Members of the LDS Church Education System’s Executive Committee, including Elders Richard G. Scott {pictured at right] and Henry B. Eyring of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, met with the BYU-Hawaii faculty and staff on Feb. 24 to answer questions and assure them they’re doing “very well.”
Elder Eyring, the CES Commissioner of Education, explained the Executive Committee was visiting BYU-Hawaii to assess progress on campus so they can advise the Board of Trustees.
He introduced the other members of the committee, including Roger Christiansen, secretary; David Bednar, President of BYU-Idaho; Steve Woodhouse, President of the LDS Business College; Elder Merrill Bateman, a member of The First Quorum of the Seventy and President of BYU; Bonnie Parkin, General Relief Society President; Paul Johnson, who is responsible for LDS Seminaries and Institutes; and Elder Earl C. Tingey, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
The combined BYU-Hawaii choirs and Steel Band performed two outstanding numbers to begin the meeting, which prompted Elder Scott to bless them with spiritual guidance.
We pray that every one of you is taking advantage of this extraordinary experience of being here,” Elder Scott said. He encouraged the students to build their testimonies and to bless others with what they learn at the university.
Elders Scott and Eyring then invited questions from the faculty and staff.
One asked, given the tremendous growth of the Church, what is the future of education. Elder Eyring drew laughs when he recalled that as past president of Ricks College, (now BYU-Idaho) he said Ricks would never become a four-year school.
“We're going to continue the support of this wonderful facility here,” Elder Scott said, stressing that the Church’s Institute program would provide spiritual education in other locations but that it was unlikely other Church universities would be established.
In answer to a question of whether the three BYU campuses would stay unique or come closer together, Elder Scott pointed out each campus “meets the different needs of different students.
“I think you’re going through some very significant restructuring here to meet the expanding needs of leadership,” he said. “Especially in helping students return to their home countries in Asia and the Pacific.
Elder Eyring described the shared resources of the three campuses as a “remarkable paradox. At the same time, the distinctiveness is increasing, not diminishing. The individual flavors of the campuses don't seem to be lost at all.”
BYU President Bateman said he also sees the institutions as distinctive. “This institution has a very specific mission, and that has to do with the islands and Asia,” he said. “Providing leadership for the Pacific Rim is a very important part of the mission of this institution.”
BYU-Idaho President Bednar added, “There's a remarkable benefit and an immediate credibility from the name Brigham young University. We received a $66 million donation (from EDS) for our mechanical engineering department, and it doesn't exist yet.” He predicted all of the campuses will eventually be known not only for academic expertise but the spiritual light of the students.
“It's not an accident that this school is here,” Elder Eyring said. “It's no accident that Brigham Young University Idaho is in Rexburg, and it's no accident that BYU is in Provo. I think over time the Lord will reveal why the institutions are where they are.”
Asked if there was anything BYU-Hawaii should be doing better, Elder Scott replied, “We talk about the great things you're doing; and Elder Eyring said, “Let me tell you how the brethren are, if you wonder what they talk about. If we were concerned, you would know about it.”
President Bateman said the three BYU campuses “have got to grapple with the large number of undergraduates. There are two million young people in the Church between 18-25, and there are only 45,000 openings (in Church schools),” he said.
“You do very well in your undergraduate work,” Elder Scott said. “Those who go into the work place will be blessed by it, and those who want to go to graduate school will have better opportunities.”
Before the meeting ended, Sister Parkin thanked each of the sisters "for your goodness to each other, for your love and for your testimonies. For your sharing of your hearts with each other as you gather.”
She recalled how President Hinckley had told her, "Women of faith need to be together, to bolster each other. We take care of the poor, and also the poor in spirit." She also encouraged the sisters to “take good care of each other, and testify of Christ.”
“I would like to publicly acknowledge the members of the Church who are so loyal in tithes and fast offerings,” Elder Scott said of the level of support that allows the Church universities to continue. He also stressed that each of the faculty has been “very carefully selected to hold the positions you have,” and that their names were “reviewed at the highest level.”
“We're grateful for you, and for the extraordinary leadership the Church Education System receives,” he said. “We are blessed to maintain the heritage through programs here and the allied ones that go on in this area and the traditions of the students here.”
He asked the faculty to balance their lessons with testimony of Christ.
"We invoke a blessing that in those quiet moments, you let students know what Jesus Christ means to you,” Elder Scott said.
He added, “We also invoke a blessing upon each of you that as you pray and seek guidance, you'll find ways to improve the things you do...to bless the maximum number of individuals the best way we can on this campus.”