DEAN'S OFFICE

Dean

Sara Lee Gibb
212 Richards Building
(801) 422-4658

FACULTY MESSAGE

Remarks to the College – Pre School Fall 2008

To begin this morning, I would like to share just a few highlights from last year. These are only a small sample so please understand; we know that there are many more things that we could highlight.

PowerPoint of last year accomplishments.

I have been attending a first day of school since I was 6 years old and entered the first grade. I remember the excitement I felt then, and I can truly say I have never lost that enthusiasm and wonder of the possibilities for learning that lie ahead in a new school year.

I hope you feel that way too. For many, the summer was too short and now the fall semester is looming upon us. But the ritual of attending the pre-school meetings with the president, vice-president, and others, somehow magically puts us in a position of readiness. And for me, there is also gratitude, to be here and to be one with you at this great institution, in this phenomenal college, awaiting our exceptional students.

The beautiful presentations and statements of philosophy by President Samuelson and Vice-President Tanner have left no questions as to what we are about here at this institution…or what is the ‘BYU Way’. While this may not be new to anyone, it is important to have the clarification and reminder of expectations so that our performance can be enhanced. Even though I have been coming to pre-school meetings for many years, I learn so much each time; yesterday was a landmark day in many ways.

One of the new faculty members indicated that a colleague told him that he did not need to attend these pre-school meetings. That is not true. Just look at what he would have missed. If anyone did not have the opportunity to be in attendance at these meetings yesterday, please see that you check out a DVD of the proceedings. The inspiration, instruction, expectations, and vision will be the roadmap for our collective work here at the university. As requested, we are expected to attend meetings as called by the university, college, and departments, including commencement, convocation, devotionals, forums and other activities provided by the university. I can promise you, especially our 10 new faculty members, that if you fulfill all of these expectations, you will be happier, more productive, and more successful in your work here.

Regarding the principles elucidated in our meetings yesterday, including the necessity for our students and us to be “bilingual”, we cannot readily reference other institutions as models. BYU is unique. I urge you to find the balance of learning by study and by faith, and where reason and revelation are compatible. If you are allowing yourself to be close to and directed by the spirit, you will know ‘the truth of all things’, receive the necessary help that you will need and you will treat all of your colleagues and your students in the way that your Heavenly Father would have you interact with his children.

For those who clearly understand and practice being a “triple threat” with teaching, scholarship and citizenship at BYU, it is affirming to know that you are on the right track. For those who might need some adjustment, these meetings provide the necessary guides for a little nudge and course correction. All three are critical to success in this college. Citizenship is crucial for the progress of our departments, and in our disciplines, both in the service of getting the work done and in our personal interactions.

With apologies to some of my colleagues who have heard me share this quote, may I read from a talk by President David O. McKay at a BYU Devotional in 1948:

“There is one responsibility which no man can evade: that responsibility is his personal influence. Man’s unconscious influence is the silent, subtle radiation of personality---the effect of his words and his actions on others. This radiation is tremendous. Every moment of life, man is changing, to a degree, the life of the whole world.”

Our citizenship expectation is more than sitting on committees. That is important, but even more important is working cooperatively with students and faculty to move the department, college and university forward toward the collective and individual missions. To deal with disagreements with civility always modeling ways that provide solutions rather than creating problems. Try to determine what is right rather than trying to prove who is right and lay blame.

What did you learn yesterday? What have you learned today? You will have a chance later on in the meeting to share.

Certainly the charge that is printed upon every BYU contract and with which we have agreed to comply, should be foremost with every interaction that we have. “All faculty are expected to be role models for a life that combines the quest for intellectual rigor with spiritual values and personal integrity.”

Between the wonderful talks we heard yesterday, the speakers had about 2 1/2 hours. I have only a few minutes. I believe that the messages were clear and inspirational. I would only like to add one additional thought. This is one thing I hope you will learn today. The balance in learning, teaching, scholarship, citizenship and personal life, can be achieved! We are not asking nor are we requiring heroic lists of publications, etc. Productivity and excellent teaching can be achieved with citizenship and service in a balance that allows for time to pursue those things that are uniquely important to each of you in your lives.

I believe we are all engaged in this work because we love learning. Perhaps that is more important than we realize. Perhaps it is more important to inspire and help teach students how to learn and to love learning and the associated critical thinking skills. What should we continue to learn? What should we hope for our students to learn along with and beyond the knowledge of the discipline?

It may be best said by one of the prophets and seers who is a member of our Board of Trustees. At the Commencement exercises in April, Elder Bednar gave some profound advise to the students.

DVD excerpt of Elder Bednar—Enter to Learn to Learn and Go Forth to Serve.

Today, our message is one of practical application.

This will happen in the workshops and messages to follow.

May I tell you how much each of you means to me personally and to our collective work. I appreciate so much my colleagues in the Dean’s office and each of the department chairs. I hope you will let them know of your support and appreciation as there is a great deal of sacrifice for each of you. There is not a finer, better prepared faculty body in the world than in this college. As we try so hard to improve in our scholarship, teaching, and in all you are now doing may seem to be diminished. This is not the case. You are wonderful and we know that. As we move into a new year, I would hope that you proceed with confidence knowing that you are appreciated and valued.

I would like to say a word about academic excellence. Lets all do our best to upgrade our standards. In the last 4 years our measurements indicate very significant progress. We can still do better. This is the place where excellence should be the hallmark. We have chosen a most noble profession. Jesus Christ himself was a teacher. Moneys and resources are provided for you to seek to achieve the stated university mission. Create a vision for yourself and your departments based on that mission. Unless we are making a significant difference, we are not fulfilling our destiny. Ernest L. Wilkinson indicated the importance of constant emphasis upon the basic religious nature of all knowledge. “To accept the common authorship of God for all spheres of learning is the cornerstone of LDS education”.

Take time to read D&C 88:77-79 with this context in mind.

“And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms.”

What have we learned about assessment? One thing that we have learned is that we can always be better. Assessment should be formative as well as summative, for us and our work as well as the work of our students. What are you doing to use assessment to improve your personal work? How do we know we are as good as we think we are or as good as we can be?

This year, use the resources available and all the tools and measures to be the best we can be. Lets not waste any time or energy on cynicism, faultfinding and complaints. The gospel is built on agency. Each of us owns the university. We are each an integral part of the whole. If there are problems, we have to own them and take the responsibility to make things better. It is not always someone else’s responsibility.

Each of us is here by design. Prophetic words tell us that no one comes to BYU by mistake. President Harold B. Lee asked us to constantly remember that profound and oft-repeated admonition of the Apostle James: “ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”. Profess to your students; testify to your students of those truths about which you are passionate.

May I suggest one additional idea to those we have heard over the last two days? Please realize the importance of living your life today. Life, right now is it, and if you are not enjoying part of it, change those things that are bothering you and make them enjoyable. We have been taught over and over that if we work hard now, life will be good later on. This is true. But it is possible to live so much for the future that we miss the beauties of today. Make it fun………fun for yourselves as well as for your students. Live in the present. Your students will appreciate you learning with them. Your full presence, even a little spontaneity and perhaps a dose of vulnerability will go a long way. This doesn’t negate excellent preparation or good use of time. Keep the balance in each area of your stewardship and find time for yourself and your family and your personal life.

Now, with all of our love and best wishes, lets have a wonderful banner year. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be a good learner. To our new colleagues, it will get easier. For all of us, we need to continue to be good learners, and to love learning.

I say this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ…