WSU SPIRIT SQUAD
By JAMES GORDON Reporter
The parasailer
On March 17, the Weber State University Police Department responded to the Wildcat Soccer field, where an individual was found parasailing. Police first contacted the Stromberg Complex Facility Managers, who said that no one had permission to use the field except for the WSU soccer team at 1:30 p.m. On arrival, police found the gates unlocked and opened. Police located and confronted the parasailer, telling them they needed to request access to the field and needed written approval from Risk Management to parasail. The parasailer agreed to stop, gathered their equipment, thanked the officer and left.
Hallucinations
On March 21, WSU officers assisted a person experiencing delusions and hallucinations at the University Village community center. The person obtained entry into the dorms at a late hour and was alleging they had been assigned a room. Officers assisted the individual in vacating the area.
Biker breaks loose
On March 24, a motorcyclist escaped from an attempted traffic stop. A Weber State police officer intended to stop the motorcyclist for not having a license plate, but as the biker sped up, the officer then pursued the motorcyclist for speeding.
The motorcyclist was riding a black, sportstyle motorcycle, wearing a black jacket, gray pants and a black helmet with a face shield.
The officer reported the motorcyclist looked back at them when they approached. On 36th Street, the officer activated their lights, and the motorcyclist filtered between a line of cars and continued north, speeding up to 70 mph.
Police said due to car density and a desire to flee, the officer turned off their lights and stopped as the biker crested the hill to 30th Street. Police said pursuing the motorcyclist in traffic at high speeds would pose a risk to both the driver’s and the public’s safety.
Swenson Gym arrest
On March 25, WSU officers arrested an individual for trespassing at the Swenson gym. The suspect had trespassed on a prior date but was reported to have returned on campus.
On March 22, police trespassed and
transported the individual to a shelter in Salt Lake City. The individual then returned on March 23 and 24, both times being informed of the trespass and assisted in starting due process by scheduling a meeting with the dean of students.
After finding the suspect in the Swenson Gym on March 25, police arrested the suspect for trespassing and booked them into Weber County Jail.
PRIDE AND POLITICS: UTAH’S CONTROVERSIAL FLAG BAN
By HAVEN DI ATENE Reporter
Flags are more than just decoration; the United States of America’s flag is a representation of equality, freedom and democracy to its citizens. However, that’s not the flag at stake with House Bill 77.
Taking effect on May 7, Utah House Bill 77 prohibits the flying of flags on government property without legislative approval and bars government employees from displaying flags that have not been approved in the bill. In addition to current flags of the United States and other countries, the bill permits the displaying of official flags representing cities, specific branches or units in the military, the National League of Families
Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/ MIA), public schools and related authorized organizations, colleges and universities, tribes and the Olympics and Paralympics.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Trevor Lee, has maintained that the bill was created to ban Pride flags in schools. However, Lee later extended the prohibition to all government property, claiming political neutrality.
This type of targeting against the Pride flag has sparked protests among Utah residents, with many claiming it is a result of religious pushback influenced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lee, whose online presence argues for merging church and state, has only fueled this ongoing fire.
The church has said that they don’t agree with the LGBTQ+ community but that they
don’t discriminate against them, but many of the influential people attached to this bill have made their standings clear. While it isn’t the church that is making these statements, religion is heavily factored into decisionmaking with these bills.
“Identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or experiencing same-sex attraction is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the church, holding callings, or attending the temple,” the church said in its Topical Guide regarding same-sex attraction.
McKenzee Haderlie, a Weber State University student, is one student caught off guard by the legislation.
“America is supposed to be the land of the free. We’re supposed to be able to practice our own religious beliefs in society, and I
don’t really know what damage someone having a Pride flag is doing,” Haderlie said.
Weber State has already started taking down some of the Pride flags that had been displayed throughout campus.
“We have bigger things that we should focus on. There are other things that should have been banned before they even thought about a flag,” Haderlie said.
Starting May 7, fines will be given to both state and federal buildings that fly flags that are not included on the list of authorized flags, with $500 fines being imposed for every day an unauthorized flag is flown.
Crowds of people wave pride flags at a festival celebrating Pride Month.
PROHIBICIÓN DE LA BANDERA DE ORGULLO EN UTAH
Por DAVID ROMAN AROS Traductor
Las banderas son más que solamente una decoración; la bandera de los Estados Unidos es una representación de igualdad, libertad y democracia. Sin embargo, esa no es la bandera que está en juego con el proyecto de ley 77 de la Cámara de Representantes de Utah.
