LETTER: Parkhurst was an asset
To the editor:
Monday’s front page article in the Statesman titled “ASUSU exec. council removes Parkhurst”, regarding why Skyler Parkhurst left office was misleading and inaccurate. The executive council did not vote him out. He left for personal reasons.
It states in Monday’s article that Parkhurst’s removal from office was executed through a two-thirds majority vote by the executive council. This is false. Only elected officers can be removed by a two-thirds majority vote, Skyler is an appointed officer. It is disappointing that the Statesman chose to inaccurately exploit a fellow student and mislead readers regarding such a personal matter. I find that classless. The work that Parkhurst took on as the Arts and Lectures director raised the bar for this position.
Our goal as a programming board this year was to produce memorable events. Skyler did just that. The BJ Novak event, while controversial, raised awareness regarding how fee money is spent. Students actually began to voice their opinion on the matter. I haven’t seen such student involvement in my five years at Utah State regarding an event. Parkhurst made a bold move, and it generated local and statewide publicity for the university, in addition to being a memorable event.
Skyler brought former skin-head and neo-Nazi TJ Leydon. This lecture became part of Utah State’s Think, Care, Act campaign. Typically these types of lectures are low in attendance; however, a large crowd left the TSC Ballroom that night with a new perspective regarding hate and discrimination. Again, a memorable event surrounded by great publicity.
Most recently, Parkhurst brought to campus former NBA Jazz star Jeff Hornacek. Jeff spoke to a packed TSC ballroom. Parkhurst’s idea to have a shoot-off with Aggie basketball player Brian Green after the lecture drew a great crowd and got people excited about the basketball season. Student’s took pictures with Jeff and got Jazz memorabilia signed. It was a great night that won’t be forgotten.
Skyler was a great asset to the programming board and will be missed. On behalf of the programming board, advisers, and the executive council, I thank Skyler for raising the bar.
Tom Atwood