Hinckley Building News Article

Gordon B. Hinckley’s oak tree has been used for more than just the Conference Center podium.

The banisters in the Gordon B. Hinckley Alumni and Visitor’s Center are adorned with the wood from the former president’s yard. “We have used every scrap of his tree,” said Sherry Peck, a weekly volunteer at the Visitor Center.

Housing more than just the famous oak tree, the Alumni and Visitors Center holds the Olympic torch that passed through Provo during the 2002 Olympics, the BYU Engineering and Technology Racecar that raced in 2006, and numerous personal items of President Hinckley.

But with all of these invaluable items, the Hinckley Building is one of the least visited buildings on campus, according to its tour guide. Not only is this because of student’s lack of knowledge, but also because students aren’t always welcome.

The 83,000 square-foot center is less than three years old, which may attribute to his lack of popularity.

“I’m not entirely sure what it’s used for,” said Steven Decker, a sophomore majoring in psychology from Gallup, N.M. Decker, like many students, has visited the building but never used its services.

“It was nice. I like it because it’s the only building on campus with a fireplace in it,” Decker said.

In addition to the fireplace, the Hinckley Center features all wood floors with specially-made rugs from India that took over a year to hand-sew, according to tour guide Sherry Peck.

According to the receptionist Janet Christenson, the most common question she receives is “can I have my wedding reception here?” Equipped with a gazebo overlooking the campus and a grand piano, the administration does not allow receptions, as it is strictly a visitor’s and alumni center.

The Gordon B. Hinckley building is also one of the only buildings on the BYU campus not used for Sunday worship.

“We allow individuals to come in and study, but usually turn away groups,” said Peck.

Perhaps students are kept away from President Hinckley’s oak tree because of the building’s $35 million pricetag.