For the second time in two years, the symbolic first soil was turned here as ground was broken for a new building on the campus of Ricks College.
Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve, representing the Ricks College Board of Trustees, broke ground July 1 for construction of the Spencer W. Kimball Student and Administrative Services Building. The two-story, 70,000-square-foot building, named after the 12th president of the Church, will be built on the south portion of campus just east of the nearly completed John Taylor Religion Building. The Kimball Building is expected to completed in 1999.Two years ago, on June 29, 1995, ground was broken for the new religion building. It is scheduled to be dedicated on Sept. 16, by President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency.
Assisting Elder Scott in the groundbreaking of the student and administrative services building were Elder Max W. Craner, Area Authority Seventy; G. Paul Sorensen, administrator of finance and budget for the Church Educational System; Edward Kimball, the youngest child of President Spencer W. and Camilla Kimball, and his wife, Bee; and the new Ricks College Pres. David A. Bednar. Pres. Bednar replaces Steven D. Bennion, who is now president of Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. (See May 31, 1997, Church News.)
A crowd of some 700 attended the groundbreaking ceremonies, including faculty, staff and students; campus ecclesiastical leaders; and local community leaders and citizens.
During his remarks, Elder Scott expressed gratitude in taking part in the groundbreaking. "This is one of the places on earth I just rejoice coming to. There's always a special spirit in the air as you approach Ricks College. The oneness that exists between the student body, administration and staff,
with itsT professionally communicated truths and the ecclesiastical leaders is unique in all the word.
"I think it is very fitting that the same physical facility that will house services for students and administration is similar to the oneness that is here at this wonderful college."
Elder Scott said he was thrilled with naming the building after President Kimball, who led the Church from 1973 to 1985. He explained that if every student would search out and look into the life of President Kimball, "they would find characteristics that will bless their lives to have them incorporated into their being. I know he and his wife
Camilla Eyring KimballT have had a profound effect on my life. As I travel through the world, I find that there are thousands of individuals who he has served and were personal close friends of his."
The new Kimball Building will house the executive offices, including the office of Ricks College president; 18 college departments; and 191 work stations. The building will be 315 feet long and 120 feet wide. An atrium in the center of the building will provide natural light for the offices.
