Faculty and Staff Archives - BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

Q&A with Megan Sanborn Jones

Veronica Anderson — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 18:19:45 +0000

My go-to BYU Creamery ice cream flavor is… Pralines and Caramel. Three things that are always found in my refrigerator are… cheese, cheese and more cheese. The Joneses love cheese — fresh, aged, soft rind, semi-soft, blue — we love them all. One item on my bucket list is… to see the “Oberammergau Passion Play.” It only runs every 10 years and tells the entire story of Jesus’s life in a six-hour play. In German. Which I don’t speak. My family doesn’t speak it either, so it shows how much they love me that they are willing to come with me to see it! Read the full interview here.

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The Art of Religion: Curator of Religious Art Ashlee Whitaker Shares How Religion Looks Behind the Frame

Capri Baker — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 19:46:18 +0000

Ashlee Whitaker paints the picture of how religious art works and spirituality coincide With over a decade of experience under her belt, curator of religious art Ashlee Whitaker will share her experiences and thoughts at the college Faith + Works Lecture Series. On March 10, she will speak on “The Things of a Soul: Art as Sacred/Spiritual Text,” explaining how she has accessed spirituality, empathy and understanding through art. Whitaker graduated from BYU summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in art history & curatorial studies and is the recipient of BYU’s Graduate Research Award. She was an intern at BYU’s Museum of Art and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. and later began working at the Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah after receiving her graduate degree in 2008. Outside of her practice, Whitaker enjoys numerous personal interests. When she is not curating, she may be found running, hiking, doing “nerdy history stuff,” exploring antique shops, road tripping or playing with her dog Winslow.

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Faith + Works Lecture Series: Professor Kris Boyle Shares How to Harness Heavenly Help

Capri Baker — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 20:50:28 +0000

Kris Boyle walked students and faculty through a few of life’s crucial moments he has faced and how the Lord has been alongside him through it all Third-generation BYU cougar Kris Boyle recently shared what “Harnessing the Power of the Lord in Our Educational Journey” has meant to him at the college Faith + Works Lecture Series on February 3. Boyle looked back on the challenges and opportunities life offered him, which led to his appreciation for the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 101:16. This verse contains the two-word command to “be still,” a “phrase [that] has stuck with [him] first as a student, then as a journalist and now as an educator.” Boyle found that by encompassing the attributes of faith, action, sacrifice and love, we are enabled to access the power of God in the work we do. During the lecture, he expounded on how these characteristics have played a major role in the different circumstances he has faced. The first story he shared took place in the spring of 2019 when he and fellow School of Communications professor Ed Carter led students on a trip to the Colombian island of San Andrés for cultural preservation purposes. They hoped to document after-school programs and capture the unique influence of American sports on the island. Boyle explained that while the group did not know fully what to expect, it took faith and action from both the professors and students alike to journey to an unknown place with very few connections and try to accomplish their goals. He added that their sacrifice of time to be there allowed for a “spirit of love” to be shared among the youth with whom they worked. A later situation where the Lord’s hand was evident was when Boyle worked with other professors and students to celebrate the anniversary of the First Vision in upstate New York. They thought about pushing back the trip in order to have better weather, considering they were traveling in February, but something inside Boyle said they should move forward with the original plans. Boyle told himself that if this is what the Lord wanted them to do, they should do it. In faith, they took action. Ironically, the worst snowstorm of the year hit while the group was there, but miracles along the way proved they were right where they were supposed to be. Because of the intense weather, there was hardly anyone on site at their interview location, allowing for hours of work without disruption. They met a couple who were some of their most compelling interviewees. The lack of population also allowed for a time of personal spirituality when Boyle got up early to visit the Sacred Grove on his own. He said, “to have that Sacred Grove experience is something I will never, ever forget.” Upon reflection, Boyle realized that had the group decided to push their trip back, the work and preparation for the project may have been for naught, because the COVID-19 pandemic hit soon after and most likely would have made the trip impossible. Boyle continued with the final example of how he has witnessed the Lord’s hand in his life. He explained the miracles he and family identified despite the immense sorrow they felt after his father’s death from a bike accident. He said, “While losing Dad was so difficult…, I’m grateful that as I look back, I am able to identify several ways the Lord was preparing us for this trial.” In retrospect, Boyle has been able to recognize that despite the heartache, there have been blessings that have come of it. Boyle’s mother’s college car, Mustang Sally, is one that his father cherished and worked on extensively before he passed. While it had not run for 40 years, the car finally started weeks before his father’s death. Boyle felt that the Lord knew his father’s time on earth was limited and wanted him to finish the car repair as “a gift of love for his sweetheart,” allowing Boyle’s mother to drive Mustang Sally to the funeral. Another tender mercy came when family members received a letter from a man named Emmanuel, who was the recipient of Boyle’s father’s kidneys. Much like Boyle’s father, Emmanuel’s passions included swimming, running and biking. Reflecting on the experience, Boyle noted, “this was the work of the Creator.” While the family prayed for a miracle for Boyle’s father to recover, Boyle understood that “this was the miracle.” Boyle concluded with his testimony that Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives. “As we are willing to do the Lord’s work at BYU, He will make it so we will not be weary. He will make it so we will not faint.” Again emphasizing the importance of accessing heavenly help, Boyle said that through faith, action, sacrifice and love, the power of God is accessible. He said, “On occasion, we don’t have all the answers. We won’t be able to see the end from the beginning.” Boyle continued, “Instead, we need to step out of the light into the darkness, trusting that He will be there to guide us.”

