More than 7,100 graduates of the University of Utah were told Friday morning to go on to build something that will last.

Acclaimed author David McCullough related their accomplishments to that of the first man-made wonder in America — the Brooklyn Bridge — while encouraging every person to take a stroll over it someday.

"It was the moonshot of its time," he said, "the start of the high-rise city in America, but also, in its way, very like the ancient cathedrals of Europe, in that, rising above all else within sight, it was intended, as said, to stand as a testament to the aspirations of the civilization that built it."

The Class of 2009, he said, is part of an "over-ripe, shadowed and uncertain time," with much work to do to yet reach the American ideal.

"Had the American dream been handed to us all in tidy order, all done up with everything set to operate perfectly in perpetuity, we would hardly be the people we are," the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner said. The building of the Brooklyn Bridge was replete with flaws and problems that had to be reworked to make it the structure it is today, much like the course of life for a college graduate, he said.

In a country with more public libraries than McDonald's restaurants, McCullough asked the graduating class to continue supporting America, to learn from its past and to not take the "familiar" things for granted.

"History," McCullough said, "can be a great source of inspiration."

Of the 7,132 graduates, the U. conferred nearly 5,000 bachelor's degrees, along with 1,733 master's and 545 doctorate degrees. Graduates from the state's largest public institution also included a number of juris doctors, doctors of medicine and doctors of pharmacy.

"You are the best and the brightest," U. President Michael K. Young said, adding there are "limitless possibilities that still shine in your eyes."

McCullough received an honorary degree from the U. for his accomplishments in the field of narrative history. Other degrees were awarded to Carol M. Fay, James L. Macfarlane, Peter D. Meldrum and Marva M. Warnock, all Utahns who have made significant contributions to the community, as well as to the institution.

In attendance at the commencement ceremony were U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, both R-Utah, and Utah Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert, members of the state Board of Regents and the U. Board of Trustees.

"My education here changed everything for me," said student speaker and graduate Brittany Anne Gadbury, who referred to her experience at the U. as a "workshop where my observations, my deconstructions, my projects, my inquiries, my ideas were awaited. Day by day, I made the choice to either stretch or ease myself socially, academically and intellectually."

Joseph Engh, a computer-science graduate from Taylorsville, said he was excited the milestone day had come, but that it would lead to more work. He said he was inspired by McCullough to read more history books in his post-higher-education life.

"I think we can learn from the past. We're all much the same today as we once were," Engh said.

McCullough did ask the grads to read more history, but he ended his presentation with an admonition to not only walk the Brooklyn Bridge, but "wherever you go in your travels to come, and I'm sure you will go far, before checking out of a hotel or motel, be sure to tip the maid."

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