Building possibilities with Fulton’s help

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BYU’s Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology has plans for an additional building when funding comes through.

The possibility of a new engineering building has flown under the radar as most students and staff eagerly watch the new Life Sciences Building come to completion.

Ira A. Fulton, for whom the College of Engineering and Technology is named, pledged to match student fundraising up to $1 million when he spoke to the college earlier this month.

“So many people today just don’t want to let go of their assets,” Fulton said in an interview with BYU Magazine. “People ask me why I don’t want to be a billionaire. Becoming a billionaire means zilch to me because you can’t take it with you. Now, to give away a billion dollars — that’s important.”

According to the College of Engineering and Technology website, “Ira A. Fulton, namesake for the BYU College of Engineering and Technology and a generous philanthropist, is providing a dollar-for-dollar match up to $1 million to help you make a real difference with your donation towards the new engineering building.”

The match in donations only applies to donations made between Oct. 9 and Dec. 31, 2014. The College of Engineering and Technology encourages all to participate in this small window of opportunity.

Ben Lesa, a 27-year-old senior studying civil engineering, is grateful for the Fulton match. Lesa appreciates the generous donation. “It (the match) also gives us the opportunity to donate and invest back to the school that has already invested in us,” Lesa said.

The majority of students are not aware of the plans underway. Nicklaus Stephens is a 25-year-old at BYU, studying civil engineering, who believes that with the current equipment and available facilities, a new building is needed.

A Youtube video teaser trailer was released for the potential new BYU Engineering building. (Screenshot)
A YouTube video teaser trailer was released for the potential new BYU Engineering building. (LDS Philanthropies YouTube Channel)

Stephens feels the current facilities and equipment are outdated, which hinders the students’ learning experience. “We’re not as ready as we would hope to be when we step out into the job field,” he said.

Stephens hopes to see more focus on each individual department with the expansion of space and new equipment.

Since 1973, the Clyde Building has been the home for engineering students. There is now a need for more space as well as new types of space. The plans for the new engineering building include flexible classrooms, team rooms, study areas and more research labs.

The new building will also feature a Student Innovation Center on the entire first floor. This area will present students with the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. New equipment and facilities will better prepare BYU students for engineering challenges they may face in the future.

According to the BYU Engineering website, “The new engineering building will communicate a sense of excitement and vision about engineering at BYU. It indicates the university’s willingness to invest in the next generation of engineers and technical leaders. The addition of this building will signal BYU’s continuing commitment to be on par with the best engineering educational institutions in the world.”

Located southeast of campus, the new engineering building will be next to the Clyde Building. Estimated to be 200,000 square feet and to stand five stories tall, the new building will be connected to the Clyde Building on the above-ground levels.

Along with the construction of the new building, the Clyde Building will also have remodeling and renovating done. The construction will begin once the project has obtained the proper funding.

Those who would like to contribute to the College of Technology and Engineering Building may donate here. To learn more about the development and details of the engineering building, visit the engineering website.

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