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Pop-Culture Power

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 21:19:16 +0000

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Be Still: Kris Boyle to Speak on the Harmony Between Religion and Education at Faith + Works Lecture

Capri Baker — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 23:23:38 +0000

Kris Boyle is well-versed in the world of journalism and communications. On February 3, Boyle will speak at the college Faith + Works Lecture Series on “Harnessing the Power of the Lord in Our Educational Journey.” He will discuss what the phrase “be still” means to him and how faith, action, sacrifice and love have influenced him in doing the Lord’s work. Boyle, originally from Idaho, earned his bachelor’s degree in print journalism and his master’s degree in mass communication. He later received his doctorate degree from Texas Tech University in mass communications. Following this accomplishment, Boyle spent six years at Creighton University as an assistant professor of journalism before returning to BYU. At BYU, Boyle teaches undergraduate classes in media writing and editing and is a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). When he is not in the classroom or in the newsroom, Boyle enjoys time with his wife and sons, as well as running, biking and attending BYU sporting events.

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BBC Radio Features Music Professor’s Trio Hat Trick on Composer of the Week Program

Alyssa Anderson — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 19:21:13 +0000

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Intelligence Lab launches with Public Relations Fest

admin — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 21:27:26 +0000

The BYU School of Communications hosted a Public Relations Fest on Tuesday night in conjunction with the launch of the new Public Relations Intelligence Lab. The purpose of this event was to provide students with a place to discover opportunities within the public relations program, specifically through the new Intelligence Lab. Students filled the Hinckley Center to learn about the new changes to the public relations program. Lab account supervisor Georgia McGrath said this event is a launch for the new lab so students can get to know the program, staff and opportunities available. “Hopefully it will make the lab more approachable, that we want students to come and work with us.” The School of Communications announced the new Public Relations Intelligence Lab in June. According to the news release, the goal of the lab is to “provide mentored-learning experiences with real-world clients to all students in the public relations program.” To read the full story by Anna Wilson, visit the Daily Universe.

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The College of Fine Arts and Communications Welcomes New Faculty and Staff

Alyssa Anderson — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 22:12:43 +0000

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Bringing the Savior’s Appearance in the Ancient Americas to Life in the Book of Mormon Videos

