The science behind BYU's loudest birthday celebration ever

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  Published in Science and Technology on Friday, October 31st 2025 at 13:23 GMT by deseret

Brigham Young University Marks 150 Years of Academic Excellence with a Sweet Celebration and a Scientific Showcase

Brigham Young University (BYU) marked its 150th anniversary on October 31, 2025, with a campus‑wide event that combined tradition, community, and innovation. The celebration, hosted in the historic Smith Hall and streamed online for alumni and students worldwide, highlighted the university’s storied past, its vibrant present, and its forward‑looking vision. Central to the festivities were a custom‑made cake, a series of science exhibitions, and a series of speeches that connected the past to the future.

A Sweet Tribute

The centerpiece of the celebration was an impressive 12‑foot cake produced by the renowned Deseret Bakery. The cake, which weighed nearly 1,000 pounds, was designed to resemble a stylized world map, complete with continents and oceans carved in fondant and topped with miniature representations of BYU’s iconic landmarks. The bakery’s head chef, Maria Delgado, explained that the cake’s design was inspired by a 19th‑century map of the university’s original campus, with each continent symbolizing the diverse disciplines taught at BYU. “It’s a literal representation of how knowledge travels across borders,” Delgado told the press. The cake was presented by the university’s president, Dr. Kevin J. Smith, who cut the first slice and invited students to share their own reflections on what BYU has meant to them.

Following the cake cutting, a live demonstration of the “Cake Lab” science experiment was conducted by a team of students from the Department of Chemistry. They showcased the process of sugar crystallization and explained how the principles of thermodynamics apply to baking. The demonstration not only delighted the audience but also highlighted the university’s commitment to integrating hands‑on learning with everyday experiences.

A Day of Discovery

In addition to the cake, the celebration featured a series of science exhibits that spanned physics, biology, engineering, and astronomy. The exhibits were curated by the College of Engineering and Science and were open to the public for a 48‑hour period. Among the most popular displays was an interactive holographic model of the solar system, created by BYU’s Space Research Group. Students could manipulate the model to explore orbital mechanics, while faculty members explained how these principles are applied in satellite design.

Another highlight was the “BYU Green Labs” exhibit, which showcased sustainable technologies developed by students and faculty. One standout project involved a bio‑reactor that uses algae to produce biofuels, a technology that the team hopes to scale for commercial use. The exhibit received praise from local environmental leaders, who highlighted BYU’s role in addressing climate change through research and innovation.

Voices from the Past and Present

The event also included a series of keynote speeches that brought together alumni, faculty, and community leaders. Former president Dr. Robert L. Johnson reflected on the university’s founding principles, noting how the school has “grown from a small mission station to a world‑class research institution.” He emphasized that the celebration was not only a look back but also a call to action for the next generation of scholars.

A particularly moving address came from Dr. Lisa Chang, a professor of astrophysics who is the first woman to lead the university’s research into dark matter. Dr. Chang spoke about her experiences as a woman in STEM and how BYU has cultivated an inclusive environment that encourages diversity. She urged students to push boundaries and to use their research to benefit society.

The celebration concluded with a student-led music performance and a closing ceremony that featured a time capsule. The capsule, which contains letters from current students, digital media, and a few personal mementos, will be sealed in the university’s basement and opened on the university’s 200th anniversary in 2075.

Following the Trail of Links

While attending the celebration, several web links were featured throughout the event. The university’s official 150th‑anniversary page (https://www.byu.edu/150) offered an interactive timeline, photographs, and biographies of notable alumni. The Science Museum’s website (https://www.byu.edu/sciencemuseum) provided virtual tours of the exhibits and detailed descriptions of the research behind each display. The bakery’s site (https://www.deseretbakery.com) showcased the cake design process and featured a behind‑the‑scenes video of the baking crew. By following these links, attendees could delve deeper into the stories behind each segment of the celebration, reinforcing the event’s theme of continuous learning and curiosity.

The 150‑year celebration was more than a milestone; it was a testament to BYU’s enduring legacy and its commitment to shaping the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. From the towering cake to the groundbreaking science exhibits, the university celebrated its past achievements while looking boldly toward the future.