By JESSICA OROZCO
The four years of renovating the Ernest L. Wilkinson Student Center have come to an end, and to celebrate, President Gordon B. Hinckley will preside the official dedication of the building on Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the plaza northwest of the ELWSC.
President Hinckley will also deliver the dedication address and prayer, said Carri Jenkins, director of media communications. Those speaking will be President Merrill J. Bateman and Alton Wade, vice president of Student Life.
“We could not be more honored to have President Hinckley come,” Wade said.
Entertainment at the dedication will be provided by the Brigham Young University Concert Choir, Jenkins said. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will also take place during the dedication.
The 30,000-foot ribbon is currently being signed east of the Terrace by the campus community, Jenkins said. It will be tied around the ELWSC for President Hinckley to cut.
In addition, a time capsule will be sealed with plans to open it in the year 2065, the ELWSC’s 100th anniversary, said Natalie Polson, guest services office assitant.
Joseph Fields, 20, a sophomore from Seattle, Wash., majoring in engineering, said he likes the idea of the time capsule.
“I think it will leave a sort of mark and history for our grandchildren to open,” Joseph said.
All students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the dedication ceremony, Jenkins said.
Many people have put forth their efforts to make the ELWSC what it is now.
“If there are real heroes, they are the ones that carried out their responsibilities and put forth their efforts. They are the real heroes,” Wade said.
Jerry L. Bishop, director of the ELWSC, said he is excited about the new building.
“I am pleased with the results and outcomes. I think the modern facilities will take us into the future,” he said.
Bishop said the official name of the building will be Ernest L. Wilkinson Student Center. He said he wanted to emphasize that the building’s main role is to serve as a student center.
Wade said the ELWSC will serve students better through the additions.
Alison Bowers, 22, a junior from Turlock, Calif., majoring in psychology teaching, said she feels fond of the ELWSC.
“The renovation was a good change. It is our student center,” Bowers said.
