When John Stohlton began studying at BYU in 1955, only one singles branch met on campus. The campus itself hardly resembled the university where more than 32,000 students learn today. It was much smaller and extended further south.

An apple orchard covered the land where the Lee Library, Harris Fine Arts Center, Jesse Knight Building, Museum of Art and Smoot Building now stand.

In those days, BYU students met for classes in campus buildings on University Avenue as far south as the lot where the Provo Library is now located and even in some regular ward and stake meeting houses, Stohlton said.

"It was a pretty small campus when you think about it," Stolhton said. "The center of campus was in the Cougareat. That was in the basement of the Joseph Smith Building and that was where the students hung out."

More than 50 years have passed since the time when BYU students learned to dance in LDS cultural halls and the face of campus has certainly changed.

Stohlton, now a professor of ancient scripture, recognizes that substantial efforts have been made to improve BYU campus.

"I think no expense has been spared in building buildings that will last and serve the needs of the students," Stohlton said.

BYU continues to evolve, adding new buildings and renovating existing facilities as needed. Over the last 15 years, BYU has built or renovated more than 20 of its facilities, spending more than $300 million, according to the BYU Physical Facilities Web site.

BYU undertakes these projects so students and professors can have the facilities they need to do their work, said Mike Stratton, director of construction for the Physical Facilities Division of BYU.

Current changes to the face of BYU are taking place on the Tanner Building, the Cannon Center, Deseret Towers and the Office of Information Technology Building, Stratton said. Other construction projects happening this summer include remodeling the Eyring Science Center's underground lab, creating a new marching band facility in the west bleacher area of LaVell Edwards Stadium, remodeling the fifth floor of the Wilkinson Center and work on a new central production kitchen where the old dairy products lab and Deseret Towers Creamery were located.

Demolition is also scheduled to begin on the Mangum Building on the southeast corner of campus within the next few weeks, Stratton said. Most of the dance classes that were previously taught in that building will be moved to the new addition of the Richards Building, which was recently completed.