A mystical, magical moment in BYU history, the Benson building will be renamed in the singer’s honor to celebrate his new album.

Driving down I-15, there are several billboards advertising Benson Boone’s upcoming American Heart Tour. What drivers may not have noticed, however, is the fine print at the bottom of the billboard, which says, “BYU Benson Boone Building coming soon.” 

Just yesterday, BYU announced that the billboards were true, and that the Ezra Taft Benson Building would soon be renamed the Benson Boone Building in honor of Boone’s new album release this summer. While the name change may shock many BYU alumni and students, the Benson family has been well aware that it could occur. 

“Ezra Taft Benson’s will actually explicitly stipulates that if someone cooler than him with the name Benson comes along, that the name of the building should change. We are simply fulfilling his wishes,” says Charles Bail, the Benson family’s lawyer.

“I think that President Benson would be very pleased with the change,” says Elder Clark G. Gilbert, church commissioner of education. “I know that this will help the future generations of BYU students to feel connected to campus.” 

While leaders seemed pleased about the change, other students gave more negative feedback. One example is student Annie Lee, who has been petitioning that BYU remove building names that honor problematic historical figures. “We’ve been asking for BYU to change the names of their buildings for years, and this is the one they finally chose to change?!” Lee exclaimed. 

Despite the controversy, many fans and BYU students look forward to the opening ceremony, including Boone himself. “For the opening ceremony, I plan to backflip off the top of the building while singing ‘beautiful things.’ I have full faith that my fans will catch me at the bottom,” said an enthusiastic Benson Boone.

The unveiling of the new name plaque, along with a bronze statue of Boone at the Grammys holding his crotch will be unveiled on June 20th.