This is unexpected in many ways, not the least to see my son Henry Christian and his wife Brooke here. They, as far as I knew, were in Boston today. I'm crying both for the joy of their sacrifice and also to think what it might have cost them to get here. We'll talk about that later.
I am grateful for today's historic announcement of the creation of BYU-Pathway Worldwide, and the appointment of my dear friend, Clark Gilbert, as its founding president. I have been blessed to work with President Gilbert both professionally and ecclesiastically over three decades. I know of no one of greater heart and energy, character, and enthusiasm. Like you, I am inspired by the mission of the newly created BYU-Pathway Worldwide. As President Gilbert and his colleagues go forward now in their mission to take education to a worldwide church, we at BYU-Idaho will be a kind of home ward to them, supplying essential support. I'm grateful for consecrated colleagues on this campus who already support Pathway's mission with online curriculum and academic services. We have felt the blessing of providing this support, and we will strive for continued inspiration in increasing the university's capacity, according to prophetic pronouncements and promises made over many decades.
I'm also grateful to my BYU-Idaho colleagues for their unstinting service to ever more students on this campus. I have enjoyed the sweet fruits of their labors in a very personal way through three of my children who are well-educated and appreciative BYU-Idaho alumni. This campus, generations now, has been hallowed ground to my family.
We look forward to continued service in this richly blessed portion of the Lord's vineyard. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.