By Dean David B. Magleby
April is a month on campus when we celebrate
student accomplishment. Graduation will again see large
numbers of our students having completed degrees and moving
on to new opportunities; nearly one quarter of all BYU
graduates are from our college. In a few days family members
and friends will return to campus to recognize and applaud
their friend or family member on this milestone. As faculty
and staff of the college, we share in the pride of completing
a college degree.
This April, for the fourth consecutive
year, the college is hosting the Mary Lou Fulton Mentored
Student Research Conference where over 300 students are
presenting over 170 posters. These posters summarize research
the students have done in a mentored relationship with
a faculty member. It is exciting to see the students explain
what they studied and learned to faculty, staff and other
students. Some of these students are also presenting posters
at professional meetings around the country, and it is
not uncommon for BYU students to win awards at these meetings
for the “best” student paper or poster. Truly
we are grateful for the support of alumni and friends
whose generous gifts make it possible for us to assist
in covering the expenses of students who are invited to
present at these professional meetings.
Presenting a poster, like writing a paper,
is a communication skill that will serve the students
well. Our college is also seeking to encourage more writing
in our courses, and some departments now offer courses
in advanced writing, allowing their students to fulfill
advanced writing requirements within the major rather
than in the English department. In the alumni survey administered
regularly to alumni like you, we have been advised that
a greater emphasis on writing would have been helpful
in your undergraduate education.
Thanks for your interest in the college.
I hope that several articles in this issue of our newsletter
will let you know about our students and faculty activities
during the past several months. We greatly value your
input and support.
