Tag: Rick’s College

Ricks College was a private junior college in Rexburg, Idaho, affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Established on November 12, 1888, as the Bannock Stake Academy, it was later renamed Ricks Academy in 1903 to honor Thomas E. Ricks, a prominent LDS pioneer and founder of Rexburg. In 1923, it became Ricks College, serving primarily as a two-year institution for most of the 20th century.

In June 2000, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley announced that Ricks College would transition into a four-year university, becoming Brigham Young University–Idaho (BYU–Idaho). This change aimed to expand educational opportunities for church members and alleviate enrollment pressures at other church-affiliated institutions. The transition included phasing out intercollegiate athletics and implementing a year-round academic calendar.

Today, BYU–Idaho continues the legacy of Ricks College, emphasizing undergraduate education with a focus on teaching and learning in a faith-based environment.