Building Positive Momentum | C. Shane Reese | August 2024
Aug 30, 2024
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C. Shane Reese, president of Brigham Young University, shares insightful ideas on building positive momentum in education and life. He emphasizes aligning personal desires with divine will to foster spiritual growth. Reese discusses the pivotal role of statistics in detecting change, and offers real examples like water levels and athletic comebacks. He highlights the university's commitment to integrating spiritual and academic excellence, showcasing how new initiatives are designed to enhance student engagement and graduation rates. It's an inspiring conversation about forging paths forward.
Aligning personal desires with God's will is essential for spiritual growth, as exemplified by Christ's actions in Gethsemane.
BYU's strategic plan emphasizes enhancing student experiences and fostering a covenant community to build positive momentum and holistic development.
Deep dives
Aligning Desires with Divine Will
The importance of aligning personal desires with the will of the Lord is emphasized, citing Christ's example in the Garden of Gethsemane. This alignment is seen as crucial for personal growth and spiritual success, as it reflects a commitment to acting according to divine guidance. The teachings of church leaders highlight that individuals are not only judged by their actions but also by the intentions and desires of their hearts. By fostering desires that resonate with God's will, individuals can embark on a transformative journey toward becoming their best selves.
Building Positive Momentum for BYU
A framework for enhancing the university experience is presented, focusing on seven key areas that aim to build positive momentum within BYU's community. These areas include enhancing the student experience, fostering a covenant community of belonging, and emphasizing mission-aligned hiring and scholarship. A significant part of the strategic plan consists of reinforcing undergraduate teaching while gallantly pursuing research, ensuring academic integrity harmoniously aligns with spiritual values. This comprehensive approach sets a foundation for measurable progress as the university strives to fulfill its distinctive mission.
Creating Inspiring Learning Opportunities
The university seeks to provide high-impact learning experiences that not only enhance academic knowledge but also inspire spiritual growth among students. Specific instances, such as students sharing their experiences at historic sites, demonstrate the university's commitment to experiential learning. The goal is for each student to participate in multiple inspiring opportunities throughout their education, contributing to their holistic development. This commitment to experiential learning reflects the broader mission of the university to cultivate both intellect and spirituality within the student body.
In becoming BYU, we can implement change point detection and look for changes that can help us surge ahead with positive momentum. C. Shane Reese, president of Brigham Young University, delivered this university conference address on August 26, 2024. You can access the talk here.