New Activities Program offers students leadership, growth
REXBURG, Idaho— The BYU-Idaho Activities Program ( www.byui.edu/activities ) is gearing up to offer students opportunities for involvement and leadership in arts, enrichment, physical and social areas. Although it has been developing during the past year, many people have the misconception that it’s an expanded version of intramurals, says Devin Shaum, Activities Program director. “It’s much more than that,” he says. “People need to understand that it’s much more than just sports. It’s arts, enrichment, physical and social. They need to understand the breadth of the program.” The arts component of the program, directed by Jim Brague, features art, dance, music and theatre. Enrichment, directed by Kris Fillmore, comprises leadership, service and programs. The physical area, directed by Lori Woodland, involves fitness, outdoors and sports. The social division, directed by Jesse Brown, comprises talent, entertainment and dance. Each of the eleven subdivisions
involves student volunteers, coordinators and directors. The student
directors meet every Thursday at “It’s very
exciting,” says Johnny Hanna, student talent director and a senior from
Moreover, the program does not exist simply to replace intercollegiate athletics. Rather, as Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve said, it will “provide leadership training in the broadest and most exciting kind.” “Everyone wants to hold up intercollegiate athletics and the Activities Program next to each other and compare them,” Shaum says. “They cannot be compared; they are vastly different. We had the very best intercollegiate athletics program, from the trainers to the coaches to the athletes. But the Activities Program is vastly different. . . . It will involve many students in many areas as a core value.” The program offers opportunities even beyond leadership, Hanna says. “Have you ever wondered how to put on a concert, hold tryouts for bands, reach professional sound and lighting? This gets you to get people involved,” Hanna says. “You learn about marketing when you advertise for your events. You get to come up with new events. Having that idea and actually putting it together gives you such a sense of accomplishment. You can’t really gain that at any other school.” The program will be student-driven because students’ interests and desires will create the activities as the program grows. “The program is very dynamic, very fluid,” Shaum says. “It will be changing. Students may request different activities. Students will see how this connects with their Church responsibilities and educational opportunities. It will make them broad and give them great depth.” Shaum believes the program will also enrich students beyond their college years. “Our students will know how to do things,” Shaum says. “The world needs people of honesty and integrity and people who know how to think and do. The importance isn’t in the soccer game. It’s in knowing how to organize, motivate others, lead, direct and work with people. Life is about working with people. This program will make better people, communities, fathers and mothers. He adds, “I hope students will try and taste many things in many areas and leave BYU-Idaho with a quiver full of experiences that will bless them for the future.” |
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