Lt. Governor celebrates graduation from BYU
Apr 22, 2022, 4:37 PM | Updated: Jun 20, 2022, 1:47 pm
(Office of the Lt. Governor)
(Office of the Lt. Governor)
PROVO, Utah— One of the many college graduates yesterday was a familiar face to Utahns: Lieutenant Governor, Deidre Henderson.
Henderson donned a cap and gown down south at the Marriott Center almost three decades after she first enrolled at Brigham Young University.
Henderson finished her bachelor’s degree in history in December 2021.
“There are a lot of women just like me in Utah,” said Lt. Gov. Henderson. “While I set aside college to raise my kids, the fire in me that wanted to finish school never died out. It was humbling, exciting, fulfilling — and frankly really, really hard — to return to BYU. But I hope other Utahns can see that it’s never too late to fulfill your ambitions. In fact, today is a great day to start.”
According to a release, “Lt. Gov. Henderson paused her education at BYU at 18 years old after she met and married her husband, Gabe Henderson. By 28, the pair had five children together. She returned to school full time in 2019.”
Governor Spencer Cox and First Lady Abby Cox also attended the convocation to support Henderson.
(Office of the Lt. Governor)
“Abby and I admire Lt. Gov. Henderson for many reasons, but her return to college shows her tenacity and love of learning,” Gov. Spencer Cox said. “Her educational journey is an inspiration to so many and we congratulate her on completing this life-long goal.”
Henderson was joined at graduation by her son Jimmy, who was also graduating from BYU.
“I feel lucky to work for someone who is committed to this grand idea of life-long learning,” said Jen Robison, the lieutenant governor’s chief of staff. “The lieutenant governor’s passion for education and history carry into her work. It’s a courageous act to return to school as a non-traditional student, but she has inspired her whole team in the process.”
