Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a former student at the University of Utah, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of business administration by the university.
In a video message shown at the April 30 graduation ceremony, Elder Rasband addressed this semester’s 9,506 graduates: “Reduce the bad things in people and add up the good things. If you treat people with love, you will receive blessings in return.”
Elder Rasband, a senior leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was one of three honorary degree recipients at the ceremony, along with Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes, Utah’s No. 1 home builder for more than 30 years. Miche White has been an advocate for athletes with disabilities and access to adaptive athletics throughout his life.
According to the university’s website, University of Utah President Taylor Randall said, “Mr. Clark, Mr. Ronald, and Mr. Miche have built, led, and contributed to ways that strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and transform lives. Driven by purpose, driven by innovation, and committed to service to others, they exemplify the kind of leadership we expect our graduates to carry forward.”
Katie Eccles, chair of the University of Utah Board of Trustees, presented the degree to Elder Rasband on behalf of the university. She said it was “an expression of appreciation for his important support of Utah’s public and private institutions of higher education, his long career as a business leader in his community, and his compassionate work as a faith leader around the world.”
The moment when it comes full circle
For Elder Rasband, this honorary doctorate brings “full circle.”
While in his senior year at the University of Utah, he received an offer from Jon M. Huntsman Sr. to work for Huntsman Container Corporation (now known as Huntsman Corporation). So the elder Rasband dropped out of college in 1976, before earning his degree, and took a senior marketing job at Ohio State.
He then worked for the company for 22 years, including nine years as president and chief operating officer. He was then called as a mission president in 1996 and has served as a General Authority since 2000.
According to the university’s website, as a young adult without a degree, he “felt like I was missing that side of myself,” he said. “Even though I had the great opportunity to go with Jon Huntsman, who is a great entrepreneur, there was always a little sad part of me.”
He added that it is a humbling experience to now receive a degree from his university. “It means a lot that the University of Utah offered me an honorary doctorate, especially since I had to leave when I was so close to earning my degree.”
Elder Rasband has supported Utah’s educational institutions, including serving on the advisory boards of the University’s International Center and BYU’s Marriott School of Business. He also served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Church Education Committee, overseeing all educational facilities and operations.
Looking back, Elder Rasband offered the following advice to graduates: “Love those you are called, assigned, chosen to work with, serve, marry, and raise as children. Love your fellow man. Look for the good in people.”