El proyecto de ley 77 de la Cámara de Representantes de Utah, que entró en vigor el 7 de mayo, prohíbe ondear banderas en propiedades del gobierno sin aprobación legislativa y prohíbe a los empleados del gobierno exhibir banderas que no hayan sido
aprobadas en el proyecto de ley.
Además de las banderas actuales de Estados Unidos y otros países, el proyecto de ley permite banderas oficiales que representen ciudades, ramas o unidades específicas del ejército, la Liga Nacional de Familias de Prisioneros de Guerra/Desaparecidos en Acción (POW/MIA), escuelas públicas y organizaciones autorizadas relacionadas, colegios y universidades, tribus y los Juegos Olímpicos y Paralímpicos.
El principal promotor del proyecto de ley, el representante Trevor Lee, ha mantenido que el proyecto de ley fue creado para prohibir las banderas del orgullo en las escuelas. Sin embargo, Lee amplió la prohibición a todas las propiedades gubernamentales, alegando neutralidad política.
Este tipo de ataque contra la bandera del orgullo ha provocado protestas entre los residentes de Utah, y muchos afirman que es el resultado de la presión religiosa de los legisladores con creencias influenciadas por la iglesia de jesucristo de los santos de últimos días . El representante Lee, cuya presencia en Internet aboga por la fusión de la Iglesia y el Estado, no ha hecho más que alimentar este fuego.
McKenzee Haderlie, estudiante de la Universidad Weber State, es uno de los alumnos a los que la legislación ha sorprendido.
Haderlie dijo, ¨Se supone que Estados Unidos es la tierra de la libertad. Se supone que podemos practicar nuestras propias creencias religiosas en sociedad, y realmente
no sé qué daño está haciendo que alguien tenga una bandera del orgullo¨. Weber State ya ha empezado a retirar algunas de las banderas del orgullo que se habían colocado por todo el campus.
Haderlie dijo. Hay cosas más importantes en las que deberíamos centrarnos. Hay otras cosas que deberían haber sido prohibidas antes de pensar en una bandera¨.
A partir del 7 de mayo se impondrán multas a los edificios estatales y federales que suban banderas no incluidas en la lista de banderas autorizadas, con multas de 500 dólares por cada día que ondee una bandera no autorizada.
HARSH TERRAIN AND KINDRED HEARTS: WSU ANNOUNCES ANOTHER TRIP TO NEPAL
By SKYLER MUNDEL Contributer
To kick off the 18th annual Ogden Climbing Festival, Weber State University’s Outdoor Program is announcing a new travel opportunity for service-minded students that will take them to the mountainous region of Khumbu in Nepal, a region that may be better known as the Everest Region.
The announcement of the new travel opportunity will follow a keynote event on the evening of April 11, where WSU students and faculty will reflect on their experience traveling to Nepal with the Outdoor Program in Spring 2024.
“It became a place that’s special to me,” said Hayley Prine, WSU Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Program Coordinator, who had gone on the trip to Nepal in 2024 alongside eight students and several faculty members. “It’s a really magical place and it felt really special to be able to experience that feeling together.”
WSU’s Outdoor Program partnered with the Apa Sherpa Foundation, a nonprofit organization that leads service-oriented treks through the Khumbu region, for its trip to Nepal in 2024. Prine said the group completed a number of service projects for the locals while completing the 100-mile trek to Everest Base Camp.
Through fundraising, the group was also able to donate a number of solar lanterns to the locals along the trip. The lamps are a well-appreciated commodity by the locals because electricity isn’t always reliable in the Khumbu region.
In another instance, the group helped a local school move some heavy stones and paint a mural. Cage Vigil, a WSU alum who attended the 2024 Nepal trip, said his experience reaching Everest Base Camp paled in comparison to the moments he shared with the locals along the way.
“The landscape was beautiful, the food was pretty good, but it was the people of Khumbu and Nepal that really made the trip worthwhile,” Vigil said. “The mountains are really cool, but if you go, you should really try and experience the people and their culture.”
While the landscape the group trekked through in the Khumbu region certainly captivated them, those who went on the 2024 trip described their experiences in getting to know the local culture and connecting with the locals as being the most personally impactful part of the trip.
“Spending time with people who are so willing to give their time and resources really meant a lot to me,” Prine said. “I hope that I brought some of that kindness home with me — maybe now I’m more willing to stop my feet and give people time and resources when they need it.”
