convocation

Commencement Apr. 27 at 4 p.m. in the Marriott Center Convocation for the Department of Dance, Department of Music, Music Dance Theatre and Department of Theatre and Music Arts Apr. 28 at 8 a.m. in the deJong Concert Hall Convocation for the School of Communications Apr. 28 at 11 a.m. in the deJong Concert Hall Convocation for the Department of Art & Department of Design Apr. 28 at 2 p.m. in the deJong Concert Hall Elder Bradley D. Foster, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is scheduled to be the presiding authority and speaker during the Commencement Exercises on Thursday, Apr. 27, at 4 p.m., in the Marriott Center. Commencement exercises will be broadcast live on BYU TV, BYU Radio, Classical 89 KBYU-FM and byutv.org. Each college holds a convocation the day after commencement. Each graduate is recognized by name and walks across the stage to receive their diploma cover. The college dean presides at convocation, and the ceremony lasts approximately two hours. Students who graduate in December are invited to attend the next April graduation ceremonies and those who graduate in June are invited to attend the August graduation ceremonies. All College of Fine Arts and Communications convocations will take place in the deJong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) on Friday, Apr. 28. Graduates are required to meet 45 minutes prior to their scheduled convocation in the HFAC tunnel, located on the 2nd floor in the north end of the of the building. CFAC convocations usually last about a hour. Each convocation will present student speakers from the respective school or department. Kelli Briggs will be the Department of Dance student speaker and Malori Bigler will represent the Department of Theatre and Music Arts. The School of Communications convocation will present Kayci Kirkham Treu and Catharine Delong as student speakers. Emily Holt and Jane Christensen will speak on behalf of the Department of Art and Jordan Layton and Ashley Smith will speak as Department of Design students. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.

Studio Art student Jane Christensen loves thinking creatively. Christensen will speak at the April BYU Art Convocation this month. Following graduation, Christensen will intern in Los Angeles with artist Monique Prieto. Born and raised in NYC, Christensen moved to Utah when she was 16. Christensen was exposed to art at a young age as her father is an artist and her mother enjoyed theater and her school was across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “I would go to the MET once a week with my school, so I’ve always been very attracted to art and I’ve found a lot of comfort in the arts,” Christensen said. At BYU, Christensen was accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts track where she was given studio space to devote to her art. In 2016, Christensen received an Orca grant to travel to Spain and Morocco where she worked on her artwork and presented a show upon returning home. While in Morocco, Christensen visited with local craftspeople and learned traditional forms of art. Her goal was to learn more about Islamic patterns in art and architecture and the relationships with meditation and ritual. In Spain, Christensen had a studio space where she produced work for her ORCA project. Recently, Christensen received a grant to work on a series of videos that she has created while traveling around Utah, southern California and the desert. Christensen enjoys working in a variety of mediums including painting, video and photography. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.

Photography major and Alabamian Jordan Layton was originally recruited to come to BYU to play soccer. Growing up, Layton never felt he was talented in art or music. However, four years ago when introduced to a friend’s camera Layton discovered photography and was hooked. After being admitted to the program, Layton went on a class trip to Los Angeles where the students met with commercial photographers and visited their studios. This experience solidified Layton’s decision to pursue commercial photography as a career. Layton sets himself apart with the sensitivity and attention to detail he brings to every project. Recently Layton and his professor Paul Adams, the Head of BYU Photography, embarked on a project they later named “Vanishing Voices.” While surfing the web, Layton came across a website illustrating endangered languages around the world including critically endangered languages with only one to three speakers left. “I was amazed at how many endangered languages there were even within our own country,” Layton said. “Looking into these tribes and people it really amazed me how hard they are fighting to hold onto their cultures and their languages that will ultimately die off soon.” Layton decided to document these individuals with a process called wet plate collodion tintype. This is an intensive process that was popularized in the 1850s and 60s around the time of the Civil War. One picture takes approximately an hour and a half to set up and another hour and a half to break down. “The wet plate collodion process is one of the most archival processes ever invented, so the plate could be around much longer than these languages and cultures will be,” Layton said. To create the 20-inch by 24-inch tintypes, Layton had to use a camera of that size. Layton and Adams had so much equipment they had to rent a trailer to take to California where Layton had located a few people for their visit through a number of cold calls. “Vanishing Voices” was displayed at the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU, but Layton will continuing working on the project after graduation. Following his graduation this month, Layton and his wife Miriam are moving to New York City where Miriam will begin a new job and Layton will complete an internship with professional fashion photographer John Moe.

