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 Apostle
Speaks at Devotional and Dedicates Four Buildings
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivered a
devotional address and dedicated four building additions during his visit
to campus Feb. 24.
At the devotional, Elder Scott discussed how we live in tumultuous
times, but he also extended assurance and hope: “No matter what happens
in the world around you, your resolute study of the scriptures will
distill guiding truth to your mind and heart.”
“With all the capacity I possess, I counsel you to strengthen
continually your testimony that there is indeed a Heavenly Father who is
in control,” he said. “Your Father has a specific plan for your life. He
will reveal parts of the plan as you continue your life in faith. His Son
has made you free, not from the consequence of your acts, but free to
make choices. No matter how wicked those in the world become, you can
have that blessing.”
Earlier Elder Scott addressed the university employees and
rededicated buildings with recently completed additions and renovations:
the Ezra Taft Benson Building, the Mark Austin Building, the David O.
McKay Library, and the Joseph Fielding Smith Building and Annex.
Academic Leadership Changes
Changes in department leadership were made in January 2004. David
Pulsipher is the associate dean of the College of Religion and Social
Sciences. Paul Cox is the chair of the Department of Math, John Zirker is
the chair of the Department of Physical Education, Craig Bell is chair of
the Department of Business Management, Mel Dewsnup is the chair of the
Department of Agronomy, Grover Wray is the chair of the Department of
Sociology, Jennifer O’Farrell is the chair of the Department of Dance,
and Chris Lowry is the chair of the Department of Psychology. Ted Gashler,
a Church service missionary, is the chair of the Department of Animal
Science.
 BYU–Idaho
has a New Vice President of Student Life
James Gee ’66, former associate academic vice president, is the
new vice president of Student Life. Gee replaced Robert Wilkes, who
retired in December after 33 years of service, including the past five
years as vice president.
Gee earned an associate degree
from Ricks College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Utah State
University, majoring in political science and minoring in history. After
teaching seminary for three years, he came to Ricks in 1972 as the
supervisor of the BYU-Ricks Center. In 1986 he became the assistant
academic vice president for support services, the position he held up to
the present. Roy Huff of the Department of Religious Education has
accepted the position of assistant academic vice president.
 Robert
Wilkes Honored as Man of Excellence
Robert Wilkes of Rexburg was honored with the BYU–Idaho Man of Excellence
Award on Feb. 22. BYU–Idaho President David Bednar presented the award to
his former colleague, who recently retired after 28 years as a faculty
member and five years as Student Life vice president.
Following the presentation,
Wilkes spoke to the gathering, saying, “We’re here tonight not to model
excellence, but rather to suggest that men and women can benefit greatly
from the personal wrestle with the processes of excellence and the change
that will result there from.”
“The seeds of excellence are within each of us, but someone must
envision the possibilities…. It is possible to do, it is possible to
change, it is possible to become excellent, but we have to have the
vision to believe it.”
New
Additions to Benson Building and Austin Building Open
Additions to the Ezra Taft Benson Life Agricultural and Biological
Sciences Building and the Mark Austin Technology/Engineering Building are
now open.
The Benson addition opened in January
with 25,000 square feet of new classroom and office space and 14,500
square feet of greenhouses. The addition houses four classrooms; four
labs for biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, anatomy and
physiology; a multi-use room for agronomy and horticulture; and 13
faculty offices. The contractor was Jacobsen Construction of Salt Lake
City.
An addition to the Austin Building was completed in September by
Bateman-Hall Contractors of Idaho Falls. Approximately 10,000 square feet
were added to the southeast corner of the Austin Building with three
computer labs, two classrooms, and nine faculty offices. Additional
remodeling was done in the existing building.
Other projects in progress are the Student Health and Counseling
Center and the Thomas E. Ricks Building.
BYU–Idaho Welcomes Art Exhibits
The Spori Art Gallery brings significant visiting exhibitions to benefit
students and the community.
In January and February the gallery featured the Society of
Illustrators, sponsors of an annual touring exhibit to college campuses
around the country since 1901. This year’s exhibit came from New York
City to BYU–Idaho for the first time.
From May through June the Spori Art Gallery will present “Idaho
Passport Series”—a collection of 44 paintings by Boise artist Gertrude
Hudson depicting each of Idaho’s 44 counties. In July and August the
gallery will host the work of multi-faceted Tim Guthrie, a working artist
and teacher from Creighton University, presenting both two- and
three-dimensional work.
KBYI Celebrates 20 Years
KBYI celebrates its 20th anniversary. “Rediscover radio” through a format
of classical, jazz, and folk music, in-depth news coverage from NPR, and
KBYI’s own local news bureau. Since its origin as KRIC, KBYI continues to
be recognized for extensive, high-quality programming that inspires,
entertains, and informs. Support for the station comes from underwriting
and generous donors.
The station operates in a state-of-the-art facility in the Radio and
Graphic Services Building. The 100,000 watt, 24-hour FM station is heard
throughout southeastern Idaho, southern Montana, and western Wyoming.
Much of the day-to-day operation is conducted by students majoring in
communication. (See www.kbyi.org.)
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