convocation

Student speakers express gratitude for difficult paths and look forward to promising futures

As the students delivered their speeches, their artwork and projects were projected on a screen for the audience

Graduating music performance major Kaden Larson may have never pursued a music career if he had not been diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of two. “The diagnosis was a catalyst, but it’s not a leash,” said Larson. “We can be given a challenge or something that seems unfair or something that seems insurmountable, but that is often just our way into something else.” Read more about Larson’s experience studying music on BYU News.

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The Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation will take place at 8 a.m. on April 27

The Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation will take place at 8 a.m. on April 27 Animation BFA student Kalee S. McCollaum will be speaking at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation. From a young age, McCollaum recognized her love for art, but along the way, she discovered an appreciation for science and math. The animation major was a perfect choice for McCollaum because of its combination of technical and artistic learning. “When I took my first animation class, I was immediately hooked,” McCollaum said, “and I’ve thrown myself into learning more about animation ever since.” As a senior in the program, McCollaum has collaborated with other students to create the annual short film produced by the seniors in the Department of Design. McCollaum is the director of this year’s film. The process involves working closely with the other 25 students and four faculty members. “All of them are awesome, inspiring people. They made spending all that time in the lab completely worth it,” McCollaum said. “I guess I am proud of being the director, but honestly I have more pride in the other students and how much they have done to work together to make a really cool film.” Working on short films throughout her education provided an invaluable experience that helped prepare McCollaum for the professional animation industry. One of her biggest takeaways was the importance of collaboration and hard work. “This experience is not just great for applying to studios,” McCollaum said, “it is also an important lesson I’ve been applying in my own life as a citizen and as a member of the church.” McCollaum plans to work in the industry and rise to be the lead character or environment artist in her department. Her long-term goal is to create an animation studio in 10 years with her friends. Q&A What did you want to be when you grew up? “Before I realized making art was a job you could make money at, I always wanted to be an exotic animal veterinarian.” Where do you find inspiration? “Inspiration can come from anything and anywhere. Most often it comes from me looking at my surroundings from a different perspective. If I am actively seeking inspiration, I like to look up works by some of my favorite artists or I will pick a subject that intrigues me and learn as much as I can on that subject. I try to get inspiration from learning.” What was the hardest challenge you had to overcome at BYU? “Learning to step outside of my comfort zone.” What is your favorite snack? “Either a Twix or a Peanut Butter Snickers, depending on how ‘hangry’ I am.”

The Department of Dance, School of Music, Music Dance Theatre Program and Department of Theatre and Media Arts Convocation will take place at 11 a.m. on April 27. Talented actor and theatre education student Soren Barker will speak at the Department of Theatre and Media Arts Convocation in April.

Convocation for the Department of Art and the Department of Design will take place at 8 a.m. on April 27

Convocation for the School of Communications will take place at 2 p.m. on April 27

Convocation for the School of Communications will take place at 2 p.m. on April 27

Convocation for the School of Communications will take place at 2 p.m. on April 27

Convocation for the Department of Art and Department of Design will take place at 8 a.m. on April 27

Convocation for the Department of Dance, the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Media Arts will take place at 11 a.m. on April 27

Convocation for the School of Communications will take place at 2 p.m. on April 27

Convocation for the Department of Dance, the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Media Arts will take place at 11 a.m. on April 27

BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) will hold the 2018 April Convocation ceremonies on Friday, April 27, in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC). Ceremonies will include student speakers, musical numbers and the presentation of diplomas to graduates. University Commencement will take place on Thursday, April 26 at 4 p.m. in the Marriott Center. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland will give the commencement address. More information on commencement can be found here. Convocation for the Department of Art and Department of Design will take place at 8 a.m. Speakers will include studio art students Sarah Brown Roberts and Megan Mitchell Arné, graphic design student Gunnar Harrison and animation student Kalee McCollaum. Convocation for the Department of Dance, the School of Music and Department of Theatre and Media Arts will take place at 11 a.m. Speakers will include TMA student Soren Barker and dance student Tessa Homer. Convocation for the School of Communications will take place at 2 p.m. Speakers will include public relations student Ellen Huish, news media student Natassja Krupczynski and advertising student Britt Thomas. Along with student speakers, each convocation will feature a performance by a student graduating from the School of Music. Woodwind performance student Christian Tran will perform at 8 a.m., vocal performance student Mary Hoskins at 11 a.m. and piano performance student Hyrum Arnesen at 2 p.m. More information for graduating students can be found here.

The 142nd convocation of BYU’s College of Fine Arts and Communications will be held Aug. 18, 2017 at 11 a.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. The ceremony will also be live streamed here. Graduates from the Department of Art, School of Communications, Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Department of Dance, Department of Design, and School of Music will join together in one ceremony to be recognized and receive their diploma cover on the stage of the de Jong Concert Hall. Dean Ed Adams will preside over the ceremony where four graduates from different departments will address the audience. They will be speaking on the following topics: Studio arts major Pearl Corry on “Spontaneous Creative Exchange” Media arts studies major Cameron Babcock on “Remember” Illustration major Grant Hansen on “The Power of Need” News media major Samantha Clark Forrest on “Step Outside” During the program, a musical number titled “Beau Soir” by French composer Claude Debussy will be performed by Megumi Terry on the violin and Alice Hyoung on the piano. Terry is a graduating music performance major with an emphasis in string. The convocation will conclude with the presentation of master’s and baccalaureate degrees.

Two-dimensional studio art major Emily Holt loves painting, cooking, four-wheeling and plans to become a teacher after graduation. Holt will speak in the April convocation for the Department of Art, where she will discuss the importance of creativity in day-to-day life. Holt grew up on a farm in Enterprise, Utah with her five younger brothers. Holt and her family grew hay, potatoes, corn and raised dairy cows. From a very young age, Holt loved art. “I used to get in trouble when I was only three years old, because I would draw on every surface,” Holt said. “The chairs, tables and walls—I used everything for art.” Holt now prides herself on pushing her limits in her art. Holt feels that actively creating gives her the ability to become someone new. “I enjoy the discomfort of doing things outside the norm, just pushing boundaries through art and teaching and making people think in new ways to see things they never expected before,” Holt said. In her time at BYU Holt attended the BYU Jerusalem study abroad, worked as a TA, co-curated an exhibition at Alpine Village, worked as an artist’s assistant for Irish artist Joanna Kidney and received both a grant and scholarship for art projects. While at BYU Holt has been a part of the licensure program, giving her the opportunity to student teach for nine weeks at Providence Junior High as well as nine weeks at Harvest Elementary School. Holt will speak in convocation about the intersection of the creative process of finding oneself. “We aren’t going to figure out who we are during our first day at BYU, we become that through a process and once we graduate we continue that process,” Holt said. “Everything we do in life is a becoming process.” For Holt, art has been integral in that becoming process. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.