mark graham

Students From the College of Fine Arts and Communications Travel Internationally to Gain Real-World Experience and Share Their Talents While Studying Abroad

BYU art professor Mark Graham was named a Fulbright Scholar, which has allowed him to work with faculty and students from Kathmandu University (KU) in Nepal Department of Art professor Mark Graham was placed on the Fulbright Specialist Roster for a tenure of three years. Currently, Graham has a Fulbright scholarship to travel to Kathmandu, Nepal to help implement STEAM education in conjunction with efforts from students and faculty from Kathmandu University (KU). “STEAM combines art with math, engineering, science and design,” said Graham. “It provides advocacy for the arts, access to STEM subjects, new approaches to teaching, curriculum and opportunities for underserved populations.” While STEM education is more widely known, STEAM education takes the previous education system focusing on science, technology, engineering and math and adds art to the equation. Many educators see STEAM education as an exciting opportunity to more fully engage their students in interdisciplinary topics in a hands-on experience. Graham has already traveled to Nepal once for the STEAM project but will return on various trips for the next two years. His purpose is to help math and science teachers in Nepal understand how they can more fully integrate the arts into the curriculum, learn about art education trends in Nepal, develop a long-term collaborative research relationship with faculty at KU and open the door for future educational exchanges between BYU and KU students. “Being a Fulbright Scholar has given me the tremendous opportunity to work with scholars and students from Nepal,” said Graham. “We will hopefully involve BYU students in a project that will have a lasting impact for teachers and children in Nepal. This is the culmination of over five years of planning.” Graham was nominated as a Fulbright Scholar by the Peer Review Panel and was awarded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning. The Fulbright Program, established by Congress in 1946, gives grants to U.S. citizens for the purpose of studying, teaching and doing research abroad. Since its creation, more than 390,000 students and teachers of art and science have been able to participate in international education exchange programs in over 150 countries worldwide. His roster tenure as a Fulbright Scholar began on October 12, 2018 and will end on October 12, 2021. In addition to his trips to Nepal as a Fulbright Scholar, Graham is working on another STEAM education project in collaboration with the BYU McKay School of Education. Through this project, Graham and the McKay School of Education hope Utah elementary schools will embrace integrated arts learning. The three-year project consists of Graham visiting local schools and helping teachers properly implement the curriculum. This project has been funded by the BYU Center for the Improvement of Teacher Education & Schooling (CITES).

Priscilla Stewart will present her research on place and ecology based education at the National Art Education Association’s National Convention, the premier conference for K12 art educators and university researchers

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.