Hold onto your scrunchies and crank up the boombox to hear CFAC’s gnarly accomplishments from the 80s and 90s. From accreditation milestones, museum openings and student-led innovations, the college was straight-up killin’ it. Whether you are a child of the 80s or just vibin’ with the vintage, get ready for a blast from the past that really is all that and a bag of chips.
Department of Comms is Accredited by AEJMC | 1985
The Department of Communications (now the School of Communications) is first accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). As a member of this body, the department committed itself to student learning that encourages critical thinking, ethics, diversity and freedom of speech, among other objectives. Currently, ACEJMC accredits 111 programs in journalism and mass communications at colleges and universities in the United States (and one at a university outside of the country).
BYU’s Theatre Season Includes Classics | 1986
In 1986, TMA students gave stellar performances in “Sunday in the Park with George” and Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya.” TMA continues to perform classics to this day, such as Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” this past season.
BYU Music Professors Perform at the Governor’s Mansion in SLC | 1988
In the fall of 1988, The American Piano Quartet — Paul Pollei, Douglas Humphreys, Jeffrey Shumway and Mack Wilberg — was asked to perform an eight-hands concert at the Governor’s Mansion in Salt Lake City as part of the Governor's Artist Series, wherein money was raised for the Mansion Foundation. In addition to supporting the foundation, the concert also served as a symbol of the pillar that is Utahn artistry.
International Folk Dance Ensemble Performs in the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea | 1988
1988 was the last time doves were released in the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, but it was the first time the Olympic Committee welcomed the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble to perform. Continuing their tradition of embracing and celebrating cultures around the world, the IFDE brought a unique and unforgettable spirit, consistent with the mission of the Olympics. BYU's International Folk Dance Ensemble also had the opportunity to perform at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games.
BYU Ballroom Dance Company Takes the U.S. Invitational Title in Miami, Florida | 1989
Though considered underdogs compared to the more established, former world champion German team, the BYU Ballroom Dance Company won the invitational challenge match between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany, as part of the United States Ballroom Dance Championships in September 1988. BYU adhered to their lines and performed with a touch more flair, outperforming their rivals. It was an outstanding and ground-breaking effort by the BYU Ballroom Dance Company.
BYU Spectacular Celebrates Four Alumni | 1989
The highlight of the 1989 BYU Homecoming Spectacular highlighted BYU alumni Kurt Bestor, Sam Cardon, Merrill Jensen and Michael McLean. “Celebrating the Music” featured video clips highlighting their individual musical achievements, including video clips of television and movie scores they each composed. “I am going to let the audience watch my work. I am going to let the music speak for me,” Jensen said. While BYU celebrated these musicians, they each also had the opportunity to thank BYU and to give back at this spectacular homecoming.
BYU Theatre Season | 1991
BYU’s 1991 theatre season included beloved classics such as Shakespeare’s “12th Night,” George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” and Barta Heiner’s “Guys and Dolls.”
BYU Hosts the World Amateur Championships. | 1993
For the first time, this championship competition was help in the US and launched BYU Ballroom into greater recognition. Eventually, BYU even hosted the US Amateur National Championship in 1996, and has continued hosted it ever since. Former directors of the Ballroom Dance Company, Linda and Lee Wakefield, made waves in BYU's dance program at the time — Lee was also the Department of Dance chair for 10 years.
Museum of Art Opens | 1993
Financed entirely by private donations and designed by L.A. architect James Langenheim and former directors of lighting and design at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, LeMar Terry and Stuart Oliver, the BYU Museum of Art opened in October 1993. BYU’s collection of art started long before the MOA opened, but the new building finally gave all these beautiful works of art an equally beautiful home. “We have an art museum to match the quality of our collection,” said 1993's BYU President Rex E. Lee.
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