75th year of Institute celebrated
The Logan LDS Institute of Religion is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
The Institute’s theme this year is “Founded in Faith,” due to the anniversary, said Tarrin Barton, public relations vice president of the IRSC. The Logan institute building is the oldest functioning institute building in the church. There have been additions made to the original structure. The institute was originally founded in 1928. In 1929, 114 students were enrolled. But that number has grown to 7,000 students enrolled on campus this year; their record so far, Barton said.
And more people are joining each day, according to an institute brochure.
“The most important thing about the institute is that it’s here, and it’s available,” said Barton, a junior majoring in American studies. “It’s not just for students, it’s for the community. And it’s not just for people who are LDS, but it’s for anyone who wants to come. And you can come and register any time.”
According to the brochure, the institute has about 30 to 40 instructors who teach 50 different classes, with many different topics. There are classes ranging from a religious culture class, to a Book of Mormon class. Barton said the institute is something people need to know about so they can come and learn.
The institute isn’t just a place to take classes. Barton said it can be a safe haven for students to come and study, or just sit quietly.
“The institute has a combination atmosphere of fun and learning,” Barton said. “It’s not only educational and you’re learning and improving yourself, but you’re also meeting lots of new people.”
Barton said there are lots of activities the institute sponsors. For example, there is a weekly activity, such as a Friday night activity which might include The Price is Right, or a dance.
Lunch for the Bunch is also put on by the institute. Barton said that it’s for everyone on campus, not just for those enrolled in institute. They do it about once a month, and it’ll usually cost about $1. There has been pizza, Creamies and walking tacos.
There are many different organizations that the institute has. A music council is just one of them. It is in charge of the institute choir.
“I take institute because I love to sing,” said Greg Balls, a sophomore with an finance and economics major.
Registration costs $10 a semester, and students can take as many classes as they would like for that $10, Barton said. She also said even if students can’t register for a class, they can come to the Religion in Life devotional every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Various speakers come, she said, including general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to the brochure, U.S. Senator Robert Bennett has spoken at Religion in Life.
Barton said benefits of the institute are to help students to know the gospel better through classes. And through learning the gospel, it brings them closer to Christ, which is the main objective of the institute, she said.
Ryan McBride, a senior majoring in photography, said, “[Institute’s] a release from my regular schoolwork.”
Barton said, “It’s a great way for students to get a foundation in religious things as they’re getting their education across the street.”
-sarahwest@cc.usu.edu
This 1970s photo of the LDS Institute building shows the time before the marquee was installed. (Logan LDS Institute)
One wintry afternoon in 1949, a photographer snapped this photo of the Institute and people dressed in their Sunday best walking on the street in front of the building. (Logan LDS Institute)
Worshippers congregate in front of the Institute´s south entrance in this 1938 photo. (Logan LDS Institute)