Eddie Hill, an associate professor in the Outdoor and Community Recreation Education program at WSU, was also able to take part in the 2024 trip to Nepal. While on
the trip, Hill conducted a qualitative study of the lived experiences of those who went on the trip.
Hill said he and his two undergraduate student research assistants were able to find three common themes among the experiences of those who went on the trip.
These themes included a collective sentiment that the trip was extremely physically, mentally and emotionally demanding, a desire to have been able to do more for the locals and a feeling that the Nepal trip was the most impactful trip that the participants had ever been on.
“I’ve never been to Nepal or a developing country like that. I realized how much in need they really are and yet, they’re so humble that they’d give you anything,” Hill said. “It was
transformative for me and the others because it really made us think of how much we have and how appreciative we should be.”
Hill will be presenting the findings of his study in further depth during the Ogden Climbing Festival’s keynote event on April 11. Another trip to Nepal in partnership with Apa Sherpa Foundation is expected to be announced at the same event alongside registration details and expected costs. According to Prine, the Outdoor Program is hoping to hold the trip in Spring 2026.
“When people ask me how the trip went, I say that they don’t make words for it,” Vigil said, reflecting on the impact that Nepal trip had on his life. “It was paradigm-shifting and it changed my view of the world.”
Weber State University Outdoor Program
Weber State University students, faculty and local guide hiked the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal, 2024.
VICE PROVOST BRENDA KOWALEWSKI TO DEPART AT END OF SEMESTER
By JAMES GORDON Reporter
After first stepping onto campus 30 years ago, Vice Provost Brenda Kowalewski announced on Feb. 18 that she will be leaving Weber State University for a new position at Winona State University.
Beginning July 1, Kowalewski will serve Winona State University as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
As vice provost at Weber, Kowalewski was responsible for academic planning, faculty development, leadership training and supporting key initiatives from the provost’s office. With her departure and the implementation of Weber’s realignment plan following the passage of HB 265, the university does not plan to fill the position, leaving a vacancy in academic leadership.
Kowalewski began her journey at Weber State in 1995 as a faculty member in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, later serving as program director in 2004. In 2006, Kowalewski began working in a quasi-administrative role, blending faculty work with administrative duty in communitybased education and moving to a full-time administrator role in the Provost’s Office in 2016.
One of Kowalewski’s contributions to Weber State was co-creating the Center for Community Engaged Learning in 2007. The center offers students and faculty opportunities to engage with partnering local organizations, both on and off campus.
“It really focuses very much on students and helping students get connected to these experiences in the community, and they take what they’re learning in the classroom, and they’re offering it to the community,” Kowalewski said. “In that process, they’re honing their own talents and skills and knowledge sets.”
After co-creating CCEL, Kowalewski went on to co-create the Office of Community Development.
“In 2016, she convened a coalition of seven anchor institutions in Ogden, including the two local hospitals, school district, technical college, city government and health department, to leverage their combined assets to assist in revitalizing East Central Ogden,” Weber State public relations director Bryan Magaña said.
The coalition then grew into the Ogden Civic Action Network, a program that gathers local institutions together to address issues in the community, such as housing and education.
“This mindset about being part of the community is part of our fabric and culture. It’s part of our history. It’s part of who we are,” Kowalewski said. “I can’t take credit for any of that stuff, but what I can say is I honored that history and I further developed that commitment to the community in my senior leadership role through these efforts.”
In fall 2024, Kowalewski was awarded the 2024 Barbara A. Holland Scholar Administrator Award by the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities — an award given to administrators who use their leadership to impact both their institutions and their community — for her role in establishing programs like OgdenCAN that promote community engagement.
“Brenda’s impact on our university is immense,” Provost Ravi Krovi said in an announcement to faculty and staff. “Her leadership has shaped both undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty development, international education and student success initiatives that will have a lasting legacy.”
Kowalewski said her time at Weber left her with lessons she will carry forward.
“You don’t make a decision without thinking about our students first. I’ll say the last thing that I learned here: Our student success [is] completely dependent on the success of our faculty and our staff,” Kowalewski said.
Brenda Kowalewski speaks with fellow administrators and students at Weber State University.
