In the Spotlight

Ricks College Becomes BYU—Idaho

On 10 August, Ricks College quietly changed its name to Brigham Young University—Idaho and officially became a baccalaureate university. Along with the name change, the university implemented 16 junior-year level courses that will eventually lead to bachelor’s degrees.

During summer semester 2001, the university had a record enrollment of 2,282 students, a 228-student increase from the same semester last year.

Mongolian President Honors Educator

The president of Mongolia, Natsagiyn Bagabandi, honored Church member Malan R. Jackson with the “Friend of Mongolia Award.” Brother Jackson, a member of the Sharon First Ward, Orem Utah Sharon Stake, received the award for his work while he served as director of the Butler Institute for International Understanding at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah.

As the Butler Institute director, Brother Jackson began a program to educate and support Mongolian students and leaders in their country’s transition from communism to democracy. Many Mongolian university administrators and government officials, including the prime minister, have been trained at the Butler Institute.

Latter-day Saints Serve in Alberta Cabinet

Church members Ian McClelland, Greg Melchin, and Broyce Jacobs were recently elected as members of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta, Canada.

Brother Melchin, a member of the Calgary 17th Ward, Calgary Alberta West Stake, has served in the Legislative Assembly since 1997, and after his reelection was appointed to the Alberta cabinet as minister of revenue. Brother McClelland, of the River Valley Ward, Edmonton Alberta West Stake, served as a member of Parliament before his election to the Legislative Assembly. Brother Jacobs is a member of the Mountain View Ward, Cardston Alberta Stake.

Oregon Stake Gives Major Service

During the week of 16 July, 1,100 members of the Oregon City Oregon Stake were joined by 400 residents of Canby, Oregon, in giving an estimated 7,000 hours of community service.

The stake had originally approached the city government seeking opportunities to serve the community. As a result, service projects were carried out throughout the city, from cleaning and restoring several community centers to collecting food and clothing for local food banks and shelters.

Because organized service on this scale was unprecedented in Canby, a local television station helped the stake produce a training video to show other community organizations how to work with the city in carrying out large-scale service.

Texas Stake’s Family-Themed Float Wins Prize

In an effort to call attention to the need for strong families, the Plano Texas Stake entered a family-themed float in a local Fourth of July parade and won the Grand Marshal’s prize for best float. More than 60 stake members walked beside or rode on the float, which was titled “Families, the Heart of America.”

BYU Ballroom Dance Company Wins Championship

The Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company placed first in the Standard and Latin divisions of the British Formation Championships held recently in Blackpool, England.

“The teams compete at the championships every three years, and since 1989, both the Modern and Latin teams from BYU have won first place,” said Curt Holman, a BYU dance faculty member.