For Madi McArthur, "Becoming BYU" isn’t just a motto — it’s a responsibility that guides her academic and personal journey.
"Becoming BYU kind of just really resonated. It just made me feel, 'yeah, this is the right place to be,'” McArthur said.
In his 2023 inaugural speech, President C. Shane Reese challenged BYU students to think about how they can shape their lives to live out the university’s mission. He encouraged students to not just embrace the university’s principles, but to make them a personal goal.
“Becoming BYU made me feel a responsibility to be a great student, to be a good example and to represent BYU and, I guess by extension, the Church and all the things that I do," McArthur said.
McArthur is a second-year BYU student from Houston, Texas majoring in public relations and minoring in political science and civic engagement.
McArthur said her experience at BYU has reinforced the importance of maintaining high standards in both her academic and spiritual life.
That sense of responsibility extends beyond campus. McArthur said her BYU affiliation influenced her current PR internship.
"In the interview that I had with my boss, he was like, 'Oh yeah, you know you're going to get the job. I know you're from BYU, so I know your work ethic is really good,'" McArthur said. "I was like, 'man, this BYU reputation and becoming that and fulfilling that and keeping that precedent for other people is just really important to me now.'"
President Reese has emphasized that, "each student’s eternal progression must remain our foremost concern." For McArthur, this spiritual focus has strengthened her academic experience.
"I love how 'Becoming BYU' means growing closer to God and being more involved in the gospel in your everyday life," she said. "It just reminds me to be more Christlike and to grow my testimony."
As an FHE group leader, McArthur said she works to build connections and include others.
"I try really hard to be friends with everyone that I meet and I love supporting them in all the things that they do.”
"I love inviting everyone to come and be a part of something fun," McArthur said. "I invite almost everyone that I see to come to my activities, 'cause I'm like, 'Oh, if you're not doing anything, you should come, have fun, have a good time.'"
President Reese has spoken about building a "covenant community" rooted in service and belonging.
"Belonging comes from our service and the sacrifices we make for others and for the Lord," Reese said in his address.
Looking ahead, McArthur said she wants to carry the lessons of "Becoming BYU" into her future.
"I think that in the future I will remember my time here at BYU and I will try to keep up that reputation for others," McArthur said.
For incoming BYU students, McArthur offered a straightforward yet meaningful piece of advice.
"Try new things to try and grow," she said. "Part of that is growing and finding out new things about yourself and that's what college is kind of all about."
President Reese has also encouraged personal reflection, asking students, "is the mission of BYU changing me, or am I trying to change the mission of BYU?"
McArthur embraces this vision wholeheartedly.
"I love that the whole 'Becoming BYU' gives us that call to try and become what we are, what the school is prophesied to become," she said.
In her commitment to excellence, learning, service and faith, McArthur embodies what it means to "Become BYU."
For her, it’s about growing spiritually, serving others wholeheartedly and living out BYU’s mission with integrity and purpose, not just on campus, but throughout her life.