Ashley Smith graduates this April with her BFA in illustration and will speak in the Department of Design convocation. During her time at BYU, Smith set herself apart by taking initiative to be involved. Recently she completed an internship in Salt Lake City with sculptor, Ryan Peterson. Peterson specializes in sculpting life-size Marvel characters, and has worked on numerous other projects in the entertainment industry. As part of this internship, Smith received a generous donation through the Mary Lois Wheatley Scholarship. This money funded her internship and allowed her to pursue sculpture as she otherwise would not have been able to do. After her internship, Smith was able to join professor Bethanne Andersen’s class for a character maquette assignment. She was able to share basic sculpting techniques that she learned during her internship. “After completing my internship, I was able to return to BYU and help other students, which I will always remember as a highlight of my university experience,” Smith said. Aside from her internship, while at BYU, Smith also won several local art contests including one held at The Wall, and another held by BYU Women’s Services. Smith is a native of Germany and lived in japan so she is currently applying for jobs in Japan and Europe. Her current dream job is to design book covers or work in children’s publishing. “For my BFA show I focused on children’s book illustrations,” Smith said. “They were all based on my life experiences, so the project was especially personal to me.” Smith’s convocation message centers on the concept of endings as a type of beginning and the importance of lifelong learning. “When you graduate college, you may feel like it’s the end of something and you could feel the urge to throw away any big dreams you had for yourself that you didn’t accomplish,” Smith said. “We can still accomplish those things. You don’t have to abandon your dreams just because they don’t fit right now.” Smith wishes to thank the many community members who frequently came out to support BYU students. She will miss spending time with her classmates and professors. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.

The Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications 141st summer convocation commenced Aug. 12. Dean Ed Adams presided over this year’s program that featured five speakers from a variety of majors including public relations, public relations, studio arts, dance, graphic design, and media arts studies. If you missed the ceremony or would like to see it again, you can view it online.

The Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications 141st summer convocation commences Aug. 12 at 8:00 a.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Families and friends are invited to watch the students complete this part of their education. Those individuals who who can’t be present at the convocation can view the ceremony online by clicking here. Dean Ed Adams will preside over this year's program that features five speakers from a variety of majors including public relations, studio arts, dance, graphic design, and media arts studies. This convocation differs from other college’s ceremonies as it includes a special musical number from a graduating student. This performance features 'Une ChÁ¢teleine en sa Tour” for the harp by graduating Music Performance Major Eliza Jane Holland. “I recognize that your graduation is a result of much personal determination, self-discipline and dedication,” advisement center supervisor Julee Braithwaite said of students participating. “I hope that as you move on to new opportunities, you will enjoy a sense of satisfaction in the things you were able to learn, create and achieve while here at BYU wish you all the best as you pursue your future professional and personal endeavors.” After the presentations, graduates will individually walk across the stage to receive their diploma. Students who graduate in December are invited to attend the next April graduation ceremonies and those who graduate in June are invited to attend the August graduation ceremonies. The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Students participating in convocation should arrive in the HFAC tunnel at 7:15 a.m. prior to the ceremonies.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications held three convocation ceremonies on April 22 in recognition of the 512 CFAC undergraduate and 28 graduate students receiving degrees during BYU's commencement on April 21, 2016. Download printed program. After a welcome from Dean Ed Adams, the ceremonies were keynoted by student speeches and performances that showcased student work in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Students reflected on what they learned during their time at BYU and expressed their excitement to take the tools they had gathered into their futures. 8 a.m. The School of Communications started their program at 8 a.m. with the largest number of graduates in the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Public relations student Michelle Wood Keddington spoke first about “What to See in Your Selfie.” She challenged new graduates to see the results of earning of degree in communications from BYU including learning how to learn, learning how to do hard things and gaining values that change the world. “When you step back and think about your overall experiences here at BYU, what really matters is who you have become,” said Keddington. “BYU has given you a plethora of values that will make you a better worker and person. Beyond that shameless self-portrait is a person who is unique and has developed many good qualities that will be beneficial for people worldwide.“ Journalism student Brooke Porter spoke next and recounted her experiences telling the stories of those living with a terminal diagnosis. “I was taught the significance of a life and the far-reaching impact that the story of a life can have. I was reminded of why I wanted to study journalism in the first place–to tell peoples stories,” Porter said. “There is so much of life to be enjoyed. So, my question is what will you do with yours and how will you enjoy it?” Following the student speeches, musical performance student Michelle Yumi Papenfuss preformed Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata in A major op. 101 on the piano. 11 a.m. The Department of Art and Department of Design combined exercises at 11 a.m. The ceremony opened with music performance students Michael Drew Powell on flute and Joon-Ho Howell on piano preforming “Nocturne” by Lili Boulange. Following the duet, animation student Joshua Koji Tsukamoto presented his speech entitled, “Discovering Our Potential,” focused on the experiences as student that taught him that his study at BYU would allow him and his peers to have a positive impact on the world. “Everyone is growing and learning. Everyone is aiming to one day be an influence on someone and our dream of illuminating and confirming truth of the infinite potential of the human soul,” said Tsukamoto, quoting from the BYU Media Arts program mission statement. To conclude, studio arts student Kanasa Kinjo Johnson spoke on “Creating Something Big.” She explained the concept behind her final BFA show entitled, Kiseki, a Japanese word with several distinct meanings, which explored how multiple ideas can exist at one time. “We’ve all experienced it. Peace during a difficult trial, fear in a place of safety, assurance about the unknown ahead,” Johnson said. “Whatever is far from you, the future or the past that you have already experienced is more clear. But the closer you get to the present, the more blurry things get.” Johnson challenged the audience saying that embracing the unknown while still being present in the moment is how we can create something big with our lives. 2 PM The graduates from the Department of Dance, the School of Music, the Music Dance Theatre Program and the Department of Theatre and Media Arts combined for the last convocation ceremony. Following a welcome from Dean Ed Adams, music performance students, Lyman Keil McBride on trombone and Alissa Marie Freeman on piano, performed “Á€ la Manière de Schumann” by Jean-Michel Defaye. Following this duet, theatre arts and education student Elizabeth Lloyd Lowe’s speech entitled, “The Power of Communication” explained how the arts dare us to connect with one another. “The arts are more than just mere entertainment they are communication of the deepest aspects of humanity–the things we all share yet rarely speak of, “ Lowe said. “The arts create a real human connection in the moment and encourage us to work together to create something bigger than anyone of us are and allows us to express the inexpressible.” Following the speech, Music Dance Theatre students musical performed “The New World” from Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World, reflecting on “the moment of decision” that can forever change the outcome of life. Concluding the ceremony dance students performed “Seed” with choreography by Aubry Dalley and music by Max Richter. __ After the speakers and performances, with themes of reflection for past and hope for the future, the graduates and families celebrated their final moments on the BYU campus.