WSU RAISES AWARENESS FOR THE LANTERN HOUSE
By JOSEPTH TROTTER Contributor
Ogden’s own Lantern House/St. Anne’s Center has been serving those experiencing homelessness in Northern Utah since 1981. Their dedication to serving everyone who walks through the door helps set the Lantern House apart. Anyone can receive food and shelter, as well as the opportunity to meet with case managers for counseling. These services are life-changing for the 300-plus people who receive aid from the Lantern House daily. However, this work comes with many obstacles that the Lantern House has been experiencing in recent months.
Material and monetary donations are the lifeblood of the Lantern House. Without constant support from the community, the services at the Lantern House are negatively affected. While the Lantern House often receives many donations and support in November and December, this time of the year is usually much more challenging to receive donations similar in magnitude.
The best thing that community members can do to help is spread awareness about how to help those experiencing homelessness in Ogden.
Many individuals want to help by donating camping equipment. However, the Lantern House discourages this.
The Lantern House is located at 269 W.
33rd St., Ogden, Utah 84401. To volunteer or learn more about the Lantern House, call (801)-621-5036 or email info@lhou.org.
Students at Weber State can donate directly to the Lantern House with a donation drive from April 1-16. For more information, you can contact Josephtrotter@Weber.Edu.
A NEW ERA BEGINS FOR WEBER STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER
By WILL NAUGHTON Reporter
With new head coach Kyle Christensen and new assistant coach Collete Smith, Weber State University’s women’s soccer team are gearing up for a new era when the 2025 fall season begins in August.
The Wildcats had a conference record of 1–6–1 in the Big Sky and went 2–13–5 overall in the fall 2024 season, scoring 18 goals and conceding 48 in 20 games. The Wildcats will look for new inspiration in front of goal as forward Ali Swensen, who topped Wildcat scoring with seven goals as a junior last season, transferred to the University of Utah. Christensen plans on integrating “high tempo, attack minded” tactics that will excite fans.
For the coming season, WSU’s women’s soccer team will aim to play their way into tournament qualification while developing their roster along the way. Christensen believes that his squad, led on the pitch by his upperclassmen, has the heart to produce something special.
“I’m excited about the buy-in from this team,” Christensen said. “I am super pleased with how committed everyone is and how much work is being put in. The foundation is there, and we just need to keep taking the right steps forward to improve. If we do that, I’ll think we’ll have success in the near future.”
Christensen, who was crowned the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference Player of the Year as a senior at the University of Denver before playing at the semi-professional level and winning national championships with Weber State’s men’s club team, has spent the previous 10 seasons occupying various positions on Utah Valley University’s coaching staff. During this period, Christensen helped the Wolverines to four Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular season championships, three WAC Tournament titles, and four NCAA tournament appearances. Christensen has also been coaching at club level for La Roca for the past nine seasons.
To Christensen, seeing his players excel in all areas of life, such as in the classroom, is everything.
TOP: Megan Price fights over a soccer ball during a game in 2019. BOTTOM: Weber State University Soccer on defense with Mekell Moss as goalie.
“My greatest privilege as a coach is to watch players set goals and achieve them,” Christensen said. “I love to play a little part in helping them become the best versions of themselves.”
Christensen is not the only new face on the touchline for Weber, as the 2025 season will also be the first in purple for Smith, who signed on as assistant coach in late 2024. As a collegiate player, Smith was the top scorer for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, during her freshman season before transferring to Brigham Young University to earn newcomer of the year honors and don the captain’s armband. After playing professionally for the Utah Royals in 2018, she began a coaching career that has thus far seen five high school state championships in six years, Utah High School Activities Association Coach of the Year and United Soccer Coaches Regional Coach of the Year honors, and an assistant coaching position on the Royals’ reserves during a year in which the club won staff of the year and franchise of the year in the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
Christensen and Smith have similar attitudes and aspirations concerning the upcoming season: they want to develop a championship culture that will bring them closer to titles and tournament qualifications.
“I’m passionate about helping these players reach their full potential, both on and off the field, and creating a program where they feel supported and empowered,” Smith said. “I fully believe in Head Coach Kyle Christensen and our shared vision for creating a team and environment where success thrives both on and off the field.”
The Wildcats are currently undergoing Spring training and holding friendly matches against other teams in Utah such as Utah Tech University, UVU, Snow College, Utah, and Utah State University.
Sophomore defender Isabella Sackett is ready and committed to doing what is required to be at her best when the season begins.
“We’re learning a lot about our fitness levels and how we can make them better,” Sackett said. “We can learn a lot about that from playing high level teams like Utah. I definitely need to get back into fall shape, but conditioning is obviously something we’ll be working on as well as winning our aerial battles.”
