ST. GEORGE — Dixie State College awarded 919 degrees to its largest graduating class ever Friday evening, an increase of 14 percent over the previous year.

Interim President Stephen Nadauld welcomed friends and family of the graduates to the college's 97th commencement exercises held in the Avenna Center Burns Arena.

The audience cheered, clapped and shouted the names of many of those receiving the 153 baccalaureate degrees awarded. Another 766 associate degrees were also handed out, along with 244 vocational and technical certificates.

Retired KSL news anchor Dick Nourse delivered the commencement address, showering his audience with lessons learned during his 43 years as a reporter with the Salt Lake City television station.

"It is a challenge to know what I could say to you to help you on the road to fulfill your dreams," said Nourse at the beginning of his remarks. "I have found in life that success is not a goal, it's a journey."

The college recently named the college's Center for New Media after the popular newsman. Nourse said he plans on being involved in the lives of students at Dixie State, both as an advisor to the center named after him and by sharing his experiences in a classroom setting.

"For the most part, your learning is just beginning," Nourse told the graduates as he began to review the top news stories of the past few decades including the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and the political upheaval around the globe at that time.

"Don't those news stories sound a little like today's news stories?" he asked. "There are so many similarities to our present situation."

Nourse urged the graduates to "learn from your past.

"If you have any direct influence at all, and many of you will, be wary of history repeating itself," he said. "Each of us does have some influence over something. It's the question of 'what will my story be, what will your story be?'"

There is "good news" in each person, Nourse said as he urged his audience to "write our own stories, our own piece of good news."

Everyone has great potential, he added; pointing out that Utahns are known for their giving, volunteer spirit.

"I feel the greatest reason we are on the earth is to help one another," Nourse said. "You will be called on at one point to give all you can give, be that volunteer. That's my challenge to you today as you leave Dixie State College. Write your own story. Don't wait another minute. Embrace everything life has to offer."

An honorary doctorate degree was awarded to Nourse, with Distinguished Citizens awards going to Dr. Michael Anderson, Ray Carpenter, Dr. Scott Parry, Edna Mae Miller Sampson and Darcy A. Stewart.

Of the 153 four-year degrees awarded, 113 came from Dixie State's four-year programs — business administration (50), elementary education (43), and computer and information technology (20). The college also awarded its first ever four-year degrees in four other programs; accounting, English, biology and nursing.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com