Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. speaks at University of Utah graduation

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Ambassador to China and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. told University of Utah graduates on Friday that it is OK to get a few F's in life.

His F's, however, include finding yourself, finding a cause, facing failure, finding love and finding meaning in life, and he said they are steps to a more fulfilling life.

"You need direction — not just a profession but a pathway in life that is uniquely yours," said Huntsman, who was appointed as a U.S. diplomat a year ago. He added an admonition to "follow your heart." The Huntsman family, he said, although encouraged by his grandfather to all become educators, delved into very different fields of business and politics, resulting in various forms of success.

"The world you step into should be cause for excitement, not fear; anticipation, not anxiety," he said. "You now will begin to take ownership and responsibility for our future. And what you discover may surprise you: Life at all levels still requires the human touch, displays of goodness, selflessness, tolerance and compassion that make this world beautiful if you're fortunate enough to find it, and I hope you do."

Huntsman, who received an honorary degree from the U. and had the conference center at the James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building named after him Friday, said the best attribute of all is to have good judgment. Huntsman briefly attended the U. before graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.

Of the more than 7,030 diplomas conferred at the U. on Friday, nearly 2,000 received master's and doctorate degrees, and graduates, who ranged in age from 18 to 74, represented almost all of the state of Utah and all 50 states, as well as 76 countries. U. President Michael K. Young said the culmination of so many unique educational experiences is an example of "the transformative power of education."

"These young men and women represent the best and the brightest among us," he said, calling the scores of graduates "shining stars in caps and gowns."

Representing the non-traditional side of the U., a mother who returned to school after nearly 30 years spoke to the crowd, affirming that different paths of all the students led to the same achievement.

"Life does not always go as planned," said Jody White Farley, who has watched two of her children graduate from the U. prior to her own commencement.