WEST VALLEY — In November of 2002, Lynette Mickelsen went back to school with the goal of completing a bachelor's degree before her 50th birthday.

With the help of the University of Phoenix, she stood before a record number of graduates on Saturday at the E Center and announced that she was receiving a Master of Business Administration — 25 days before that birthday.

The meeting and exceeding of goals is celebrated at every graduation ceremony, but for students at the University of Phoenix, whose average age is 33, graduation means something different. Generally, they're already in a career and their schoolwork replaced time usually spent with spouses, children and grandchildren.

"We're not heading into the work force, we are the work force," Mickelsen said. "We've spent weekends doing homework, missed sporting events and family activities."

Mickelsen is one of 1,075 students who graduated Saturday — the largest ever for the Utah program. Another 209 online only students will graduate this summer. 694 bachelor's degrees and 590 master's were presented; mostly in business, education and counseling.

Darris Howe, director of the Utah campus, believes worries over a recession account for his record enrollment and graduation numbers.

"When the economy goes south a little bit people begin looking at their situation asking, 'Do I have the skills I need, how's my job situation?' and now is a great time to get that schooling," he said.

Graduate David Gordon of North Ogden had other motivations: He thought he was dying. Gordon was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago, and one of his final goals was to pursue a dream he had of helping children by obtaining a master's degree in school counseling. He met an assistant superintendant of Weber School District on a trip, and talking to her about the field was a "life-changing moment," he said.

His daughter Britney graduated with a degree in education in 2007 from Winthrop University in South Carolina and moved back home to teach the fifth grade at St. Joseph's in Ogden. She decided to go for a master's herself in curriculum and instruction and doubled her class load in order to graduate at the same time as her dad, "if he made it," she explained.

David Gordon's original diagnosis was then deemed incorrect, and doctors said he had a less serious lung disease. Recently he was given a clean bill of health, and on Saturday he celebrated with a cap and gown and his daughter at his side.

Going to school together at the University of Phoenix was "really good," Britney said, because her father motivated her and kept her going. The two were often on campus together, with one working in a lab while the other was in class. The two sitting together working on their respective laptops was a common picture at home. Britney said her mom would feel a little left out when the two would break into a deep discussion on current trends in education.

David Gordon is now applying to be a school counselor within the Weber and Davis school districts and will soon begin a new career helping children and advising them not to take life for granted.

The Gordons are already excited about teaching others, but Mark Cameron, regional vice president, encouraged all the graduates to take their new skills and knowledge back to their workplaces and enrich the lives and environment around them.

"During your education you're focus has been on you. Now you must focus on others and find ways to give back," he said.

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E-mail: akirk@desnews.com