Friday Forum features CEUSA leaders

This archived article was written by: Kellie Henderson

CEUSA leaders and the LDS Utah area president spoke about getting the most of your college experience, the value of service and a political hot topic at Friday Forum on Sept. 13 and 20.
Andrew Hardman, CEUSA president, spoke with other student government leaders on his driving beliefs and values. Hardman asked the audience to think of a person in their life who loves them, “How do you know? How did it make you feel?”
Love, Hardman notes, motivates us to do things for that person. His mom loves him, so he wanted to do chores and be helpful to her. This is also a motivating factor in his LDS beliefs. He ended his address by emphasizing the student’s power of influence. Everyone has the power to change their life and the lives of those around them. He urged the students to not be afraid, have faith, get involved and share the love.
Danielle Tremelling, 2008 Miss CEU and vice president of academics, spoke about her experience at the college. Tremelling has been involved in various clubs and service projects around campus including the Eagle dance team, the adopt-a-grandparent program, blood donations and taking notes for the disability resource center. Activities, clubs, volunteer work, and her faith are all important to her because they allow her to meet new people, gain experience and make her happier, she said.
Davie Cox, vice president of activities, urged students to serve, citing his LDS faith as his reason for giving service. Giving can include sharing talents through a club on campus or working on a SUN center project, said Cox. The more service you give to your fellow men, the more substance you add to your soul.
Amy Lofley ended Sept. 13’s forum with her thoughts. Lofley’s address differed from the previous speakers’ emphasis on service and instead talked about finding balance while being involved on campus. Lofley rates activities and duties on a scale of good, better, to best in order to use her time effectively. It’s okay to say no, she says, and recommends setting priorities and making goals, and remembering that people are at their happiest when they have personal relationships with others.
Elder Ronal A. Rasband, Sept. 20 Forum speaker, serves as a part of the First Quorum of the Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the area supervisor for the Utah Salt Lake City, Utah South, and Utah North areas. Rasband had the opportunity to serve members of the Eastern Utah community during the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster by visiting the families of the injured miners. After introducing himself, he opened himself up to questions from the audience. A variety of questions led him into a brief explanation of his duties as an Area President and the specifics of his calling.
One audience member prompted him to discuss the church’s position on the gay rights issues taking place in California. First, Rasband noted that this is a civil issue about the power of the people, as well as a religious issue. A law already exists in the state that marriage is only between a man and a woman, but was overruled by the California Supreme court. In November, residents will vote on Proposition 8 and decide whether or not to reinstate the law.
Friday Forum is a weekly institute class, at noon, open to the public in the red brick church on Veterans Lane. This week’s forum will feature Sister Toronto, and afterward, a lunch will be provided for the women. There will be a dutch oven dessert on Friday at 6 p.m. Those attending will meet at the institute building on 410 east and 400 north and carpool to Brother Cardon’s home. Also, a blood drive will be held in the institute building’s basement on Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.