Founder of IT Cosmetics, bestselling author, and first-generation college graduate Jamie Kern Lima counseled Utah Valley University’s Class of 2024 to redefine rejection and use individual uniqueness to fuel self-worth during her keynote address at UVU’s commencement ceremony on May 2 at the UCCU Center on UVU’s Orem Campus.

"Imagine what you would do if you had no fear of rejection or failure,” Lima said. “Self-doubt and fear of rejection or failure will kill more dreams than almost anything else. And when you change your relationship with rejection, you change your entire life."

In her address, Lima recounted her journey from news anchor to entrepreneur who started IT Cosmetics in her living room and sold it to L’Oréal for $1.2 billion, becoming the first woman to serve as CEO of a L’Oréal brand in the process. She told students how she had to overcome repeated rejections, including dismissals based on her size and skin condition, and her own self-doubt to achieve her dreams.

"When it comes to your goals and dreams, it’s so important not to let anyone else's doubt about you turn into doubt in your own head,” Lima said. “Someone else’s doubt about you is no indication of your potential success.”

Lima read a poem during her remarks that shared a title with one of her repeated bits of advice: “You’re not crazy; you’re just first.” She reminded the Class of 2024 and attendees that each one of them is “first” — the first person to ever experience life in their own unique way.

“Your authenticity is your superpower,” she said. "Embracing who you truly are is key to building self-worth. And this impacts everything in life because, in life, we don’t become what we want — we become what we believe we’re worthy of."

Overcoming doubt and seizing life’s opportunities proved to be a theme of the evening’s ceremony. UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez counseled graduates to embrace life, love themselves, and treasure their relationships with loved ones.

President Tuminez referenced a quote from French Renaissance philosopher Michel de Montaigne: “The continuous work of our life is to build death.” Because the end is already known, she said, we must take advantage of life while we have it.

"Every day you are alive, be curious and grateful,” she said.

Sharing her personal experience seeing auroras in the night sky in Finland with her son, President Tuminez spoke of the joy she felt at being alive.

"I have noticed that loving myself is often easiest when I’m in nature,” she said. “Like the trees and the grass and the sky and the stars, I am life. I belong on this earth. I am part of a whole fabric of love and magic that is never-ending."

President Tuminez expressed emotion as she mentioned the family members and loved ones she has lost, and that while she is grateful for the time she had with them, she still wished for more.

"Graduates, as you move on to your next adventure, please remember to live while you are alive, love yourself, and treasure your relationships,” she said. “Remember that UVU is always a place for you."

UVU Student Body President Zac Whitlock encouraged his classmates to be proud of their achievements and not limit themselves.

"If you have ever been doubted or doubted yourself, now is the time, armed with knowledge and experience, to seize the day,” Whitlock said. “And let the world know who you are, because what you Wolverines do today will become tomorrow’s news."

Delivering her remarks in both English and Spanish, Class of 2024 student representative Irina Sofia Salazar Barton spoke about the potential each graduate shares because of the spirit they experienced at UVU.

“Remember, no matter where life takes us, UVU will always be a place for us — a place where we became who we are meant to be," Barton said.

Lima also received an honorary doctorate of business during the evening’s ceremony. Other honorary degree recipients included business leader and former UVU trustee Wilford W. Clyde, who also received an honorary doctorate of business; and Ronald D. “Ronnie” Price, former Utah Valley basketball star and NBA athlete, who received an honorary doctorate of the university.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox addressed the UVU Class of 2024 via a video message. “Each of you is remarkable,” Governor Cox said. “You are the future of the great state of Utah. Armed with an outstanding education, you are ready to apply your knowledge and talents to make a difference in the world.”

UVU’s Class of 2024 includes 10,197 graduates receiving a total of 12,499 degrees and certificates. More than a third of this year’s class are first-generation students, and more than 80% are from Utah.

Convocation ceremonies for UVU’s individual colleges and schools were scheduled for May 2-3 at locations across UVU’s Orem Campus.