TEMPE, Ariz. — Church leaders, state and university officials, students, teachers and others gathered here for the dedication of the new Tempe Institute of Religion that serves students at Arizona State University.
The dedication by Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve on Sunday, Sept. 16, was joyous as thousands celebrated the much-anticipated and long-awaited facility.
The Arizona State University campus grew around the former institute building, in use since 1964 and razed 20 months ago. For years Church Educational System officials hoped for a new building on Church-owned land in what is now the heart of campus, but were not supported by university officials.
Those involved said that changed completely when Michael Crow became ASU's president in 2002. He took the advice of a colleague and LDS Church member Brent W. Brown, who was ASU's vice president for university relations, to meet with local CES leaders.
Dr. Crow invited them, as well as all faith-based organizations, "to plant their flags of faith deep in the soil of the university" and supported their idea of a new building on campus.
University officials and Church leaders worked out a plan that would allow the institute to expand while remaining on the corner of McAllister and Terrace roads. This agreement included allowing the Church to trade a vacant lot it owned near the school's football stadium for a similar piece of property adjoining the institute to give more area for a parking garage.
The new, two-story institute building has more than 44,000 square feet that includes nine classrooms, several study rooms, two chapels, a gym, instructor's offices, a game room and kitchen.
A beautiful and unique feature, located in the main chapel, is a 20-rank pipe organ hand-built by Ohio's Schantz Organ Company. The instrument is comprised of two keyboards and more than 1,200 individual pipes; some are smaller than a pencil, while the largest is 16 feet high.
The organ, which was installed and will be maintained with donated funds, debuted with a recital Friday, Sept. 14, which featured Richard Elliott, an organist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The new institute, which opened with the start of the semester Aug. 20, already has 1,700 students registered and that number is growing. The building is designed to accommodate up to 4,000 additional students.
Adjacent is a four-level, 600-space parking garage where students may park for free on days they attend institute class.
The facility will also serve as the home for the Tempe Arizona University Stake, created in 2002, which has eight wards serving students in the Tempe area, four of which will meet in the new building.
Elder Eyring said it was a "personal and emotional moment" for him to be at the dedication and shared some history of his family's roots in eastern Arizona and their commitment to higher education.
"I am the recipient of an example, which you will be to those who follow you, that you can pursue truth and be really good at it and, at the same time, be a child of God," he told the assembly.
He said the facility, which was built with "consecrated offerings," will bless not only those who are here now, but for generations to come.
"What you obtain here in this building will add another dimension to your lives," he said. "This is because man is a child of God. It is important that we qualify ourselves in matters which will assist us in earning a living and making a contribution to the society which we live in, but there is something of divinity in each of us. It is important for that side of our nature to be cultivated and given expression.
"Here you may study the word of God; here you may worship Him in the spirit and in truth. We need the opportunity to ponder and learn these things which matter most," he said.
He added that the building will also be a place for students to mingle with peers, to laugh, to play and perhaps fall in love.
"I commend to you the precious opportunities that this facility affords; make it an important part of your lives," he said.
Elder W. Rolfe Kerr of the Quorum of the Seventy and CES commissioner, thanked all those "people of vision" who made the new building possible. He expressed particular appreciation to Dr. Crow and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for their "interest and support."
T. Dennis Barney, president of the Tempe University Stake, said he hoped the new building will be a "home away from home" for students attending school; a place where they will come to learn more about the Savior, Jesus Christ; develop their faith in Him and learn more about their Heavenly Father.
"Come and feel a peace and a spirit that we feel today," he said.
Dr. Crow spoke and recognized LDS contributions in the history of Arizona and in the founding of the university and said he's never seen people with "more talent, more energy and drive, and more stick-to-itiveness."
He pointed out positive changes that have happened on campus as officials have worked with the LDS community. "We hope that parents can feel more and more comfortable about their children being here," he said.
He said he supports "faith-based education," believing that it adds to the "whole person."
He noted that the event was more than the dedication of a building, but a "rededication of a central principle of the United States — freedom of religion."
Governor Napolitano spoke of the successful partnership in recent years of state officials and Latter-day Saints in meeting community needs and in other projects.
"The future of Arizona is a very bright one indeed. The future of our partnership is a bright one indeed," she said.
Sean Chitwood, an ASU senior and president of the Tempe Institute Student Council, said that students are excited to have a "haven" again.
"It is somewhere we can truly call our own," he said. "After more than 18 months, it's coming back," he added, "you can feel that strength again on campus."
Michael Lambert, assistant to the area director for CES, said that he hoped that the purpose of the building would not be forgotten.
"The whole purpose of CES and institute is to learn of the Savior and draw closer to Him," he said. "We hope that students will follow the prophet, and enroll in institute."
