Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, the first lady of the Navajo Nation, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the Utah State University Blanding 2024 commencement ceremony. The event will take place at San Juan High School in Blanding at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26.
Kristian Olsen, senior associate vice president for USU Blanding and Moab, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host Blackwater-Nygren. Olsen stated that her passion for education and advocacy for the Navajo people will provide an invaluable impact on the graduating class.
Blackwater-Nygren brings a background in law and public service to the ceremony. A former Arizona state representative, she was the youngest lawmaker in that state during her tenure. She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Stanford University and earned a juris doctor from Arizona State University's Sandra Day O’Connor College of May, which included an Indian Law certificate.
In addition to her academic credentials, Blackwater-Nygren is a licensed attorney and serves as an appointed member of the Arizona and New Mexico state task forces for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. Her professional experience includes internships with the Navajo Nation Legislative Branch and the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.
The selection of Blackwater-Nygren is particularly significant given that 70% of the USU Blanding student body is composed of Native American individuals. The university aims to honor and amplify the voices of Indigenous leaders through this event.
During the ceremony, which will be conducted by Olsen, Tylan Dee will serve as the student speaker. Dee is a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies and was recognized as the 2024 USU ITLS Master’s Scholar of the Year.
The commencement ceremony is set to begin at 2 p.m. Further information regarding the schedule for statewide campuses can be found on the university's official commencement website.
