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1 Comment [ View ]'Smart, Snappy and Savvy' / WSU celebrates opening of newest building
By Brooke NelsonOGDEN -- A communications icon spoke Friday afternoon to Weber State faculty and students to celebrate the opening of a building that will house, among others, the department of communications.
Peter Sagal, host of National Public Radio's "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" explained the premise of his popular radio show, shared his favorite stories about former presidential candidates and offered advice to those pursuing careers in communication.
"I lucked into my job. Having me give a communications lecture is like having a business lecture by someone who just won the Lotto," Sagal said jokingly. "I really do know how lucky I am."
Sagal was the guest speaker before the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Elizabeth Hall, Weber State's newest building.
Included in Sagal's comments was an account of his first experience in Utah -- the show's first live taping back in 2000 at Westminster College, which prompted the producers to continue to tape the show in front of a live audience.
"I can't tell you how grateful I am to you all for not having anything better to do in the evening," he said. The hourlong quiz show has attracted a following of about 2.6 million listeners every week and tests guests' knowledge of current events.
Madonne Miner, dean of Weber State's Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities, said Sagal was the perfect choice for the celebration because the kind of communication that occurs on his radio show "is the same kind we're already hearing in Elizabeth Hall -- smart, snappy and savvy."
University President Ann Millner was accompanied in the ribbon-cutting by local lawmakers, two Weber State deans and some of the building's donors.
The building is named after Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart, who created a foundation that contributed heavily to the project.
"It's fabulous," said Kathleen Herndon, chairwoman of the Weber State English department. "We are just delighted."
Herndon said before the new building, the departments of English, foreign language and communications were scattered across campus.
Now centrally located in Elizabeth Hall, collaboration will be much easier, she said.
"We have a beautiful place to teach, and students a beautiful place to take classes," she said.
Elizabeth Hall is more than 94,000 square feet and cost about $27.5 million to build.
Millner said every student who comes through Weber State will take a course taught in Elizabeth Hall before leaving with a degree.
Add Your Comment
Elizabeth Hall makes a grand addition to the University. The classrooms have more of a modern feel to them. It feels less like a classroom and more like a meeting of the minds discussing an affable subject.
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