POCATELLO — Speaking from the podium at spring commencement ceremonies, Idaho State Alumni Donell Morgan told graduates he remembered being where they are today.

“When I came to ISU, I didn’t have it all figured out. I had a scholarship, a few suitcases and a dream — like many of you did when you first got here. I thought I knew where I was going. I thought purpose was a destination,” he said. “But let me tell you what I’ve learned since then. Purpose isn’t something you stumble onto. It’s something you build: one choice, one experience, one relationship at a time.”

Morgan, executive director at Elevate Oregon and youth development advocate, spoke at the commencement ceremonies, along with student speaker Scott Bouman.

More than 2,000 graduates were honored at Saturday’s Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies. The institutional reader was Geoffrey Bennett. Idaho State University President Robert Wagner conferred the degrees. Medicine Thunder Drum Group and dancers Hunter, Wren and Cassie Osborne and Raliah Marshall offered an honor song for graduates.

“You graduates are not here by chance, or coincidence,” Wagner said. “You are here because of your hard work, grit and tenacity. I also know that many of you did not arrive at this point alone, but with the help and companionship of others along the way. Today, we celebrate you and them. So, for all of you, take a moment and enjoy the achievement. You did this.”

Bouman told graduates that his journey has been one of transformation.

“As a non-traditional, first-generation international student returning to school after more than 20 years, I had to let go of comfort and embrace fear. That took courage,” he said. “You see, courage is not the absence of fear. It’s moving forward, despite it.”