To miss class on account of lost time might be more inexcusable than normal come later this school year.
Work on a clock tower to sit between the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons and Udvar-Hazy School of Business begins this fall, and the three-month project should be complete by spring. Influenced by numerous financial aspects, Dixie State University administrators finally cleared it after realizing late-year construction has benefits.
As last reported by Dixie Sun News, a bulk of the clock tower’s completion was slated for summer break. However, money for it could’ve gone several other places depending on enrollment, said Sherry Ruesch, executive director of campus services.
“We did wait to start to see how fall enrollment went, and [we] wanted to make sure we weren’t spending our funds on something else when we needed to cover jobs and some other things,” she said.
With DSU’s enrollment steady, President Stephen Nadauld chose to proceed with the project, and Ruesch said its timing could be positive in other regards.
“We will get better bids doing it during winter because some Salt Lake construction firms will [charge at low costs] to keep their employees working during the winter,” she said.
With the green light, work on the clock tower will fill what Ruesch said is a basic void on DSU’s campus that a majority of universities include: an authentic clock with bells that strike on the hour.
In addition, the architect, who also designed the Holland Centennial Commons, strived to attract the eyes as much as the ears.
Students should take note of the clock’s sleek design, and Public Relations Director Steve Johnson said besides the basic service—telling time—the landmark provides, its place on campus will mean much more to students, staff and others who are involved with the school. Like the Holland’s opening last fall, numerous press conferences and other construction projects on campus, the tower will help commemorate DSU’s recent accomplishments.
“This clock tower idea was put in place to create a new iconic symbol and have it be placed on our campus,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be something that will probably be the iconic symbol on this campus much like Old Main is up in Logan at Utah State or the clock tower at Weber State.”
Construction Updates
The Science Building
Math and science students have embarked on journeys across campus for classes, from the North Instruction Building to the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial building, but soon they’ll stay put.
A large portion of physical science classes begin immediately in the new Edward H. and Idonna E. Snow Science Center this semester, and math classes will move from the NIB to the Snow Science Center a few weeks in. To play it safe, administrators initially scheduled these classes in the NIB in case construction wasn’t finished.
Now, with Wi-Fi installed, the building can also be a prime study spot for students studying all principles.
“I realize the Holland [is the big study location], but if you’re early for a math class or want to spend that time between classes, there are locations for students to study in that building,” Ruesch said.
The Memory Gardens
Dixie State University’s eight Memory Gardens are near completion and have already garnered much praise through social media.
Ruesch said the Memory Gardens’ completions solely depend on last-minute touches that include study space for students.
“They will be completely covered and have tables built inside of them,” she said.
The Dixie State University Facebook page posted pictures that captured the gardens, and the positive feedback indicates the project added more scenery to the ever-changing campus, Ruesch said.
