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Inauguration Insights from Around the World

Viewers from around the world share their thoughts regarding the recent installment of President Gilbert

From Tonga to Brazil and from Utah to Connecticut, thousands of students, instructors, missionaries, and employees came together to witness the historic installment of Clark G. Gilbert as the first president of BYU-Pathway Worldwide .

With thousands watching at home and hundreds in attendance, the inauguration connected every viewer as they witnessed this historic event.

Take a look at what some of the viewers of the inauguration had to say about the event!

Elder Arthur Condé — Service Missionary assigned to BYU-Pathway and BYU-Idaho Online Student (São José do Rio Preto, Brazil)

“This inauguration set the pace and importance of this organization in the hearts of many. The Spirit we felt strengthened our willingness to share that invitation to come to the temples of knowledge. I give my testimony that this program really comes from the Lord. It leads us closer to Him and expands our understanding about everything we must do to accomplish what He expects from us.”

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Pathway Missionary Elder Condé with three PathwayConnect students.

Tracey Prescott — PathwayConnect Student (Tongatapu, Tonga)

“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I had to watch the inauguration. I strongly felt the love Heavenly Father and the Savior has for each and every one of us. I am grateful for this beautiful and amazing program that Heavenly Father, through His prophet and apostles, created to bless my life and many others.”

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Tracey Prescott with her husband and children.

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Ismar Vallecillos

Ismar Vallecillos — BYU-Pathway Worldwide Area Manager

“As I sat looking at the apostles seated on the stand at the inauguration, I had two distinct impressions. First, BYU-Pathway Worldwide is here to stay. And second, what this program will become and the impact it will have on the members of the Church is far greater than anything we have seen so far.”

Terry Barclay — PathwayConnect Student (Hartford, Connecticut)

“As I watched the inauguration, I felt gratitude and hope for the people around the world who have this affordable option to attend school, graduate and be more self-reliant. President Gilbert spoke about building disciples of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father brought me to PathwayConnect to get the teaching and education I need to be more self-reliant and to learn to teach, lead, and become the disciple that our Heavenly Father wants me to be.”

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Terry Barclay with his daughter at the Hartford Connecticut Temple.
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Melissa Everett

Melissa Everett — BYU-Idaho Online Instructor Manager (Lehi, Utah)

“I felt incredible joy and happiness for my brothers and sisters in the gospel that would have the opportunity to obtain a faith-based education that wouldn’t otherwise have been possible. My heart is full of gratitude to be a tiny part of a huge endeavor to share Church-based education throughout the world without physically having to attend a Church school.”

Sister Carolyne Schwenke — Service Missionary assigned to BYU-Pathway (Gold Coast, Australia)

I firmly believe BYU-Pathway Worldwide will become a unique and unprecedented standard and beacon of higher learning like no other education model in the world. I’m excited to see how this program unfolds over the years. As my husband and I have served as missionaries, BYU-Pathway has helped us grow and strengthen our marriage relationship, which was already strong.

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Service missionaries Elder and Sister Schwenke

Bryan Pope — BYU-Pathway Worldwide Curriculum Director

“I’ve struggled to put into words what happened to me at the inauguration. As the event began, I reflected back at all that the Lord has done to make education available to members locally. I have seen God’s hand upon Pathway, and I feel immense gratitude to be a part of this work. When the students gave their welcome to President Gilbert , I felt how PathwayConnect had affected their lives, and I could not restrain the tears. I left the inauguration in awe having witnessed God doing His work and in complete joy that I get to be part of it.”

Check out the BYU-Pathway Worldwide Facebook page to watch the inauguration and learn more about the program!