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Show NEWS A7 Renowned author inspires students to dream By Danni Freeman News Writer ^ Courtesyofkrlsradish.com Successful author Kris Radish visited campus last week. Her lecture inspired many students to not be afraid of chasing their dreams. Rushforth from Al technology is a very broad discipline and is "essentially the manipulation of nature." In day-to-day life we see biotechnology in things like genetically-modified crops and genetic medicine. With biotechnology growing rapidly in popularity not only in the sciences, but in the world, Rushforth expects to be "one of the biotechnology centers in the West." Often a focus on biotechnology means the incorporation of research on animals. But the college is planning quite the opposite. "We don't intend to go into large animal-based research," Rushforth said. "We are very, very conscientious in not causing harm to animals." The new building does incorporate a small vivarium for mice bred on campus to be used in research. Professors will also obtain animal tissues from other universities for research, but animals will not be bred or housed on campus. Though Rushforth hopes to be the best at the undergraduate level, he does not intend to compete with schools like the University of Utah and Utah State at the graduate level. He said that they hope to be the No. 1 "feeder school" for graduate programs in Utah and across the U.S. "We certainly know that we can turn out undergraduate students that are equal or better quality than anybody in the state," Rushforth said. Rushforth explained that the new building has not changed their mission, but rather given them the means to accomplish it. Rushforth's vision and mission for the college is "to continue to be an excellent undergraduate institution, to continue to be an excellent teaching institution and to become the best," he said. "That's what we're going to do." Many believe they could use a little individual democracy in their lives. This involves living a life the way one wants to live it and not relying on anyone else to tell them what to do or how to do it. This was one of the inspiring messages given in a lecture on Dec. 2 by Kris Radish, renowned journalist and best-selling author of 10 books that have been read by close to a million people. This lecture marked Radish's first return visit to Utah after 24 years, when she left her position as the Utah County bureau chief for the Deseret News to begin traveling around the world in pursuit of stories and eventually settling down in Wisconsin to write her novels. Radish's books have focused on empowering women. Radish uses her life experiences to create fictional characters who are faced with real issues that real women deal with on a daily basis. Radish knew from a young age that she wanted to become a writer, but it wasn't an easy road to get to where she is today. She had to go through skeptical teachers, bad jobs, a divorce, rejection of her novels and dishonest agents, along with the dayto-day trials everyone is faced with. But even in the face of these hardships Radish didn't give up. She knew what she wanted to be and no one could stop her. "You have to keep a fire under your dreams, no matter how it rains and pours," Radish said. Senior Lisa Beaudry recognized the importance of this in her own life. "It rains everyday in my life," Beaudry said. According to Beaudry, the presentation helped her to think about things in a different light and inspired her to continue pursuing her dreams. Even though Radish has gone through some tough times, she said she wouldn't trade these experiences for instant fame because it has helped shape who she is and has become the basis for many of her novels. Although these books carry primarily a female fan base, the issues that Radish addresses are still applicable to men as well. Jacob Guillen, a junior in the Criminal Justice program who is minoring Philosophy, said that he didn't mind Radish's sometimes feminist remarks. "I enjoyed her value to pursue her dreams through her trials," Guillen said. As Radish pursued these dreams she learned the importance of following her heart and not giving up. "We are told what to do and how to live. It is hard to step out, but once you do it's the most spiritual and wonderful thing," Radish said. "Happy endings are possible." Shane Maryott/UVU Review Dean Rushforth surveys the construction scene. His optimism for the department's future is increased by the progress of the new science building. Adoption conference touches many lives By Rachel Mills News Writer Courtesy of StochJfchntf Giving up a child for adoption can be a difficult decision, but according to a recent conference, most birth mothers that have given up their children feel it was the right decision. Everyone becomes like their parents in one way or another. There are physical characteristics that manifest themselves immediately, as well as personality traits and others that appear at different stages throughout life. On Monday, Nov. 22, an adoption conference was held at UVU. The conference was sponsored by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The keynote speaker was Barbara Smith, news anchor for ABC 4. She shared her personal story of adoption and the struggles that she went through while adopting her child. There were dozens of classes held throughout the day. Topics included: trends in international adoption, proactive adoptive parenting and psycho-education and resources for foster families who adopt. These topics only cover the surface on the deep subject of adoption. One class focused on understanding the courage of adoptive parents. It was taught by Stan Swim, currently chairman of the National Council for Adoption. He and his wife ha?e adopted children and he shared bits of his wealth of knowledge on the emotions and feelings that can come as couples embark on the adoption process. "Every person has hopes, dreams and wishes and grief that goes along with adoption," he said. Swim also said that adoption will "test communication in a marriage." % We live in a society that has laws that look to place children in homes that are "good replacements for birthparents ... and where you will love the child as if it were your own." In a very touching session titled "Birth Parent Panel Discussion," attendees discovered how to prepare for the personal and tender moments that the birth mothers shared, in regards to their experiences in placing their children. There were many adoptees in attendance of all ages. Emotions were visibly close to the surface and it was clear that they were touched. As tears ran down many cheeks, the birth mothers answered several questions. One question that seemed especially touching to many was, "Does she think of me?" The resounding answer to that question was"Yes!" "She thinks of you all the time," one of the birthmothers said. When asked if it was hard for her, knowing that her child was going to being raised by someone else, Christy, a birthmother said, "No, not at all. I believe that every child deserves a mom and a dad." That was a reoccurring theme that the birth mothers shared; they wanted their children to be raised in a home with two parents. Placing a child for adoption was, "the hardest thing I have ever had to do," said one birthmother, while another said, "placement was amazing, it was the best moment of my life; in that moment [of placement] I had just made five years of stupidity right... in that moment it was all worth it." One of the next sessions was just as touching. This session was small, yet very informative. Two birth grandmothers, Becky Hanson and Renette Goodrich, shared their firsthand experiences of being part of a family where a child was placed in the arms of another family. Both of these women are actively involved with National Families Supporting Adoption Board, also known as NSA. With all the parental love imaginable, these women have experienced a wide range of emotions as their children have placed babies with adoptive parents. They reminded attendees that adoption does not just affect the birth parents; it affects all those in the families involved. There is much focus on the birthmother and not nearly the same focus given to the experience that the grandmother may have. Hanson said these insightful words, "there is so much love in the decision to place [a child]," Goodrich shared her thoughts for those that have a child who is considering placing a child for adoption. "Your child needs your love and support. There doesn't need to be any additional punishment; the situation comes with its own pain, consequences, its own suffering," Goodrich said. "There is no extra needed from mom and dad." A valuable nugget that can be applied to everyone was shared by Kerstin Daynes, author of Infertility: Help, Hope, and Healing, an honest and reassuring book for couples trying to make sense of infertility within a Christian framework, when she said, "sometimes life doesn't work out the^way you expected. Learn to be flexible." |