SALT LAKE CITY (April 8, 2025) — Ensign College will hold its 138th Commencement exercises in the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. For more than 130 years, the College has honored graduating students who are prepared to enter the workforce with job-ready skills and experience. More certificates and degrees will be awarded than ever before in the history of Ensign College, with 2,589 awards conferred upon 1,686 graduates—1,205 of which are online students through a partnership with BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
Speaking to this year's graduates will be Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Michael J. Christensen, Director of Budgets and Administration of the Church Educational System; President Bruce C. Kusch, 13th president of Ensign College; and graduates Moroni Gaona Villanueva and Emily Roberts.
Elder Kyle S. McKay was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah North Area. He is the Church Historian and Recorder and Executive Director of the Church History Department. He also serves on the Scriptures Committee. Elder McKay received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Brigham Young University in 1984. In 1987 he received a juris doctor degree from Brigham Young University. From 1987 to 2018 Elder McKay practiced law in Oregon and Utah.
Moroni Gaona Villanueva, a Bachelor of Applied Science graduate in Finance from Veracruz, Mexico, began his journey at Ensign College seven years ago. Now the father of three, he will reflect on the long path he and his family have walked together and remind graduates that education is not just about earning a degree; it’s about preparing to make a difference. “What we do with our professional careers from this day forward will be a reflection of our discipleship.”
Emily Roberts, an Associate of Applied Science graduate in Interior Design from Bountiful, Utah, followed a series of spiritual impressions that led her to Ensign College and eventually to her dream job designing temples. Guided by a desire to serve God, she pursued her studies with purpose and found strength in the example of her peers. “I love the tenacity, grit, humility, and pure hustle I have witnessed at Ensign College.” She will encourage graduates to embrace their discipleship and “let [their] light shine” as “capable and trusted of disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Audience members are asked to be seated in the Tabernacle by 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Additionally, a live broadcast will be streamed for those who are not able to attend in person. The broadcast will be translated into Spanish and Portuguese.
A link to view the broadcast of the Commencement exercises is available on the Ensign College homepage. An email will also be sent to graduates containing the link, which can then be forwarded to loved ones for viewing.
About Ensign College
Founded in 1886 and located at the Triad Center in downtown Salt Lake City, Ensign College is a private school within the Church Educational System operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Offering professional certificates, associate degrees, and a limited number of bachelor’s degrees, the school’s mission is to develop capable and trusted disciples of Jesus Christ. Ensign College prepares students with hands-on experience, job skills, and industry networking, enabling them to begin successful careers. The college serves campus-based students along the Wasatch Front as well as online students from around the globe. The school’s unique “deep learning” curriculum, championed by college President Bruce C. Kusch (2017– ), fosters within students the capability, competence, and confidence to enter the workplace and become self-reliant.
Media Contact
Kirk Rawlins
Director of Marketing and Communications
Ensign College
95 N 300 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
385-266-0427
krawlins@ensign.edu
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