With their intentions and methods outlined clearly, Weber State will be one to watch next season.
Women’s Soccer Forward, Sammie Sofonia (8), prepares to kick the ball down the field.
Weber State University women’s soccer midfield positions, Ella Sanders (12) and Alaina Wildenradt (15), go after the ball as opposing team members close in.
Andelin Binford throws the soccer ball back into the game after it went out of bounds on Sept. 20. 2022.
Weber State University Women’s Soccer Midfield Samantha Kearns (17) dribbles the ball down the field as fellow teammates stand nearby to defend the ball.
UNA NUEVA ERA COMIENZA PARA EL EQUIPO DE FÚTBOL FEMENINO DE WEBER STATE
Por VICTORIA HERNANDEZ Traductor
Por WILL NAUGHTON Reportero
Con el nuevo entrenador Kyle Christensen y nueva entrenadora asistente Colete Smith, el equipo de fútbol femenino de la Universidad de Weber State están preparándose para una nueva era al comenzarcuando comience la temporada de otoño 2025 en agosto.
Los Wildcats tuvieron un récord de conferencia de (1-6-1) en la conferencia de Big Sky y fueron (2-13-5) en general en la temporada de otoño 2024, marcando 18 goles y recibiendo 48 en 20 partidos. Laos Wildcats buscarán una nueva inspiración en la portería, ya que la delantera Ali Swensen, fue la máxima goleadora de las Wildcats con siete goles como jugadora de tercer añojunior de la temporada pasada, y se trasladó a la Universidad de Utah. Christensen planea integrar tácticas de “alto ritmo y mentalidad ofensiva” que entusiasmen a los aficionados.
Para la próxima temporada, el equipo de fútbol femenino de Weber tendrá como objetivo jugar su camino hacia clasificación del torneo, mientras que desarrollenel desarrollo de su lista del equipo en el camino. Christensen cree que su equipo, liderado en el campo por sus alumnas de último año, tiene el corazón para producir algo especial.
“Estoy entusiasmado con la implicación de este equipo”, declaró Christensen. “Estoy encantado con el compromiso de todos y con el trabajo que están realizando. La base está ahí, y sólo tenemos que seguir dando los pasos adecuados para mejorar. Si lo hacemos, creo que tendremos éxito en un futuro próximo”.
Christensen, que fue coronado Jugador del Año de la Conferencia MPSF en su último año en la Universidad de Denver antes de jugar a nivel semiprofesional y ganar campeonatos nacionales con el equipo de club masculino de Weber Star, ha pasado las 10 temporadas anteriores
ocupando diversos cargos en el cuerpo técnico de la Universidad de Utah Valley. Durante este periodo, Christensen ayudó a los Wolverines a conseguir cuatro campeonatos de la temporada regular de la WAC, tres títulos del Torneo de la WAC y cuatro participaciones en el de la NCAA. Christensen también ha entrenado en el club La Roca durante las últimas nueve temporadas.
Para Christensen, ver a sus jugadores sobresalir en todos los ámbitos de la vida, como en las aulas, lo es todo.
“Mi mayor privilegio como entrenador es ver a los jugadores fijarse metas y alcanzarlas”, dijo Christensen. “Me encanta desempeñar un pequeño papel para ayudarles a convertirse en las mejores versiones de sí mismas”.
Christensen no es la única cara nueva en la touchline de Weber, ya que la temporada 2025 también será la primera en morado para Smith, que firmó como entrenadora asistente a finales de 2024. Como jugadora universitaria, Smith fue la goleadora máxima de la Universidad de Nevada, Las Vegas, durante su primera temporada,
antes de trasladarse a la Universidad de Brigham Young para ganar los honores de recién llegada del año y ponerse el brazalete de capitana. Después de jugar profesionalmente para los Utah Royals en 2018, comienza una carrera como entrenadora que hasta ahora ha visto cinco campeonatos estatales de secundaria en seis años, honores de Entrenadora del Año de la Utah High School Association (UHSAA) y Entrenadora Regional del Año de United Soccer Coaches, y un puesto de entrenadora asistente en las reservas de los RoOyals durante un año en el que club ganó el personal del año y la franquicia del año en la Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). Christensen y Smith tienen actitudes y aspiraciones similares con respeto a la próxima temporada: quieren desarrollar una cultura de campeonato que las acerque a los títulos y a la clasificación para torneos.
