Profiles

BYU English professor John Talbot described a series of "happy accidents" throughout his life that led him to a career he loves.

Walking into James "Jim" Slaughter's office, students' eyes are drawn to the walls covered with photos of his family, the outdoors, Native American art and the Raiders football team. The pictures on his walls give a glimpse of who Jim Slaughter, university chaplain of Brigham Young University, truly is.  

When Ryan Davis, a BYU philosophy professor, first heard “Teardrops On My Guitar” by then-17-year-old, up-and-coming country star Taylor Swift on an evening in 2006, he immediately recognized the singer’s dilemma about how to treat people. It resonated with him enough to make him linger in the car.

After a perilous escape from Taliban forces and nine long months in Germany, the family relocated again to Salt Lake City, where at age 22, Naween Saeed has rebuilt her life. 

Jordan Peterman’s childhood was wrought with poverty, abuse, and periodic homelessness. Hope and determination were slowly grown as “angels” provided safe havens, supported and encouraged him to realize his dreams. Currently studying exercise science at BYU with a goal to become an orthopedic surgeon, Peterman embraces his childhood experience as a motivator to seek for a better life.

Breanna Hayward sees BYU softball as a second chance at her career after life threatening circumstancesImagine working your whole life for something, but...