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SALT LAKE CITY
— For the first time in the history of Brigham Young
University-Idaho, formerly Ricks College, a building will be named after a
current president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BYU-Idaho President
David Bednar today announced that a recently
completed 54,000-square-foot building will be named after President Gordon
B. Hinckley. President Bednar said the building,
which was constructed primarily to create meeting space for Latter-day
Saint student congregations, is a perfect tribute to President Hinckley,
who will "have a legacy and impact on this campus that will last
forever."
That legacy
includes a decision two years ago by President Hinckley to change Ricks
College to a four-year university and rename it Brigham Young
University-Idaho. President Bednar explained that
President Hinckley values education and, as a member of the Church’s
Board of Trustees, has urged members of the Church to pursue academics,
most recently at BYU-Idaho’s April commencement exercises.
Twelve
congregations of students will meet for their Sunday services in the new
Gordon B. Hinckley Building, which includes a chapel, gymnasium,
multipurpose area, two full kitchens and numerous classrooms. The building
also contains large lobby-like areas and a vestibule with large windows
overlooking botanical gardens.
Administrative Vice
President James Smyth said: "It’s a very beautiful building, and
I think the students will thoroughly enjoy it. There are places were they
can just sit and study and ponder."
The design for the
building is the same used to build institute buildings on campuses at Idaho
State University, Dixie College and Salt Lake Community College. Smyth said
that aside from Sunday worship, the Gordon B. Hinckley Building will be
used during the week for religion and health classes and for the
school’s activities program.
The building is
situated at the highest point on campus, making it the most visible
building from a distance. President Bednar said,
"There couldn’t be a more appropriate name for this building
that looks out over this campus than the Gordon B. Hinckley Building."
The Gordon B.
Hinckley Building will be dedicated 22 October 2002 as part of the
school’s weekly devotional.
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