“Me apasiona ayudar a estos jugadores a alcanzar su máximo potencial, tanto dentro como fuera del campo, y crear un programa en el que se sientan apoyados y capacitados”, dijo Smith. “Creo plenamente en el entrenador Kyle Christensen y en
nuestra visión compartida para crear un equipo y un entorno donde el éxito prospere tanto dentro como fuera del campo”.
Los Wildcats están realizando actualmente entrenamientos de primavera y celebrando partidos amistosos contra otros equipos de Utah, como la Utah Tech University, la UVU, el Snow College de Utah y la Utah State University.
La defensa de segundo año Isabella Sackett está preparada y comprometida a hacer lo necesario para estar al máximo cuando empiece la temporada.
“Estamos aprendiendo mucho sobre nuestros niveles de forma física y cómo podemos mejorarlos”, dijo Sackett. “Podemos aprender mucho sobre eso jugando contra equipos de alto nivel como Utah. Definitivamente necesito volver a ponerme en forma en otoño, pero el acondicionamiento es obviamente algo en queen lo que trabajaremos, así como en ganar nuestras batallas aéreas.”
Con sus intenciones y métodos claramente perfilados, Weber State será uno de los equipos a seguir la próxima temporada.
Taylor Slack mantiene la pelota de fútbol lejos de una jugadora de los Miners en un partido del 2018.
Meet with your advisor to save time and money by planning your course schedule together. summer 2025 begins March 31 and fall 2025 begins April 7.
WSU SPIRIT SQUAD GETS SENT OFF TO NATIONALS
By GAVIN NELSON Reporter
The Weber State University Spirit Squad, consisting of cheer and dance teams, is heading to Daytona Beach, Florida, for the 2025 National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance College Nationals.
The Wildcat cheer team has become one of the most renowned college cheer teams in the country. From 2017 to 2024, the Wildcats won seven-straight national titles in the large coed competition. They also won three out of the last four grand national championships, which are given to the team with the highest score out of all divisions, in 2021, 2022 and 2024.
The Wildcats have also won two national championships in the small coed competition and the small coed grand national championship in 2024.
Summer Willis has been head coach for the cheer team for 25 years. She is the director of the Spirit Squad, and she is also the coach of the Utah Jazz Nu Skin Stunt Team, which is exclusively made up of Weber State cheerleaders.
The Weber State dance team has experienced similar success recently. The Wildcats have won four hip-hop national championships in 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2024, along with a jazz grand national championship in 2024.
Last season, the Wildcats were chosen to represent Team USA in the 2024 ICU World Championships in the premier hip-hop
A flyer hits a body position at the height of a basket skill where she is thrown a couple stories high.
category, where they took home the gold medal.
The dance team is coached by Erica Jordan, who was a captain of the Arizona State University dance team, where she was a part of their 2013 jazz national championship team.
On April 3, the Spirit Squad held a sendoff to nationals at the Dee Events Center. Both teams were able to showcase their routines for nationals in front of a few thousand supporters.
40TH NATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE LITERATURE CONFERENCE HOSTS BRET ANTHONY JOHNSON
By JARED MITCHELL Reporter
The 40th annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference was held at Weber State University on April 3-5, featuring the literary works of student writers worldwide. This year’s conference also hosted author Bret Anthony Johnston for students to connect with.
Sarah Vause, an American literature and writing professor at Weber State and the co-director for the 2025 NULC conference, said that the conference’s founding was intended to highlight Weber State students. The conference originally began 40 years ago with Sarah Vause’s father, Mikel Vause, a tenured English professor at Weber State until he retired in 2023.
“The National Undergraduate Literature Conference was set up because my dad believed that Weber State students were some of the best writers anywhere,” Sarah Vause said. “He wanted Weber State students to have opportunities to meet important writers, to be able to workshop with writers and to be able to workshop with each other for graduate students.”
Sarah Vause said that the conference helps students recognize that their voice matters.
“You’ve got small classes at Weber, and so to bring something like this that has national acclaim really is not only a bright spot for the university, but it also tells our students that what they have to write, and the stories that they’re telling, do matter as much as anybody else,” Sarah Vause said.
The NULC featured guest author who attends the conference gives talks, takes questions and works one on one with some of the students. Some featured authors from past NULC conferences include Jamaica Kincaid, Norman Mailer and Tess Gallagher. Johnston gave an hour-long talk, worked with students individually and answered various questions during an hour-long Q-and-A with students. One piece of insight Johnston gave to students was that hard
work was important if they wanted to achieve success.
