BYU 150: Reflecting on the sesquicentennial school year

Brigham Young University President C. Shane Reese opened the school year with a devotional address at the Marriott Center.

"My dear students, the answer to darkness is light. The answer to evil is Christ," Reese said. "He is the ultimate gift of light. And the goal for you and me this year our 150th year as a university is to grow, to celebrate and to share His light."

Under the theme "Celebrating Gifts of Light," the BYU 150 celebration featured many unique events to emphasize this milestone in school history, as well as historic events related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Russell M. Nelson passed away on Sept 27 at age 101. On Oct 14, President Dallin H. Oaks was announced as the 18th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On Oct 16, known as Founders Day, a BYU time capsule from 1976 was opened at Brigham Square in front of students, faculty and alumni.

The items from 1976 were put on display at the Wilkinson Student Center for public viewing. Items included Gifford Nielsen's No. 14 football jersey, a BYU centennial flag, a newspaper from The Daily Universe and more.

As part of the Celebrating Gifts of Light theme, eight BYU 150 Nights of Light were held. Each night, the campus stayed open late for students and faculty to participate in unique BYU experiences.

Athletics was very successful in the university's milestone year. It was the Cougars' third season in the Big 12 Conference.

The Cougars made their first appearance in the Big 12 Championship game, where they lost to Texas Tech. In Miami, they beat Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, finishing the season 12-2.

BYU womens soccer made history in November as the first No. 8 seed to win the Big 12 Conference Tournament, defeating Kansas 1-0.

On Dec 1, a Night of Light was held at Brigham Square. The event featured Christmas projections on the Harold B. Lee Library and the new BYU Arts Building.

Most notably, Giving Machines were introduced on campus that evening for the first time, as well as a Christmas tree lighting. Campus music groups performed, and a live nativity caught attention as the campus community celebrated the Christmas season.

Campus life also celebrated the sesquicentennial in smaller ways. On Jan 12, the new BYU Creamery on Ninth East held its grand opening celebration. Located right behind the old Creamery building, the new location is 71% larger.

Throughout the school year, the BYU Creamery had a limited-edition ice cream flavor. The 150 Swirl included white chocolate brownie and blue mint ice cream.

The Cougar Paw, a paw-shaped chocolate-covered ice cream bar, was also introduced at the Creamery.

For the first time since President Nelson's address in 2019, a sitting president of the Church spoke at a campus devotional.

President Oaks spoke to the Marriott Center crowd, filled to capacity, with the devotional being broadcast to members and friends throughout the world.

"My dear brothers and sisters, it is good to be here," Oaks said to begin his talk. "You are an audience greatly loved by the Lord, and He desires all of you to return to His presence."

Oaks was president of BYU during the university's centennial.

"With the consecration and leadership of this community, BYU 'will become the great university of the Lord not in the worlds way but in the Lords way,'" Oaks said, referencing a BYU leadership conference in 2017.

Caleb Rogers, BYU student body president, said his favorite moment from this year was President Oaks's devotional.

"The Marriott Center was packed, and the energy was palpable. But to be in the room when the prophet walks in, everyone stands, and silence ensues theres nothing like that," Rogers said. "Above all, to hear President Oaks share the message that this university, BYU, will become the great university of the Lord that is something I will always remember."

BYU athletes also made national headlines this year. In March at the 2026 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, BYU freshman Jane Hedengren won the 5,000-meter title with a time of 15:00.2 and the 3,000-meter title with a meet-record time of 8:36.31.

Hedengren became the first BYU woman to win two individual NCAA titles at the same championship and she was named the USTFCCCA National Womens Track Athlete of the Year.

AJ Dybantsa led the men's basketball team to the NCAA tournament for the 33rd time in school history. Dybantsa is the projected number one overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, according to national sports outlets.

On April 7, as the school year ended, President Reese and Vice President Keith Vorkink packed a new time capsule to be opened in 2075.

In the new time capsule set to be opened in 50 years, a Richie Saunders jersey was included, along with Jane Hedengren's jersey and bib from her national title races, an iPhone, pennies and more.

After a school year of many on-campus celebrations, BYU's sesquicentennial year comes to a close. BYU 150 sets the stage for the next 50 years, carrying forward the light celebrated throughout the year

"Being a student during the BYU sesquicentennial has been such an incredible experience. I feel lucky that my last year at BYU happens to be this year," Rogers said. "All of the events and celebrations have been focused on sharing the unique, divinely appointed mission of this university."