Convocation is this Friday, April 22 at 8:00 am, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. For family and friends who can’t be present at the convocations, they can view the ceremonies online by clicking on either the video or audio play button below. We hope you enjoy the live streaming of the CFAC and Law School convocations. These live streams allow you to view archival quality performances in real time. The streaming begins about 5 minutes prior to the posted start times. The live stream is provided as a courtesy of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. We apologize in advance for any possible interruptions or technical difficulties that may arise during the performance. Please note that audio or visual disruptions are subject to sources beyond our control. Footage will be made available a week after the event.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications convocation ceremony was August 14, 2015. According to the program, 18 master and 188 baccalaureate degrees were awarded between June and August 2015.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is scheduled to be the speaker during Brigham Young University’s Commencement Exercises in the Marriott Center on August 13 at 4:00 p.m. President Russell M. Nelson, also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will preside and give remarks. BYU President Kevin J Worthen will conduct the exercises. On Friday, August 14 graduates and faculty from the College of Fine Arts and Communications will gather together with friends and family in the de Jong Concert Hall at the Harris Fine Arts Center for a convocation to celebrate an ending, as well as a beginning, for those graduating in the 140th Summer Commencement Exercises. The convocation program will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a welcome from the new Dean, Ed Adams, and proceed with discourses from graduates Caitlyn Louise Costley, Hannah Elizabeth Richardson, Aubry Dalley, Laura Lee Dearden and Amber Nicole Lauritzen. The speeches will focus on themes such as choosing your own adventure, using imagination, nourishing the world through art and continuing education. Between talks there will be a musical number, Solo de Concert No. 4, op. 77 with Kelsey Jon Ripplinger Edmondson on the oboe and Amalie Simper on the piano.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications’ Department of Art and Department of Design held a joint convocation on Friday, April 26 in recognition of the 196 graduates who have recently completed their undergraduate or graduate programs. The ceremony, which began at 8:00 a.m., was held in the de Jong Concert Hall and keynoted by Mark Graham, Professor of Art and Area Head, Art Education. Two graduates, alumnus Scott Eckern, Academic Vice President Brent Webb and Dean Stephen Jones, all made additional remarks. “Was the climb worth the walk?” Graham asked the graduates present at the ceremony. “The walk was worth the walk. A person who does not have anything to believe in is without energy. When you have the energy of faith in you, your steps become firmer and your look becomes brighter. You are ready to love, to understand, to help and to work. “ Graham encouraged the graduates to cherish the efforts they have made and will continue to make, as they continue to make their dreams become a reality. Likewise, Samuel Carpenter, a BFA Studio Arts graduate, acknowledged the role that his BYU education has played in making his dreams a reality. “I have a gift stirring inside of me. I felt that those stirrings towards art meant that there was something inside transforming my life. I wanted more than just stirrings though, and I knew that I needed help in releasing my gift. My journey here in the Department of Art has been the vehicle for releasing this gift.” Scott Eckern, the college alumni representative, reminded the graduates of the values they have gained through their studies. “This is the beginning of the next chapter of your story,” he said. “How will the spirit of the Y stay with you?” In offering at least a partial answer to his own questions, Eckern suggested that it is a BYU graduates’ responsibility to find a way to stay connected and give back. To conclude the ceremony, Dean Jones expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the teachers, parents, mentors, and students for making the College of Fine Arts and Communications what it is–an institution of learning in preparation for professional contributions and a lifetime of service to humankind.

On Friday, April 24, the College of Fine Arts and Communications hosts three convocation ceremonies in the de Jong Concert Hall to honor this year’s graduates. The first convocation ceremony honors graduates of the Department of Art and Department of Design and begins at 8:00 a.m. The speaker for the ceremony is Mark Graham, Professor of Art and Area Head, Art Education. Student of the departments of Dance, Music Dance Theater, Theater and Media Arts and the School of Music will be honored during the second convocation, which begins at 11:00 a.m. Kory Katseanes, director of the School of Music, is the keynote speaker. The final ceremony commences at 2:00 p.m. and the keynote speaker is Dr. Ed Adams. This convocation also marks the first for the new School of Communications. The Department of Communications recently achieved school status and was renamed the School of Communications. Associate Dean Dr. Ed Carter is delighted to be part of this historic event and hopes that students will remember the people that have made the new school possible. “The School of Communications has a bright future,” said Carter. This first convocation under the label of School gives students, staff and faculty the opportunity to reflect on the service and sacrifice of many dedicated individuals over the last 80 years. The strength of the School is the people who teach, study and work here, and I look forward to decades of continued progress.” As supervisor and an advisor for the CFAC Advisement Center, Julee Braithwaite is extremely grateful to help students along their journey towards graduation. “I am most pleased that as an academic advisor, I may have perhaps played a small part in guiding students towards their graduation goals,” said Braithwaite. “I recognize that the accomplishment of graduation is a result of much personal determination, self-discipline and dedication on the students’ part and hope that as they move on to new opportunities, they will enjoy a sense of satisfaction in the things they learned, created and achieved while here at BYU.” Family and friends who can’t be present at the convocations can view all three ceremonies online by clicking here.

The BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications’ convocation for August graduates will be hosted in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center on Friday, August 15, at 8 a.m. Many students have overcome many challenges and obstacles on the journey to graduation. Below are but a few examples.

Photo by Jocelyn Horne. Hundreds of students graduate from BYU’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts every year, prepared to bring their technical and artistic skills into the worlds of theatre, education, television or film. But Hannah Kroff hasn’t let that stop her from becoming more marketable upon her graduation from the College of Fine Arts and Communications this August.

Being one of the largest colleges on campus, the College of Fine Arts and Communications hosted three separate convocation exercises on Friday, April 25, 2014.

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