By HILARY ROSS
Alton Wade, vice president of student life, and his wife, Diana, will speak on “Service: An Ultimate Objective of Education” tonight at 7 in 3228 ELWC.
“Learning without service is only half the formula,” Alton said. “If we do not translate the education we receive into service, the education will not be worth as much.”
Students will learn that getting an education puts them in a position to provide service, and they will be better prepared to use their education as a tool to serve their communities, their church, and their nation, Alton said.
The Wades were inducted as honorary members in BYU’s chapter of Golden Key National Honor Society in October. They were chosen as honorary members based on their significant service to BYU and the Provo community.
Alton has been involved in education for 36 years. He received a master’s degree at California State University in Long Beach and later received an Ed.D. in educational administration at BYU.
Alton served as headmaster of the LDS Church College in New Zealand and as a zone administrator for the CES with assignments in the Pacific, Asia, South America, Canada and the United States.
He was president of Dixie College from 1980 to 1986 and was president of BYU-Hawaii from 1986 to 1994. Alton has served as Student Life vice president at BYU since June 1994.
Diana received a bachelor’s degree from BYU before raising her children.
She is involved in the community, helping families of children with disabilities. Diana works with brain-injured children for a few hours each day. She recently raised funds needed to bring a brain-injured child from Hawaii to receive assistance.
In addition, Diana has been a volunteer for the National Academy for Child Development for many years.
Alton said Diana’s desire to serve those with disabilities may be a direct result of the time and attention she has given to their own handicapped daughter.
“Diana has a sense for when people are in need and she is drawn to those people,” Alton said. “Her concern for the youth, the schools, the handicapped, the underprivileged and the community has been evident, and she has always left the community a better place than when she came.”
The Wades are the parents of eight children and will soon have 18 grandchildren.
