In the News
Students showcase smarts in 2026 annual Spanish Spelling Bee
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Weber State University’s 2026 Spanish Spelling Bee and Language Talent Competition promotes bilingual education, literacy, and cultural connection among fourth- through eighth-grade students. Through spelling rounds and role-play activities, participants build language skills while gaining confidence and real-world communication experience. Students, parents, and educators highlight the importance of maintaining Spanish and celebrating diverse cultural backgrounds. Organizers hope to sustain the program’s impact by encouraging students to remain engaged and eventually return as mentors or judges, continuing a tradition that supports language learning and cultural pride.
‘A really sad loss’: Weber State students talk about life after closing campus centers in DEI purge
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Weber State University students are navigating a shift in campus life following the closure of identity-based cultural centers in 2025, a change tied to Utah’s HB261 legislation restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Students say the loss of spaces such as the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and Black Cultural Center has reduced visibility, access to community-specific resources, and opportunities for connection. While the university consolidated services into a centralized Student Success Center to support all students, many report challenges in finding belonging and maintaining cultural engagement. As Weber State adapts to the new structure, students and staff continue working to rebuild connections, though some say the absence of dedicated spaces has left a lasting gap in representation and community on campus.
Creative writing major headed to Italy to compete in 2026 Winter Paralympics
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Weber State University creative writing major Noah Bury will represent Team USA in the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, competing in men’s para alpine slalom skiing. Ranked 32nd in the world, Bury discovered competitive adaptive skiing after working at Snowbasin Resort and now trains with the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado. Born with tibial hemimelia and amputated below the knee as an infant, he credits ingenuity, community, and perseverance for his success. As he prepares for his first Paralympics, Bury looks forward to gaining experience on the world stage and building toward future medal contention.
Weber State student brings musical theatre to life with heightened experience for Deaf, blind
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Weber State University musical theatre student Audree Clark is transforming accessibility in the performing arts through her research and creative vision. Inspired by her background in American Sign Language and her passion for performance, Clark is developing a musical theatre production designed specifically for Deaf and blind audiences. Combining artistry with advocacy, she brings together tactile experiences, audio description, and inclusive casting to make the stage a place where everyone can connect, experience, and belong.
³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø awards faculty for achievements in theater arts, energy efficiency
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Weber State University theatre professor and School of Performing Arts chair Jessica Greenberg brings creativity and innovation to the stage through her award-winning lighting design and student-focused leadership. With credits ranging from the Utah Shakespeare Festival to New York theaters, Greenberg combines professional expertise with a passion for mentorship, helping students build confidence, refine their craft, and earn national recognition in the performing arts.
Meet the ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø student, local artist who created 339 shorebirds from reclaimed acrylic
Weber State University fine arts student Janika Linville brings awareness to the beauty and fragility of the Great Salt Lake through her large-scale installation featuring 339 shorebird species crafted from reclaimed acrylic. Inspired by her love of birdwatching and the outdoors, Linville’s work highlights themes of connection, care, and ecological balance while reflecting the strong sense of community she’s found in ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø’s art program.
³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø Salutes honors contributions of alumni, community leaders
Dedicated Weber State University alumni and impactful community leaders will be honored at the 56th Annual ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø Salutes ceremony on Friday, Oct. 10.