Heidi Shaw always knew that she would attend Weber State University, so it was no surprise to her when she found herself on campus in 1988.
“When I was a senior in high school, the Weber State cheerleaders came to Bonneville High, where I went to school,” Shaw said. “They did this whole big thing, trying to recruit people to try out for their cheer team, and I’m like, ‘That sounds cool.’ So, I tried out and made it.”
Shaw spent four months attending the university as a cheerleader, during which time she met her husband.
“I had a class every Tuesday and Thursday in the Social Science Building. I would walk from Lindquist Hall up to the Lind Lecture Hall,” Shaw said. “My husband was coming from Lind Lecture Hall down to Lindquist Hall, the opposite way. We would pass each other every Tuesday and Thursday. I just noticed him and thought, ‘There’s something about him that is super cool.’”
Shaw’s twin sister set the two up on a date, and they eventually married. Shaw recalled that their very first conversation was in front of the David O. McKay Library in the Weber State Institute of Religion. The Institute and the Shepherd Union Building became the pair’s favorite places to spend time with each other and friends on campus.
“I loved it up here. It was really social,” Shaw said. “I had all the friends that I made on the cheer team, which led to meeting other people, and I loved the classes.”
Four months after her marriage, Shaw became pregnant, and dropped her classes to pursue other priorities.
After 23 years away from school and the death of her husband, Shaw returned to school and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Family Studies with a minor in University Studies through Brigham Young University-Idaho online.
Two months after the death of her husband a friend approached her and asked her a question.
“He asked, ‘Have you ever thought about teaching seminary?’ And I’m like, ‘No’,” Shaw said. “He said, ‘Because maybe you should’ When he asked me that question, it just felt right, and I just knew.”
Shaw went through a training program and was first hired as a seminary instructor at Bonneville High School. This is her first year back at Weber State University.
“Being up here on campus now, I feel like I’m coming back home,” Shaw said.
Shaw expressed her love for the community and for the students that she works with, and offered some parting advice to current college students.
“This time of life for your age is foundational. You’re setting up the rest of your life. You’re laying the foundation of your careers. You’re going to maybe meet your spouse, and determine your belief system,” Shaw said. “Take it seriously, but have fun doing it. Have fun, date, be social, talk to people, but at the same time, realize that you’re in the decade of decisions.”
