James E. Talmage Building
Built in 1971
James E. Talmage Building: Where We Began (1971)
Between 1963 and 1968, BYU experienced a surge in student interest in computer science, with enrollment in computer courses increasing by more than 400% a rate twenty times faster than the university’s overall growth. By 1968, the Mathematics Department had become the fourth largest on campus, offering 185 classes to over 11,000 students scattered across 17 different buildings. The rapid expansion created a clear need for a centralized space that could support both instruction and emerging computing technology.
To meet that demand, BYU constructed what was originally known as the Math-Computer Building. Completed in 1968 and later named the James E. Talmage Building, the structure encompasses 63,500 square feet and was designed with both functionality and innovation in mind. It houses 100 faculty offices, 30 classrooms, and a state-of-the-art computer center. This 14,000-square-foot facility, 4,000 square feet of which was dedicated solely to the computer hardware, was carefully isolated to allow for climate control and uninterrupted operation, a forward-thinking design for its time. The building was officially dedicated by Elder Delbert L. Stapley.
More than just a facility, the Talmage Building stands as a tribute to Apostle James E. Talmage, scientist, scholar, and one of Brigham Young Academy’s first students. Talmage not only studied and taught at BYA, but he also became the recipient of its first collegiate diploma. His lifelong commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and his belief in the harmony of faith and science make him a fitting namesake. Today, the building continues to reflect his legacy, serving as a hub of learning, innovation, and inspiration for generations of BYU students.
James E. Talmage Building: Where We Are Now
The James E. Talmage Building houses math sciences, statistics, computer science, and computer animation departments. It was the first building on campus to be built with an earthquake-resistant design. It has more steel reinforcement and more lateral bracing, so the building is more rigid and stands straight longer, thereby resisting lateral force better.
No masonry can be added or mounted at the top of the building. The university has been diligent in its compliance with earthquake resistant construction regulations in order to provide a safer environment for the BYU community. Many of the University’s large computer systems run from this building, providing computer networked programs and storage space for faculty and students (especially from the life and math science departments) to use any time: day or night. This supercomputer holds 2000-3000 terabytes of storage. BYU is one of two universities in Utah to have such powerful computers on campus.
This building has a statue of Po the Panda from the DreamWorks Film Kung Fu Panda. Po was designed by a former BYU student, Jason Turner. BYU’s computer animation students are heavily recruited from Disney, Pixar, and other major motion picture studios.