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- The groundbreaking took place June 23, 2006—President Hinckley’s 96th birthday.
- The building was finished and dedicated June 23, 2007—President Hinckley’s 97th birthday.
- President Hinckley opted to use a well-worn shovel chosen from his own garden tools rather than the ceremonial blue and white shovels used by other participants, which was later donated to the visitors center after its completion.
- The generous donations of some 70,000 alumni, students, and friends funded the building’s construction.
- Welcome 80,000+ visitors yearly, with guests from around the globe praising its inviting atmosphere.
- The building's exterior is finished in brick and Utah sandstone quarried near Heber City.
- The clock tower, which rises 122 feet, also serves as the building’s ventilation system.
- The roof section of the clock tower was the last piece of steel placed on the building. Before the steel was placed, BYU president Cecil O. Samuelson and other special guests used paint pens to sign it.
- Time capsule inside includes President Hinckley’s hammer, cuff links, an iPod loaded with BYU video, a signed copy of Way to Be!, a BYU Magazine issue, and other memorabilia, which will be opened in 50 years.
- Gigantic 3D campus model – Inside, there’s a 9 × 12‑foot, interactive 3D printed model of BYU’s entire 367‑acre campus, complete with 81 buildings, about 700 tiny cars, 600 trees (123 matching the official Tree Tour), and even two teeny donor figurines, the Sorensens, hidden like a sneaky Easter‑egg!
