The former home of Utah State University presidents, remodeled and enlarged with a reception center and banquet hall, became the school's new center for its alumni Thursday.
In a ceremony attended by church, university, legislative, business and civic leaders, the newly renovated, 100-year-old home was dedicated as the David B. Haight Alumni Center. The building is named in honor of Elder David B. Haight, a member of the Council of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Elder Howard W. Hunter, president of the Council of the Twelve, offered the dedicatory prayer. Other members of the Council of the Twelve attending were Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder James E. Faust. Elder Hugh W. Pinnock, a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, also attended.
Aileen H. Clyde, second counselor in the general Relief Society presidency and a member of the state Board of Regents, was also present.
The transformation of the old home was made possible by more than $1 million in contributions from 1,000 USU alumni. Two years ago, Utah industrialist Jon M. Huntsman and his wife, Karen, also a member of the state Board of Regents, donated $500,000 as an incentive gift to the project. Elder Haight is Mrs. Huntsman's father.
Built in 1891, the home was one of the earliest structures on campus. It originally was designed to serve as a model farmhouse, but became the home of the first USU president, Jeremiah Sanborn. Every USU president has lived in the home. When the current USU president, Stanford Cazier, moved to a home near campus eight years ago, Cazier and the Alumni Association agreed that the old structure would be an appropriate facility for the alumni group.
In 1986, the Alumni Association moved its offices into the remodeled home. But the structure wasn't large enough for receptions, programs and dinners. The Huntsmans gave the incentive gift to expand the facility in 1989.
"It has taken a lot of time and dreams to make this dream come true," USU alumni past president Gary Blacker, said.
Speakers at the ceremony paid tribute to Elder Haight, who received the USU Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1978 and has served on the school's National Advisory Board.
Karen Huntsman praised her father for living by the belief that "joy and happiness come from serving others." Elder Haight has always reached out and touched people, comforting the sick, the poor and those in need, she said.
Calling his father-in-law "a dear friend," Jon Huntsman paid tribute to Elder Haight for his kindness, intelligence, compassion, commitment to and faith in God and concern for his family.
Elder Haight said he and his wife, Ruby, are "humble but grateful to have our names mingled with this institution in any capacity."