Serve others, Huntsman tells Y. grads
Deseret News 13Aug99 C4
By Jeff Call: Deseret News staff writer

PROVO, UTAH -- Businessman, Church member and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman, spoke at the commencement exercises of the largest summer graduating class in Brigham Young University's history.

Bro. Huntsman, one of the richest men in the world, told the graduates that one's true wealth is only represented by selfless service to others. "Let us go forward now, as graduates, with the hope, determination and personal commitment that whatever we do from this point on, it will involve the lifting and loving of others," Bro. Huntsman said to the assembled.

Jon M. Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman Chemical, the largest privately owned chemical business in the world was also bestowed with an honorary doctoral degree of Christian Service by BYU President Merrill J. Bateman.

Though he was not listed on the program, President Hinckley, a close personal friend of Bro. Huntsman, took time out of his schedule to pay a surprise visit to the 2,678 graduates assembled at the Marriott Center. Near the end of the evening, President Hinckley offered some brief remarks.

President Hinckley called BYU "a crown jewel" and expressed his pride in the school and the graduates, saying, "Take with you the great values that you lived since you've been here,"

President Hinckley also paid tribute to Bro. Huntsman saying, "Among the men I've known and met, I don't know any to equal John Huntsman. He's a man of tremendous accomplishment."

When John Huntsman and his wife, Karen, were married, they decided to set aside $50 out of a $322 a month paycheck to give to those less fortunate than themselves. President Hinckley urged students to follow that selfless example.

Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve was also in attendance as John Huntsman is his son-in-law. Elder Haight praised him for his genuine willingness to assist the needy.

In addition to his astounding professional successes, Bro. Huntsman has made hefty financial contributions to many relief efforts worldwide. He also contributed $100 million to the University of Utah to establish the Huntsman Cancer Institute. His additional support and donations to the University of Utah athletics led to the school to rename the basketball arena the "Huntsman Center" in his honor.