Shining Pillars of Light
Article by Emma Marx | Photos by Grace Heaton
Thursday evening the Honors Program hosted the annual Alumni Networking Event, featuring our very own shining pillars of light – students and alumni! Students had the opportunity to sit down with these incredibly talented alumni and discuss post-grad plans, career paths, and even personal lives over a delicious dinner. A panel of alumni then took questions from the students, sharing their expert advice and alleviating some stress of our Honors students, both those who find themselves stretched thin and those facing paralyzing decisions about the future.
A freshman in Honors 110, Natalie Tikalsky, is still exploring the Honors program and deciding if it’s the place for her. “It’s helpful to see people who have finished the program because it’s intimidating as a freshman,” she said. Other freshmen felt similarly, many noting that hearing from the alumni helped to alleviate the stress they are experiencing about choosing a major. “It seems like they all did different things in their jobs than what they studied at BYU, so I feel less pressure about the decision,” said Olivia Hoban, and undecided major.
The message of the panel was truly one of comfort. “I think the Lord blesses the righteous desires of our hearts,” one alumnus said. Other panelists agreed, with Julia Anderson adding, “Anything you study at school is useful.” She found that to be the case when the first question she fielded as a professional genealogist happened to be on the topic she had studied for her master’s thesis.
The Lord will take your efforts in education and multiply them. “He’s preparing you now to bless the lives of others in amazing ways,” testified alumnus Sean Kerman.
Other students were impressed by how the Honors program has influenced not only the careers but the personal lives of the alumni. Each alumnus, in addition to their career, spoke of a rich personal life full of diverse hobbies: reading, hiking, travelling, and more. Many attributed that to the Honors program. “Honors helped me to enjoy the journey, really love what I’m doing, and not just try to get to the next milestone or next objective,” said Kerman.
This also speaks to a quality inherent in all Honors students: a desire for lifelong learning.
Ephraim Ong, a senior in the program pointed out that after hearing from the alumni he wants to “savor these opportunities and experiences.” Alumnus Patrick Walton agrees. “Life will not go on forever. There is a season for every purpose under heaven, and right now that’s to take advantage of every experience your undergraduate education offers.”
“I wish I would have taken the time to say thank you more to those mentors and advisors,” alumnus Kayci Treu shared. The message to our students right now was clear: even amid midterm exams: savor your time here. Take the time to truly learn in class, to do your reading, to get everything you can out of this experience. Thank your professors and mentors. You may doubt it, but the message from our Honors alumni is that everything you learn will help you when you leave BYU.
Heather McCammon, alumnus and full-time mother said, “I use something I learned in Honors every day of my life raising my kids.” No matter what your aspirations, committing fully to your education at BYU and in the Honors Program will bless your life in unexpected ways.
Thank you to our Honors Alumni who do so much to give back to the Honors Program! You are our beacons of light!
Read the bios of all the alumni who joined us at this year's event here.