Dr. Brent W. Webb, former BYU academic president and recipient of the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award, spoke on the unique responsibilities shared by BYU students and faculty in his university forum address on June 6.
As a distinguished lecturer, scholar, researcher, and BYU undergrad, master’s student, professor, and administrator, Dr. Webb is uniquely qualified to speak to every member of the BYU community.
Dr. Webb began by lamenting that so many of his students say BYU’s fiscal advantages are their primary reason for choosing to come. He then encouraged students to look past the good deal they get, saying, “The strength of BYU is so much more than its affordability.”
Historically, campus forums, devotionals and other university addresses have been corrective and critical of students and professors alike. However, Dr. Webb’s address had a different tone from those other addresses. Rather than a reprehension, he spoke lovingly about how things ought to be at BYU.
Dr. Webb cited a 2006 study done by the BYU Faculty Center that found that highly rated professors provide students with both spiritual and intellectual learning.
Dr. Webb has given six addresses at previous university conferences, each highlighting the importance of BYU’s mission and of teaching with the Spirit. He focused on how to be the kind of students and teachers BYU should house.
“More now than ever, the Kingdom of God needs deep thinkers anchored in faith in all disciplines capable of reconciling scholarly observations with authentic, defining belief in God. The world needs thinkers who both rigorously and prayerfully approach their disciplines, and are willing and able to access the perspective that comes from seeing with both eyes: faith and reason,” Webb said.
True to its title, “Where Else but at BYU” is the constant theme of the address. With the immediately implied answer of “nowhere else,” Webb also included the idea that BYU students and faculty have a special responsibility to ensure the continuance of the unique environment that allows for “living true to covenants, a unique environment freed from the distractions found on other campuses,” and, “ideals of the Lord Jesus Christ [to be] embraced.”
From Jacob Fisher
The Cougar Chronicle is an independent student-run newspaper and is not affiliated with Brigham Young University or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