“I think grit and patience and dedication matter far more than talent,” Johnston said.
“The writers that I see most often succeeding are the writers who don’t wait around for the muse. They get to the desk, and the muse shows up because the writer is already there.”
Johnston also said that the conference helps students realize how much their voice matters and understand the importance of other perspectives.
“It challenges the ways that we think about the world to encounter other incredibly intelligent, dedicated scholars and writers who are going to expand the boundaries of what we read and what we feel and what we think,” Johnston said. “You come to a conference like the National Undergraduate Literature Conference, and you feel that your voice matters. You’re exposed to other visions that matter, and it changes us for the better, and you leave feeling less alone in the world.”
Rachel Rushforth, an English major from Brigham Young University-Idaho, said she enjoyed Johnston’s talks with the students.
“I enjoyed some of the variety of comments that we had,” Rushforth said. “Like the variety of insights that we had both about the writing process and getting to know your characters as you write.”
Students who attend the conference get to present their own writing to an audience during the conference’s breakout sessions. Dylan Watts, a Weber State student, said he liked presenting his poetry to his room.
“It was awesome,” Watts said. “It was really fun to be a part of the space in the room. Everyone was very inviting, and it was awesome to share some camaraderie.”
Maddie Maschger, an English major from BYU-Idaho, said that students thinking of applying for NULC should go for it.
“I would say give it a shot because the experience is worth it,” Maschger said. “Even if you’re not good at public speaking, and you don’t like public speaking, you can
still say that you’ve done it. You can put it on your resume. You can brag about it to your parents, to your grandparents and so on and so forth.”
For more information on the next NULC, you can sign up for emails at weber.edu/ nulc.
TOP: Reese Donnelly and her sign language interpreter gives a presentation about Qiu JIn: A Forgotten Feminist of the West. BOTTOM: A student gives a presentation about British Literature.
BRET ANTHONY JOHNSTON ATIENDE A LA CONFERENCIA NÚMERO 40 DE LITERATURA DE LICENCIATURA
Por NATHANAEL STOUT
Traductor
Por JARED MITCHELL Reportero
La cuarenta Conferencia Nacional de Literatura Universitaria (National Undergraduate Literature Conference) (NULC)anual se celebró en la universidad de Weber State desde el 3 hasta el 5 de abril, mostrando las obras literarias de escritores estudiantes del mundo. El autor Bret Anthony Johnston también estaba en la conferencia y conocía a los estudiantes.
Sarah Vause, profesora de literatura y escritura americana en Weber State y la codirectora de la conferencia de NULC de 2025, dijo que la conferencia fue creada para destacar a los estudiantes de Weber State. La conferencia empezó hace 40 años con el padre de Sarah Vause, Mikel Vause, un profesor de inglés titular en Weber State hasta su jubilación en 2023.
“La Conferencia Nacional de Literatura Universitaria fue creada porque mi padre creía que los estudiantes de Weber State eran algunos de los mejores escritores en cualquier lugar”, dijo Sarah Vause. “Quería que los estudiantes de Weber State tuvieran las oportunidades de conocer a
escritores importantes, aprender de ellos, y que los estudiantes de posgrado pudieran aprender entre sí”.
Sarah vause dijo que la conferencia ayuda a los estudiantes a reconocer que su voz importa.
“Las clases en Weber son pequeñas,entonces para tener algo así que tiene fama nacional realmente no solo es un evento importante para la universidad, sino también les dice a los estudiantes que lo que hayan escrito y las historias que cuenten importen tanto como las de cualquier otra persona”, dijo Sarah Vause.
El autor invitado presentado de la NULC que asiste a la conferencia ofrece discursos, contesta respuestas y trabaja individualmente con algunos estudiantes. Algunos autores presentados de conferencias de la NULC pasadas incluyen Jamaica Kincaid, Norman Mailer y Tess Gallagher.
Johnston dio un discurso que duró una hora, trabajó con estudiantes individualmente y contestó varias preguntas durante una hora en una PyR con estudiantes. Un pedazo de conocimiento que Johnston dió a los estudiantes fue que el trabajo duro es importante si uno quiere lograr el éxito.
