Tomorrow marks 25 years since the announcement that Ricks College would become BYU-Idaho. The announcement, made by Gordon B. Hinkley, the Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the time, came as a shock to many. The change, however, has had lasting positive effects for the students and the staff who cross the campus.
“We’re pleased to announce that Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho will change from its present two-year junior college status to a four-year institution,” President Hinkley said. “A new four-year school will be known as Brigham Young University Idaho, with a name change designed to give the school immediate national and international recognition.”
BYU-Idaho’s mission “is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who are leaders in their homes, the Church, and their communities,” which creates an overwhelming environment of peace and joy that everyone can feel.
“Even today as a teacher if I have my hands full of something, somebody's always opening a door or asking can they carry something even though they're going in the opposite direction,” said Ryan Hansen, a sports advisor with Campus Recreation at BYU-Idaho. “That’s some of the hallmarks of a campus that cares about people and is looking after you and is welcoming, and so that's still here.”
Hansen was a student at Ricks College and BYU-Idaho. The hashtag “Why BYUI” has been shared by students, alumni and staff alike to share what makes BYU-Idaho so important to them. Hansen shared His Why BYUI.
“Two years later there was a position, and I didn’t even have to think about it,” Hansen said. “My boss at the other place where I was working said, ‘We’ll give you a raise, we’ll give you more money, a title’ and all of these other things. It just wasn’t something I had to think twice about it really. BYU-Idaho is the place that I need to be.”
Brett Sampson, the managing director of University Relations at BYU-Idaho, remembers the day of the announcement like it was yesterday. He says the announcement was followed by an erupting applause. He says the announcement has opened up avenues for students they wouldn’t have at any other institution.
“Why BYUI? Because I don't know of another place like BYU-Idaho and Rexburg on earth,” Sampson said. “To come here and to experience opportunities to grow and learn in a well-rounded way and understand what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus Chris is why BYU -Idaho is even here and why I love being here.”
Izabella Hall will graduate from BYU-Idaho this year and is finishing up a Strive to Be internship with the Church of Jesus Christ. She has also worked with BYU-Idaho’s social media pages and worked on the Why BYUI campaign last fall, which she says helped her succeed in her internship.
“I just kept being prompted and pushed towards BYUI and I came here and just like I've kind of said all the right doors opened up for me to be able to achieve not only my career goals but also become a better disciple of Jesus Christ and gain a Christ centered to education,” Hall said.
Celebrate 25 years of the announcement of BYU-Idaho tomorrow by sharing your #WhyBYUI.