Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson dons cap and gown at BYU convocation ceremony

PROVO (April 22, 2022) – Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson donned a cap and gown today at the Marriott Center – nearly three decades after she first enrolled at Brigham Young University. 

The convocation ceremony for the College of Family, Home & Social Sciences at BYU recognized students who graduated within the 2021-22 academic year, including Utah’s lieutenant governor. Lt. Gov. Henderson finished her bachelor’s degree in history this past December.

“There are a lot of women just like me in Utah,” Lt. Gov. Henderson said. “While I set aside college to raise my kids, the fire in me that wanted to finish school never died out. It was humbling, exciting, fulfilling — and frankly really, really hard — to return to BYU. But I hope other Utahns can see that it’s never too late to fulfill your ambitions. In fact, today is a great day to start.”

The governor and first lady attended the convocation on Friday in a show of support.

“Abby and I admire Lt. Gov. Henderson for many reasons, but her return to college shows her tenacity and love of learning,” Gov. Spencer Cox said. “Her educational journey is an inspiration to so many and we congratulate her on completing this life-long goal.”

Lt. Gov. Henderson paused her education at BYU at 18 years old after she met and married her husband, Gabe Henderson. By 28, the pair had five children together. She returned to school full time in 2019.

“I feel lucky to work for someone who is committed to this grand idea of life-long learning,” said Jen Robison, the lieutenant governor’s chief of staff. “The lieutenant governor’s passion for education and history carry into her work. It’s a courageous act to return to school as a non-traditional student, but she has inspired her whole team in the process.”

On Thursday, Lt. Gov. Henderson joined her son Jimmy – who is also graduating from BYU – at the school’s commencement ceremony.