With the start of a new fall semester, there are a lot of exciting things to look forward to. Check out upcoming performances, congratulate our new Department of Dance Chair, and learn how to celebrate important BYU anniversaries happening this year.
Curt Holman Appointed Department of Dance Chair
Effective immediately, Curt Holman is to succeed Shayla Bott as Chair of the Department of Dance. Holman was also awarded the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer award, BYU’s most prestigious faculty honor, at the 2025 BYU University Conference. Shayla Bott was appointed Associate Dean of Faculty in the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications on July 1, 2025. We congratulate both of them on their new positions and are grateful for their exceptional leadership within the department and college.
BYU Turns 150
October 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of Brigham Young University. As a campus community, we are excited to both honor our past and envision our future, to remember the many people who have built this school into what it is, and to celebrate and share the divine gifts of light that BYU cultivates in all of us.
This year-long anniversary celebration will feature many varied activities, beginning in August 2025 and extending through June of 2026. Learn more here and watch how BYU shares the light of the arts with the world in the video below.
The College of Fine Arts and Communications Turns 100
Founded in 1925, the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications paved the way as the first Fine Arts College in the Intermountain West. As we celebrate our college’s 100th anniversary, we remember the important milestones that took our college from a humble group of learners to the awe-inspiring pillar of education we know today.
Together we honor our past, celebrate our present, and envision a future full of bold ideas, inspiring performances and meaningful connections. “Add Your Voice” by submitting your memory, experience or wish here.
Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Events and Performances
- “The Stories We Tell,” Keely Song presenting at Humanities Conference | Sept. 18 at 9:10-10:30 a.m. in B192 JFSB
- “Dance & Discipleship” Discussion and Q&A with Ballet West’s Rylee Rogers | Sept. 18 at 11:00 a.m. in RB Theatre | Open to all students, faculty, and staff
- BYU Study Abroad Fair | Sept. 18 at 11:00-2:00 p.m. in the Marigold Quad (South of the HBLL)
- Career Planning Series: Graduate School Information Sessions | Sept. 19 at 8:00-9:20 a.m. in 185/187 RB and 1:30-2:50 p.m. in 271 RB
- World of Dance | Sept. 25-27 at the Marriott Center | Purchase tickets here | Read CFAC news release here
- Mandatory Dance Major Meeting | Sept. 25 at 11:00-11:50 a.m. in 185/187 RB | All dance majors and minors welcome
- Fragments of Movement and Sound | Performance featuring the Hong-Park Piano Studio and faculty and students from the Department of Dance | Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall (MB) | Free admission
- Overnight Field Study at Lytle Nature Reserve | Students interested in applying to choreograph for DancEnsemble Winter Semester are invited to attend | October 10-11 | Talk to Marin Roper by September 30 to secure your spot
Uplifting Thought of the Week by Karen Jensen, Assistant Professor
This past summer, I was able to go to France with my family where we toured many cathedrals. I was captivated by the stained-glass windows and considered the time invested and the artistic vision for each of them. The individual pieces of glass were so distinct in shape, color, and texture — yet, knitted together they created harmonious thing of beauty.
As I began this new semester I thought about how unique each student and teacher is — much like a piece of stained glass. Each semester we link arms together as we embark on new academic journey; learning and growing together, hearts knit together in Christ. We get to learn from each other regardless of our role — teacher, student, colleague, peer, friend. Doctrine and Covenants 88:77 states, “And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.” I hope that as we work together this semester we will grow in body, mind and spirit while creating something beautiful.
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