By Carolina Tillotson
Students can contribute during the next two weeks to the construction of a new building named after President Gordon B. Hinckley.
The contributions will go toward the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitors Center, which will replace the Alumni House and serve as a gateway to campus.
Ira and Mary Lou Fulton, generous donors to BYU, said they will match student donations 5 to 1 up to $5,000 per student. Mr. Fulton said he is motivated to give because of his love for the prophet and because he has found joy in giving.
?The reason I?m doing this is real simple,? Mr. Fulton said. ?I just love our prophet to death and I want to honor him ? The biggest thing that I want is ? to get people in the habit of giving and the fun of giving ? The most important thing is that they?re participating.?
Jeff Hunt, director of the Annual Fund, said the most important factor for students is participation. He said he recognized students don?t have a lot of extra cash, and rather than worry about reaching a certain amount, it?s more important to give something than give a lot.
?We would like for every student to have the opportunity to be a part of this building by making a contribution appropriate to their circumstances,? Hunt said.
Andrea Johnson, a nursing major from Murray, said she plans to donate to the new building.
?I?m donating my love for the prophet and my love of BYU,? she said. ?I think it?s important because President Hinckley has been our prophet for most of our lives, and it?s wonderful to have an opportunity to honor him at this university ? It?s just one more way to give back to the university and honor him.?
Losaline Lautaha, a senior from Laie, Hawaii, has worked for the BYU Telefund, which calls alumni for donations, for three and a half years. She said this building is special to her because it will give the Alumni House the room they need and honor a living prophet.
?One of the keys is that this is a rare moment on campus where a building is named for a living person, and one that has touched us so deeply,? Hunt said. ?There aren?t many ways to show our outward appreciation ? but this is one way.?
Although Hunt said the building is still in design stages, Fulton said the building will be ?temple quality? because it is named after the prophet. It will be four stories, one below and three above ground. Whatever the final design is, Hunt said ?it will be an architecturally stunning building that in its prominent location will be seen.?
To find out more, students can visit alumni.byu.edu/gbhb or brochures can be picked up at any dean?s office. There will be drop boxes placed at the H.B.L.L. Front Desk, the Abraham O. Smoot Administration Building, the Alumni House and the WSC Information Desk for those wanting to give. Or contributions can be made online at byu.edu/gbhb.