Listen to heart, guv tells Dixie grads

ST. GEORGE — More than 1,000 Dixie State College graduates were urged Friday by Utah's governor to listen to their hearts as well as their brains as they choose their paths in life.

"Don't forget to dream," said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who received an honorary doctorate of humanities degree from the college. "It sounds simple, and it's meant to be simple. It's frustrating to this governor to hear people in their 40s and 50s say they haven't found what they want to do yet. Decide what your passion is and follow your heart. Don't listen to your brain, it'll talk you out of it every time."

Huntsman also reminded those in attendance that despite the technological advancements prevalent in today's society, "We're still left with human beings who are solving our problems, aren't we?

"When I was in Iraq a month ago, I was reminded in an instant how important human relationships are," he said. "You are embarking on a journey of lifelong learning. You will have five to seven different jobs in the life of your career. You will live in a fast-paced, highly mobile international community. It is in your best interest to be fast on your feet."

Huntsman offered seven points of wisdom for the graduates to mull over as they sat in the darkened Burns Arena on the DSC campus.

"Find a hero. When you find your passion, find your hero that has gone before you," the governor said. "That way, you can avoid some of those pitfalls."

Along with exercising the brain, Huntsman told graduates to exercise other aspects of the human soul, such as honesty, integrity, courage and ethics.

"I want you to promise me you'll learn to love something more than yourself," said Huntsman, recalling the trip he and his wife, Mary Kaye, made to China, where they adopted their youngest daughter, Gracie Mei. "Here was this little abandoned girl in an orphanage, until we were lucky enough to adopt her. She's taught us to love something greater than life itself."

Graduates were also reminded that failure and adversity are facts of life and that they should prepare now to rise above such challenges.

"If you're not expecting it and preparing for it, it will be crippling," said Huntsman. "Failure and adversity will strike a few times in your lives."

The governor's list of advice included being a good listener, working hard and serving others.

"Be teachable, have a strong work ethic, listen and be humble," he said. "Provide service to your fellow human beings. When it is your time to do so, lift others and give them hope."

Huntsman concluded by sharing what he said was his favorite saying: "The greatest exercise for the human heart is reaching down and lifting another up."

Also awarded an honorary doctorate degree of humanities was Russell C. Taylor, a banker and member of the Dixie State College National Advisory Council. The college awarded bachelor's degrees to 125 graduates.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com