Utah Valley University opened the doors to its newest building on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Scott M. Smith College of Engineering & Technology Building.
Many who contributed to the building’s creation gathered to celebrate the new building, situated in the southeast corner of the sprawling Orem campus.
Their message to students? To use what they learn while studying there to benefit those around them.
At 197,000 square feet, the building will be home to more than 20% of the university’s student population. The building has four floors and contains 14 classrooms, 116 offices and a number of labs for hands-on learning.
Outgoing UVU President Astrid Tuminez spoke at the ribbon cutting, as did Scott and Karen Smith. Scott Smith is a co-founder of Qualtrics.
The Smiths donated $25 million to jump-start construction on the building. In a video introducing themselves, they both spoke about how they felt an obligation to give back and help the next generation.
“This gift wasn’t about me, it was about you,” Karen Smith said.
She told students and graduates to live meaningful lives and to give back to their communities.
“Talent, knowledge and resources come with a responsibility to use them for good, to benefit others and to be accountable for them,” Karen Smith said. “To embody the principle to whom much has been given, much is required.”
Afterward, Scott Smith, co-founder of Qualtrics, invited everyone to reflect on gratitude — not just for the building, but for those who’ve preceded them.
Scott Smith reflected on his roots as a young farm boy and discussed the numerous individuals who helped raise him. From church leaders to teachers and his parents, he expressed his gratitude for everyone who played a role in his life.
Scott Smith invited the audience to think about the people who came before.
“What decisions did they make that allow you to be here today?” Scott Smith asked. “At that point I think you become very, very grateful.”
Scott Smith rehearsed the story of the Ugly Duckling where the ugly duck grows up and finds out that it’s actually a beautiful swan. He said every engineering student starts out here as a duckling, and has to go through the rigor and challenges of becoming a swan.
Scott Smith said he hoped UVU’s newest building will be a place of transformation for all the ducklings there to learn.
Following the Smiths’ remarks, Tuminez also spoke about gratitude. Tuminez, who recently announced that she will be stepping down after the school year, said that gratitude has gotten her through each day and night.
Tuminez also spoke about vision. She said vision is more important than knowledge, a network or money.
When others would refer to UVU as “just UVU” it frustrated Tuminez. Not only is UVU already a great place to be, but a great place to be inspired by the things people do here, she said.
Tuminez said its buildings are a testament to the vision UVU has for its future.
“These wonderful buildings we have built are structures so that everybody can be inspired, and their imaginations sparked by what they can create and what they can become,” Tuminez said. “So I want to encourage us to carry on the imagination and the mission, because we are landing that.”
