Utah Valley University (UVU) broke ground on the Scott M. Smith College of Engineering and Technology Building on Sept. 21. Among those present at the groundbreaking were UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, Qualtrics co-founders and building donors Scott M. and Karen Smith, College of Engineering and Technology Dean Kelly Flanagan, and UVU Vice Presidents Kyle Reyes and Val Peterson.

The new five-story building is expected to be completed in 2025 and will serve the 6,000+ students from the Scott M. Smith College of Engineering and Technology. President Tuminez began her remarks by quoting American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: “Wealth is not to feed our egos but to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves.”

“Today is the culmination of many, many years of work,” she said. “Scott and Karen Smith, thank you for understanding the spirit of Andrew Carnegie and bringing [this gift] to Utah County and to UVU. And  to our students today, I hope you see how much this will mean to us for years to come.”

Karen Smith addressed the small crowd atop UVU’s east hill, overlooking campus, expressing her gratitude for Utah Valley University and her husband and Qualtrics co-founder, Scott M. Smith.

“Groundbreaking requires digging, lifting, and moving the Earth's surface. I see some similarities in Scott's life that have required digging, lifting, and moving as he has built his career, created an innovative tech company, and [navigated] his life's path,” she said. “Often, it has required a new way of doing things and breaking through tough services or boundaries. Today, we are grateful to take the shovel and symbolically move Earth for future generations to be able to dream big and move heaven and Earth for the good of mankind in the world.”

Scott M. Smith began his remarks by quoting the Bible scripture Luke 12:48, “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

“Now that's an interesting statement,” Smith commented. “It's not much is expected; much is required. And we have received much from UVU. Our children and our neighbors have been educated here. We interact with and are served by students. Everywhere we go in the valley, any business we go to, there are individuals from UVU that are there.

“We've enjoyed the fruits of the labors of others and in energy. We've been spectators and participants in sports, the arts, and in the programs that have been sponsored by UVU. We have received much, but much is given by UVU, and much is required of us. Some of us can contribute financially. Others contribute their time. Others contribute their support or their efforts, and yet others contribute just by being there.”

“I simply want you to know how grateful we are for the opportunity to contribute and for you personally because you contributed also; you've taken time out of your day, and we are truly grateful for that to see you here. You’re our friends, and we thank you.”

The program concluded with the ceremonial digging of shovels into the construction site.