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 17:45:25 +0000

SPRINGVILLE, Utah — “This is the central part of the Book of Mormon — the appearance of the Savior,” Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. said, as the film crew was preparing for a day of working on the Book of Mormon Videos on Monday, July 26. “This is a really important season of filming.” Elder Curtis, a General Authority Seventy and Church Historian, visited the private and secluded set, located near Springville, Utah, during the production of the fourth season of the Book of Mormon Videos. The cast and crew began filming two weeks ago and hope to have everything they need by the end of August to begin post production. Anthony Butters, who plays Jesus, speaks to media during a break as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ production of the fourth season of Book of Mormon Videos is filmed near Springville, Utah, on Monday, July 26, 2021. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team had a year to work on refining the scripts prior to getting the green light to get back on the set. Elder Curtis was joined by Sister Reyna I. Aburto, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, on the set. Both are members of the Book of Mormon Videos steering committee. “We are so excited that the First Presidency approved us filming again,” Sister Aburto said. “We all feel this is the central part of the Book of Mormon because it contains the words that Jesus told those people,” she said. “It contains His teachings and His doctrine. The sole purpose of this project is to testify of Him and to increase faith in Him.” At the same time, the production team knows it may face an uphill battle to get viewers back in the habit of watching the fourth season of the Book of Mormon Videos, Elder Curtis said. “We were just so pleased with the start we had with the other videos that we released and the momentum that we had going,” he said. “People got so that they knew we released the videos on Fridays, and so we would have ‘Book of Mormon Videos Friday Nights’ with members of the Church. … To have this long of a time [without new videos] was painful because we had such a good thing going.” Read the full article by Jon Ryan Jensen on The Church News.

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2021 Retiring College Faculty and Staff Honored for their Service

Elena Castro — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 20:25:31 +0000

Six faculty and staff members from the College of Fine Arts and Communications to retire this year “This year, several faculty and staff within the College of Fine Arts and Communications will be retiring after years of hard work and devoted service to both their fellow colleagues and students. These individuals have strengthened our college community and will always be remembered in high esteem. These are close colleagues and friends and we will all miss our daily association with them,” said Dean Ed Adams. Faculty and staff retirees include Bethanne Anderson, Steve Lindeman, Larry Lowe, Rebecca Ott, Don Peterson and Kirt Saville. Bethanne Anderson | Design Bethanne Anderson graduated from BYU with a BFA in painting and an MFA in painting and drawing. She also studied with a scholarship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, as well as the Florence Academy of Art. She has illustrated 13 children’s books and has won the Boston Globe–Horn book honor, the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award for Peace from the United Nation, the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators and the Southwest Library Association’s Best Children’s Book Award. Steve Lindeman | Music Steve Lindeman taught as a professor of music in the Brigham Young University School of Music, where he taught music theory and analysis, orchestration, jazz history, jazz styles and analysis, jazz piano and world music. Lindeman’s expansive education includes Indiana University, Queens College CUNY and Rutgers University. He has also done postgraduate work with the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop, the Stanford Jazz Workshop as well as film scoring workshops. Larry Lowe | Music Laurence Lowe taught in the Brass & Percussion division of the Music Department. He taught Private Horn Instruction, Horn Master Class and First-year Horn. He has established an international reputation as a horn soloist, composer, orchestral player, and teacher. He has been a soloist at nine international horn workshops sponsored by the International Horn Society. He was principal horn in the Orchestra at Temple Square for 12 years and is currently principal horn in the Ballet West Orchestra and in the Mendocino Music Festival Orchestra and Opera. Rebecca Ott | Dean’s Office Rebecca Ott has been serving BYU for over 36 years. In her time here, she has seen many changes and worked in different areas. Beginning at the Computer Distribution Center, her office sold the first personal computers to all departments, faculty and staff where she came to know almost everyone on campus. She subsequently worked for the Computer Science Department, then two Academic Vice Presidents and one Associate Academic Vice President. In 1997 she came to work in the College of Fine Arts and Communications where she has worked for four deans, one interim dean and over 10 associate deans, as well as serving as the Barlow Endowment Administrator. Her greatest satisfaction has been knowing and working with all of the faculty and staff in the college. She leaves with many fond memories of her time in the college and at BYU. Don Peterson | Music Don Peterson was appointed Director of Bands at Brigham Young University and conductor of the Wind Symphony in 2008. Under his direction, the BYU Wind Symphony completed highly successful tours to Asia in both 2009 and 2015, as well as Europe in 2012. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master of Music degrees in music education from Brigham Young University, followed by a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental music/conducting from Arizona State University. Peterson is an active member of NAfME, UMEA, NBA and was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2011. Kirt Saville | Music Kirt Saville acted as the Director of the School of Music at Brigham Young University, where he was Professor of Music Education and the Associate Director of Bands. Coming from 22 years of experience as the Director of Bands and 15 years as the music department chairman at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas; Dr. Saville taught instrumental music education and conducted the Symphonic Band at BYU. He has presented band clinics and session workshops throughout the West, Midwest and the People’s Republic of China.

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