Opening Ceremony & Torch Lighting

With Sister Clark

 

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Kirkham Auditorium/Spori Quad

 

Torch Lighting Ceremony
Both students and employees will be selected to participate in the torch lighting ceremony, which will held in the Kirkham Auditorium and on the Spori Quad.

 

Nominate a Torch Bearer

Nominate a student or employee today to serve as a torch bearer. Those being nominated should emulate the Spirit of Ricks. Nominations should include how this person has demonstrated love, humility, obedience and/or faith. Nomination Forms will be accepted through September 22, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Torch Lighting History
For more than a century, the torch has been a symbol connected with BYU-Idaho. The picture below is the torch stone which was included in the original Jacob Spori building, built in 1903. It is a symobl of the light of understanding and its radiating influence.

The torch parade and the use of large lit letters began in 1915. The classes of 1915 and 1916 wanted to leave “a lasting memento” of their stay on campus, so they decided to raise money to install 15-foot incandescent lights shaped in an “R” and an “A” on the roof of the Spori building for Ricks Academy..

 

When the lights were completed and ready to be put up, academy students and faculty gathered on April 16, 1915. Torches were lighted, and a parade, led by the academy band, proceeded up Main Street to the front gate of the academy. Student-body president, Jesse Roberts, formally presented Principal Christenson the senior and junior classes’ gift, the large “R” and “A” letters affixed to the top of the building.