The Associated Alumni of Weber State College March 1975 WSC Alumnus, Artist Create Temple Design The completion in late 1974 of the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington D.C. has been noted and acclaimed by thousands of Washington area residents as well as by church members throughout the world. The $14 million structure, visited by hundreds of thousands before its dedication, is an im- posing edifice, outstanding even when compared with the many other famous architectural examples in the historical area. Involved in the original designing of the structure were an alumnus of Weber State College, architect Keith W. Wilcox, and a member of the Weber State faculty, Richard J. Van Wagoner. Mr. Wilcox was one of four architects asked by the church General Authorities to submit designs for the project in 1969. The four private practicing architects, all church members, were requested to work together throughout the design and construction stages of the project. Private Architects Private architects were commissioned because, at the time the work was started, the church architectural staff was busy with the Ogden and Provo temples. Each architect submitted designs and models of his own ideas for the temple. After several months, the designs were presented to President Hugh B. Brown, first counselor in the First Presidency of the church. Mr. Wilcox’ design, with some minor alterations, was the one chosen by the First Presidency. In a booklet written by Mr. Wilcox which details his experiences in formulating and creating the design, he says his design is based on multiples of three, corresponding to the use of that number in the organization of the LDS church beginning with the three members of the Godhead. The building has six floors and six towers, three towers to the East representing the presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood and three to the West, representing the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood. After Mr. Wilcox had completed initial drawings and sketches, he called in Mr. Van Wagoner to doa water color painting, or rendering of the plan. When this first design and rendering were presented to Pres. Brown, he liked the rendering, but did not show the same enthusiasm for the model. The painting showed the building from a front view and gave it more of an elongated appearance, while the model a more bulky hexagonal shape. After making adjustments in the model to make it conform with the idea presented by the rendering, Mr. Wilcox again asked Mr. Van Wagoner to make a water color painting of the sketches. This rendering was given final approval by the First Presidency and became the concept used throughout the construction. The painting was reproduced in church and other publications throughout the country and in many nations of the world. The second rendering was “more dynamic” and also “‘more difficult,’”’ Mr. Van Wagoner says. “It was what is called a transparent water color,’’ he says. Although the initial sketches were Mr. Wilcox’ work, the painting, use of lighting and color were created by Mr. Van Wagoner. Together, they presented a temple concept which was enthusiasticaslly approved by the church First Presidency and the other architects. bs Professor Richard J. Van Wagoner with temple rendering. Bishop Plans Trip to China With AASCU The opportunity of exchanging educational viewpoints with experts in Red China is exciting and somewhat humbling, says Weber State College President Joseph L. Bishop, who will participate in this unique experience during a visit to that country beginning April 1. eae Faculty member, Wan-Fu Chi, discusses up-coming China trip with Pres. Bishop. Dr. Bishop and 20 other presidents of colleges and universities across the country will tour major cities of the Peoples Republic of China under arrangements made through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). The invitation for the delegation of U.S. educators to make the visit came from officials of the Republic of China, in response to efforts of AASCU officials and U.S. government leaders. One purpose of the tour is to acquaint U.S. educational leaders with unique modern techniques being used in institutions in China. The possibility also exists, President Bishop says, of establishing cultural and academic linkages with Chinese educators and heads of that nation’s institutions of higher learning. AASCU officials divided the nation into four districts in selecting the presidents for the April tour. President Bishop is one of four selected from the Western Region. The others are from, California, Washington and Colorado. The delegation will fly to Hong Kong and enter Red China from the Formosa port. The educators will visit Canton, Nanking, Peking, Shanghai and Wusih, making the travel by both train and plane to these major Chinese cities. “I feel this is a great opportunity for growth and a rare chance to expand the exchanges between the United States and China,” Dr. Bishop said. He said, since Wusih is an industrial center, it may have a relevency to Weber State's technology and vocational departments. A