUU President Steve Bennion announced the university has renamed an existing center for politics and public service after the state's former governor.

Honorary doctorate degrees were conferred on Leavitt, cancer researcher Dr. Saundra Buys, and Academy Award-winning film producer Gerald R. Molen.

Mickelle E. Shea, an elementary education major from Fruit Heights, gave the student graduation address. She emphasized the compelling need for more people to share their knowledge, talents, skills, money, time and dreams with those who are less fortunate.

"In modern society there is darkness everywhere. We have a concoction of diseases, violence, broken homes, and crimes that threaten society," she said. "We can't run. We can't hide. The jaded among us might ask what our fresh faces and minds can do in a world of perpetual nightfall. There is work to be done and you have the education to begin."

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