The Harold B. Lee Library
“Lighting the Way,” BYU‘s 46-month capital campaign, raised $411,718,438 for BYU and BYU–Hawaii. “We exceeded our initial goal,” says BYU President Merrill J. Bateman,”and we’re most grateful for that. As a result the university is in a much stronger position to serve the kingdom and to build Zion than it could ever have been without that support.” Campaign funds are already being used to increase distance learning opportunities, conduct new research, and enhance many university programs.
The campaign’s major achievements include
- expansion of both the Howard W. Hunter Law Library and the Harold B. Lee Library;
- more than $112.9 million for learning enhancement priorities such as professorships, chairs, visiting professorships, and young scholar awards;
- more than $59.5 million for student scholarships and assistantships in all colleges and departments on both the Provo and Laie campuses;
- almost $15 million for the Ezra Taft Benson Agriculture and Food Institute, the Lytle Desert Preserve, the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, and the Skaggs Ranch;
- a $4.3 million endowment for the traveling performing groups;
- more than $4 million for the Family Studies Center;
- $2.8 million for the Center for Entrepreneurship;
- $1.8 million for the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies and the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative;
- more than $1.2 million for the Religious Studies Center.
Bateman sees those accomplishments as a springboard for the future. “The work has just begun,” he says. Future initiatives will focus on BYU‘s four institutional objectives: educate the minds and spirits of students, advance truth and knowledge, extend the blessings of learning to Church members in all parts of the world, and develop friends for the university and the Church.
“We’re so grateful for the efforts of everybody who was involved in the ‘Lighting the Way’ campaign,” says Bruce M. Snow, executive director of development for BYU and BYU–Hawaii. “As BYU‘s worldwide influence grows, we’re going to need continued input and support from those who have been helpful in the past. And we want to extend an invitation for others to join us as we strive to accelerate the work.”
