OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University will award honorary degrees to a former university president, a former faculty member, and a couple with long-time ties to the campus at the university's 120th commencement December 13 at 2 p.m. in the Dee Events Center.

 The recipients are: Paul H. Thompson of Ogden; Bert W. Winterton of Fruit Heights; and Adele C. and Dale W. Young of Brigham City.

PAUL H. THOMPSON

Thompson will deliver this year’s commencement speech. When Thompson first arrived at Weber College as a freshman in 1958, the school boasted four small buildings and enrolled 2,000 students. Just four months after he returned in 1990 as the school’s 17th president, the college became Weber State University – an institution serving nearly 13,000 students. As he left his presidency in October, the university was finding new ways to make higher education accessible for more than 18,000 students. The campus experienced tremendous growth during his tenure. Thompson led the effort to build strategic community partnerships that continue to benefit the region’s economy and quality of life. He and his wife Carolyn have personally established scholarships and contributed to university programs to benefit students.

BERT W. WINTERTON

When Winterton retired after 30 years teaching at WSU, he had touched the lives of more than 20,000 students. Professor Winterton’s signature heredity course for non-majors was consistently filled to capacity. His students learned from Genetics for Beginners: The Processes of Heredity, a textbook he wrote. Throughout his career he was recognized for his tireless commitment to his students, as evidenced by the numerous teaching awards and honors he received. In 1992, he received the “Outstanding Higher Education Science Educator” award from the Utah Science Teacher’s Association in recognition of his special efforts to aid in the education of Utah’s science teachers. Always committed to education, he served on a statewide Science Coordination Committee for improvement of Utah high school science courses.

ADELE C. and DALE W. YOUNG

Dale Young, a Weber State alumnus, developed new and award-winning chemicals to control insects, weeds and plant diseases during his distinguished career as an agricultural chemist. Adele Young earned her bachelor of science degree in child development and education from Utah State University in 1942. She has taught school in Utah, Iowa, New Jersey and New York. Education is high on the priority list for the Youngs. The couple has “adopted” many children of all ages through their philanthropy. At Weber State University, their generous gift to the Moyes College of Education has funded the Adele C. and Dale W. Young Center for Technology Transfer, a state-of-the-art distance learning center. In addition, the couple has established scholarships and endowments in the Dumke College of Health Professions to assist students pursuing careers in health care.   They have made significant gifts to the Box Elder School District to complete two schools, and the  couple annually awards scholarships to deserving high school seniors and monetary gifts to outstanding teachers.