BYU Contemporary Dance fund launches to benefit students
Malda Rust Withers, one of seven original BYU dance graduates, introduced a new endowment fund to BYU. The contribution will help students in the dance department pursue their education and access unique off-campus opportunities.
Withers began dancing at BYU before it was considered a program. During her time at the university, she and several other students decided to advocate for dance to be an official degree. In 1958, Withers and her cohort celebrated as BYU’s first official dance graduates. Today, her dance fund will help other dancers follow their passion.
The endowment fund was launched at an alumni luncheon in late April. Anyone interested can donate to help dancers in need.
Students present research at prestigious nursing conference.
Nursing students Grace Edwards and Catherine Wendel presented on new psychiatric simulations being introduced at BYU. The pair presented to nursing professionals from all over the United States at the annual American Psychiatric Nurses Association conference.
Their presentation focused on the details of a new psychiatric care course. The simulation helps nursing students to practice working in an immersive psychiatric unit. Dr. Michael Thomas and Professor Brandon Thatcher guided the pair through the course they developed.
Edwards and Wendel worked together to gather data from five years of working on the course. At the conference, they focused on the idea that simulations such as these can be implemented nationwide. As the only undergraduate presenters at the conference, their research impressed many industry professionals.
Their research could go on to shape how psychiatric nursing is done at other colleges and training facilities.
BYU’s Model Arab League competes nationally in Washington, D.C.
The Model Arab League at BYU had the chance to go to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national competition. After the team swept the awards in the regional competition, they continued working to be ready for the national competition.
The student team of 15 — all Arabic-speaking — prepared for months to do their best at the competition. For the students, competing meant debating various political issues, learning to articulate stances of an assigned country and collaborating with other schools' teams. After a week or so of debating, awards were given based on votes from other teams.
The team took home various awards, including first place on the Joint Defense Council, second place for Palestinian affairs and third place for environmental affairs.