Mark R. Stoddard and LeAnn W. Stoddard are being recognized for their decades of service, philanthropy, and advocacy for Snow College. According to a July 27, 2026, announcement from Snow College, the couple is being honored through the naming of the Mark R. and LeAnn W. Stoddard Social Sciences Building. This new facility, which is a 45,000-square-foot structure, is intended to more than double the classroom capacity for the college's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The project also includes the provision of collaborative learning spaces, learner-focused labs, and modern resources for students.
Construction of the facility was officially marked by a groundbreaking ceremony held on July 27, 2026. During this event, which was attended by trustees, legislators, community leaders, donors, alumni, employees, and students, the $42 million project was celebrated. The funding for this facility was approved by the Utah Legislature in 2024. The Stoddard family's early leadership gift was noted as a significant factor in the project's progress, as it helped demonstrate community support for the initiative. According to the Snow College announcement, the building is expected to open in the fall of 2028.
The facility is designed to house the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and will serve four academic departments. It is intended to accommodate the many students who take general education courses and specialized studies within those departments. President Stacee Y. McIff stated on July 27, 2026, that the building represents years of planning, partnership, and shared vision. She noted that students who learn within the facility will eventually become teachers, coaches, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, social workers, and other public servants whose influence will extend far beyond the campus.
The groundbreaking ceremony on July 27, 2026, included remarks from President McIff, Dean Mike Brenchley, representatives of Layton Construction, and members of the Stoddard family. The event concluded with a ceremonial turning of the dirt. Layton Construction, a partner on the project for more than two decades, is helping to bring the new Social Science Building to life. The project involves several partners, including the Utah Legislature, the Utah Board of Higher Education, DFCM, VCBO Architecture, Layton Construction, Ephraim City, and Snow College employees.
Snow College, which was founded in 1888 by Utah pioneers, maintains campuses in Ephraim and Richfield, Utah, and a learning center in Nephi, Utah. The college serves more than 5,000 students and focuses on helping students graduate debt-free and gain resume-worthy experience.
What this means for Ephraim
As the Mark R. and LeAnn W. Stoddard Social Sciences Building moves toward its expected opening in the fall of 2028, Ephraim residents will see a significant expansion in local educational capacity. The $42 million facility aims to provide modern resources and increased classroom space for students studying social and behavioral sciences at Snow College.
