TAYLORSVILLE — Salt Lake Community College marked a significant milestone Friday morning, graduating the largest class in its history.

The 4,008 graduates hailed from 35 states and 37 countries and they, plus friends, family and faculty filled the Lifetime Activities Center for the ceremony.

Keynote speaker David G. Thomas, chairman of the SLCC Board of Trustees, gave graduates a new title: "I call you boot-strappers," he said.

Thomas noted that many students had been bogged down by metaphoric mud and had to pull themselves out to arrive at graduation day.

Notwithstanding, he said, "None of us are 100 percent self-made … Don't we all have a duty to watch for would-be boot-strappers?"

Thomas said everyone is a boot-strapper these days, because the world is reinventing itself.

Challenging graduates and all alumni to donate to the college so that tuition can be more affordable for all, he described SLCC as the premier community college in the nation. That's because it is innovative, nimble and flexible, he said.

Brian Lee Anderson Jr., one of two student speakers, stressed the importance of dreaming. "I've never stopped dreaming, and dreams can come true," he said.

He also said no graduation is complete without gratitude and that SLCC transforms students from good to great.

Louis Gakumba, from Rwanda, said he now wants to make sure his younger brothers and sisters overseas receive an education. He spoke of his trials obtaining a student visa to come to the United States, after being denied three times.

"Coming to America has taught me more than I could ever imagine," he said.

Gakumba joked about his difficulties in being able to cross busy roads on foot, especially Bangerter Highway.

"May we see ourselves climbing a ladder of hope," he said.

Andrew Nelson, SLCC student-body president, urged graduates to be risk-takers. He also said, "SLCC is better than about everyone gives us credit for."

Honorary doctorate degrees were presented to John H. Tempest III and Richard W. Schanz.

Alexander Izrailevsky of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, David James of the School of Applied Technology and Mary Jane Keleher of the math department were recognized as the distinguished full-time faculty award winners. Robert Young from the School of Business received the distinguished faculty award for adjunct faculty.

The English department's Jason Pickavance was honored as the 2010 distinguished faculty lecturer. Paul Cardall and Dan Young received distinguished alumni awards.

E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com