Brigham Young University—my alma mater

I graduated from three colleges before attending and graduating from Brigham Young University.  BYU is the school that I, by far, most closely associate myself.  Because of its mission statement and goals—what it stood for—I  selected my course of study, graduate major and minors, and ultimately focused my dissertation on an aspect of its lofty purpose.  

Brigham Young University is a school that has as the basis of its educational goals scholastic success for its students, and their spiritual/religious/moral development, which objective applies also to all who are connected with the school in any way, in any assignment or relationship. For this it was founded, organized, funded, staffed, nurtured, and built into a great growing university. Of course, there is nothing in this objective that vitiates in any way or compromises the university’s high scholastic aim and the effort to achieve it; rather, it serves to define and expand those particular objectives. This school was then, and is now, meant to be a bastion of decency in a coarsening world where there is continual corrosion of moral and spiritual sensibilities. 

A leisurely stroll anywhere on the campus bears this out.  The dress, language and deportment of its students, faculty, and staff is an instantly apparent counterpoint to that of any other college I've ever visited.

BYU retains a commitment to the principle of “in loco parentis,” in the place of a parent. This is today unheard of and would be considered an anachronism in virtually any other university in this land. In an educational climate in which that principle is largely abandoned now, BYU cares, as a true parent should, about the whole lives of those who come to study there—their educational preparation, the nature and quality of their life-style, and the enhancement of their sensitivity and the quality of spirit that relates to the inner world of each individual. BYU cares what kind of people they are and works to help them develop what they can become. And that, after all, is what matters—not slogans, not even high and holy objectives. BYU stands in the place of a parent. 

 I observed that those who serve at BYU  in any capacity—administration, faculty, staff, all others—represent the school in their various positions, and for this reason undertake a solemn trust. The pipe fitter and professor as well as the policeman represent authority, the attendant as well as the administrator, the carpenter and the controller, the gardener and the geologist. Each is under obligation to honestly support in their service and their lives the purpose, the policies, and the standards that are the reason for this university’s existence. 

And then the students: Those who attend BYU are expected to live up to the highest standards of honesty, morality, and decency while in attendance and then, most importantly, for ‘the world is our campus,’ ‘Go Forth to Serve.’  And that means not just to serve oneself, but whomsoever comes within the pale of one’s influence. Because we have been given much we too must give. 

My association with every professor and every staff member whether in administrative offices, library services, gymnasium or campus stores and services as well as every student with whom I had interaction was congruent with the expectations mentioned above.  I was never disappointed.

What a privilege it was to attend this great institution of higher learning.