“Creo que la determinación, la paciencia
y la dedicación importan mucho más que el talento”, dijo Johnston. “Los escritores que tienen éxito más a menudo son los que no esperan para una musa. Ellos van al escritorio, y la musa aparece porque el escritor ya está”.
Johnston también dijo que la conferencia ayuda a los estudiantes a darse cuenta de lo mucho que importa su voz y entender la importancia de otras perspectivas.
“Desafía las maneras en que pensamos sobre el mundo para encontrar otros académicos y escritores inteligentes y dedicados que expandirán las fronteras de lo que leemos, sentimos y creemos”, dijo Johnston. “Vienes a una conferencia como la Conferencia Nacional de Literatura Universitaria, y sientes que tu voz importa. Te expone a otras perspectivas que importan, y nos cambia para lo mejor, y te vas sintiéndote menos solo en el mundo”.
Rachel Rushforth, un estudiante de inglés de la universidad de Brigham Young en Idaho, dijo que disfrutó los discursos de Johnston para los estudiantes.
“Disfruté la variedad de comentarios que tuvimos”, dijo Rushforth. “Como la variedad de perspectivas que tuvimos sobre el proceso de escribir y llegar a conocer los personajes al hacerlo”.
Los estudiantes que asistieron a la
conferencia pudieron presentar sus escritos a una audiencia durante las sesiones de grupos pequeños. Dylan Watts, un estudiante de Weber State, dijo que le gustaba presentar su poesía a su grupo.
“Fue genial”, dijo Watts. “Fue muy divertido ser parte del grupo. Todos eran muy agradables, y fue impresionante compartir un poco de camaradería”.
Maddie Maschger, un estudiante de inglés de BYU de Idaho, dijo que los estudiantes que consideren aplicar para NULC deben de hacerlo.
“Diría que lo intentes porque la experiencia vale la pena”, dijo Maschger. “Aunque no se te dé bien hablar en público y no te guste hacerlo, todavía puedes decir que lo has hecho. Puedes ponerlo en tu currículum. Puedes alardear sobre la experiencia a tus padres, a tus abuelos y lo más que sea”.
Para más información sobre la próxima NULC, puedes apuntarte para correos electrónicos en weber.edu/nulc.
Presentadores y estudiantes en una aula de clases para literatura americana.
KELLY NGUYEN
CROSSING CULTURES: MY EXPERIENCE MOVING FROM POLAND TO OGDEN
By WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK Columnist
Moving from Poland to Ogden as an international student has been more challenging than I originally thought and required me to adjust to new surroundings and contrasts fast in order to be successful in my academic journey.
One of the things I was not familiar with at all was the suburban lifestyle. In Poland, I lived in a city that is walkable, and you can rely on public transportation that can get you anywhere in a reasonable, timely manner. I will never forget trying to cross the street on Harrison Boulevard when walking to Smith’s from my dorm. I felt that drivers were not as attentive or aware of pedestrians as I was accustomed to. With time, I realized that, in Utah, a lot of people rely on cars to get around; the streets are wider and way quieter. I needed to learn how to appreciate the suburbs and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery,
which helped make up for Utah’s lack of walkability.
Another big difference was the weather. I was not used to the dry air, and in the first months, it affected my skin and even my breathing at times. The difference in the air was undeniable when I tried running outdoors. On the bright side, the dryness feels less intense in the summer.
The other very positive difference was the amount of resources available on campus.
As I have previously studied in Poland, I was surprised by how accessible and helpful the professors were at Weber State University. Education in Europe, compared to the one I got in the United States, seems more strict, without flexibility in course selection, as the students are not responsible for registering for classes; instead, they get a fixed schedule.
Additionally, the concept of general education requirements was completely new to me. In Europe, students typically focus on their major from the beginning
because at the end of high school, they pass the general education requirements through recognized exams. In my country they’re called “matura.”
These changes, though sometimes overwhelming, definitely have helped me grow as a person and expanded my horizons and knowledge. I learned how to appreciate different cultures, lifestyles and have met people from all over the world who share similar challenges as international students.
As I look back on my journey, I recognize that while moving to a new country might bring discomfort, it also brings growth. I will always carry my European background with pride, but will remember that the contrast between the two worlds has enriched my life in positive ways I would have never expected.
Wiktoria Kolodziejczyk hikes Ben Lomond with the Outdoor Program. The historic downtown of Warsaw, the capitol of Poland.
WIKTORIA KOLODZIEJCZYK
3 p.m.
WSU Softball vs. Utah Valley
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WeberStock
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