A Colorful Challenge

Weber State University President Charles A. Wight has studied dangerous explosives during his career as a chemistry professor, had a sledge-hammer bust a cement block on his stomach while lying on a bed of nails, and even had a boa constrictor snaked around his shoulders, all joyfully done in the name of education. In April 2015, however, he faced what may have been the scariest challenge yet: finger painting with the enthusiastic youngsters from WSU’s Melba S. Lehner Children’s School and the WSU Charter Academy.

Wight accepted the finger-painting challenge as part of the annual Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Bestselling author Richard Paul Evans, of The Christmas Box fame, issued the challenge on campus during the 2015 Utah Early Childhood Conference, where he was the keynote speaker.

Wight painted a purple rendition of the Stewart Bell Tower. His wife, Victoria Rasmussen, painted a delightful Wildcat. Joining them was Jack Rasmussen, dean of the Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education. The three, dressed in white jumpsuits, also allowed the children to paint directly on them.

“Weber State University values all education — whether it’s a college education or promoting the development and imagination of young people,” Wight said. “And who could resist something as fun as this?”

75: The number of children who participated in the FINGERPAINTING challenge at WSU