President's Welcome

Kim B. Clark

One hundred twenty-one years ago on a cold, clear day, this institution opened its doors for young students to receive a quality, Church-based education. The new school “was to give spirituality precedence over worldliness; the principles of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ were to be taught side-by-side with arithmetic, geography, reading, and other ... subjects.”¹ Principal Jacob Spori said, “The seeds we are planting today will grow and become mighty oaks, and their branches will run all over the earth.”²

With just 85 students enrolled during the school's inaugural term, Principal Spori had no way of knowing the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecy he made that day. But now, 121 years and more than 165,000 alumni later, we can see just what he was talking about.

Though many things have changed since those days when tuition was just four dollars per term, one thing stands constant: Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a quality, Christ-centered education.

Today, physical walls do not define the scope of a BYU-Idaho educational experience. With the continual development of innovative technologies, a BYU-Idaho education can be obtained not only in campus buildings in Rexburg, but at many other locations throughout the world. From online learning to distance education to peer-to-peer interaction via the Internet, BYU-Idaho is embracing technology for the benefit of its students wherever they are located.

In this first online-only edition of BYU-Idaho magazine, you will not only read about wonderful technological advances that are helping to spread educational opportunities to many more individuals, you will see them. Please take some time to look through the photos, watch the videos, and experience for yourself the wonderful things that are happening at this institution. I believe you will find them to be inspiring.

The Lord is truly moving His work forward at this institution. I encourage you to visit us often online and see the remarkable innovations taking place. As always, thank you for your interest and support of BYU-Idaho.