Quote Board

Please note the new quote board to the right on the blog. Carlene Watson, second year MPA student, suggested we should add a quote board to the blog. Feel free to leave a comment with quotes you'd like to have posted.

I do retain the right not to add quotes that are unseemly. :)

MPA Opening Social

The MPA Fall 2010 Opening Social was held Friday, September 10th at Lion's Park.

Highlights included

• Great luau food
• Beautiful Hawaiian singers
• Tug-of-war between the first and second years

AND

• A rapping Ikani Taumoepeau

To see the now popular video of our MPA students on youtube, go to this link.

(Thanks Liz and Alisi).

Thanks to everyone who planned, participated in, and enjoyed the Opening Social.

Stay tuned for our other MPAA activities throughout the semester!

Back to school . . .

Welcome back to school!

The MPA Program welcomed the new 1st year students almost two weeks ago with orientation classes, activities, and socials.

Just a day after team introductions, the 1st years headed to Provo's CLAS ropes course to learn lessons in teamwork. The new students learned quickly to encourage their fellow team members as they experienced the rigors of the ropes course!

Fears were realized, experienced, and overcome. (Well, for most students anyway).


Highlights included (but were not limited to):
1. A pregnant Bethany Hansen requesting to be thrown in the air via the trampoline blanket.
2. A blindfolded Richard Rowley depending on his teammates to guide him as he crossed thin beams of wood.
3. A gleeful Professor Thompson smiling as he rode the giant rope swing.



























Of course, orientation wouldn't have been the same without the wonderful 2nd year "Sherpas."

While the ropes course was just the second day of orientation week, it was definitely memorable.

Stay tuned for other MPA events throughout the semester and good luck with classes!

2nd Annual Mustache Monday

Alright MPAers and MPAettes,
The time has come. Time to flash the stache and show what you can grow. That's right, in just over a week we will all bask in the awesomeness of the 2nd Annual Mustache Monday. I recommend you stop shaving, now. Keep in mind the BYU Honor Code which states that "If worn, moustaches should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth." That means you can safely grow a pencil or trash stache, but your should probably avoid the handlebar and horseshoe (see here for what not to do). There's still plenty of room for creativity, as Quincy can attest.

Last year's prize categories included Creativity, Size, Fullness, Do You Wear the Mustache or Does the Mustache Wear You?, Color, Never Ever Again, Celebrity, Must Keep, Baby Face/Peach Fuzz/Is That Even a Mustache?, and Cecil's Choice. MPAettes, if you'd like to judge the competition, comment below with a brief statement of your qualifications by next Wednesday, November 25. Below you can see some pictures from last year's smash-stache event.

To sum up . . .
When: Monday, November 30, 7:30 a.m.
Where: W410
What: Mustache Monday competition, donuts, muffins, and juice provided
Why: To express masculinity and celebrate the honor code

Interesting Article

For those MPA students who have an interest in international development and poverty alleviation, this NY Times article about women in the developing world is very thought provoking. I highly recommend reading it.

Click here to visit the article.

MPAA Opening Social Time!

Hawaiian Barbeque!!

Where: Lion's Park (1280 North 950 West, Provo)
When: Friday, September 11 at 6:00 PM
Who: MPA students, faculty, staff, and families

Let the island tunes take you to a place far away from the Tanner Building. Come feast on a Kalua Pig, BBQ chicken, and grilled pineapple catered dinner. You can also challenge your favorite professor to a hula hoop or limbo contest!

Sponsored by the MPAA and the Romney Institute of Public Management, this event is for all MPA students, faculty, staff, and their families.

DIRECTIONS:

Coming from the North:
Go south on State Street in Provo, turn west on 740 West, then turn south onto Columbia Lane. From Columbia, turn southwest (right) onto 800 West. Immediately turn right onto 1400 North. Follow this street as it turns; the park will be the first place you can turn right.

Coming from Campus or South:
Drive west on Bulldog Blvd (the street that runs next to the Tanner Building). At the intersection of State Street and Bulldog, continue straight (Bulldog turns into Columbia). From Columbia, turn Southwest (left) onto 800 West. Immediately turn right onto 1400 North. Follow this street as it turns; the park will be the first place you can turn right.

Link to MapQuest