Church News BYU celebrates 150 years with ‘gifts of light,’ featuring President C. Shane Reese and Vice President Keith Vorkink
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Nov 18, 2025 C. Shane Reese, President of Brigham Young University and statistics expert, and Keith Vorkink, BYU Advancement Vice President, dive deep into the university's sesquicentennial celebration. They discuss the theme of 'Gifts of Light' and emphasize the commitment to service, inviting students to contribute 150 hours each. The duo also explores the integration of faith and scholarship, the unique challenges of maintaining BYU’s mission, and the importance of fostering community among students. Together, they vision a future where faith and service thrive.
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Meeting His Wife Shaped His BYU Story
- C. Shane Reese met his wife Wendy while he was a student at BYU and calls that the most memorable campus experience.
- He also studied and later taught statistics at BYU, crediting students for the campus's magic.
Design First-Year Classes For Belonging
- Teach new students mission, resources, and connection through small sections and peer mentors.
- Assign group activities so students leave with classmates, faculty, and a peer mentor who know them by name.
Service Over Fundraising For 150 Years
- The sesquicentennial centers on service: alumni and students are invited to perform 150 hours each.
- BYU emphasizes service over fundraising to reinforce its mission and unique identity.