We owe James E. Talmage a lot. As a early church scientist, author and apostle, his name desires to be the focal point of his building's acronym. It also just sounds better.

Testimonial:

I love the Talmage Math Sciences and Computer building.  Since coming to BYU, I’ve spent many hours learning the arcane arts practiced here.  Smiling professors and TA’s have introduced me to a world of logic and power, where simple letters and numbers are transformed into servants of the mind.  It was in the basement of this building that I first achieved the meditative state often known as ‘zen-coding’-a level of focused attention similar to ancient Oriental traditions.  (When a student is zen-coding, he may program for hours or entire days without pausing for food, sleep, or water.)  In the hallowed halls of the Talmage Math Sciences and Computer building, thousands of students have been enlightened, edified, and empowered to go forth and serve their fellow-man.  We even have a statue of Po the Panda in the lobby!

Unfortunately, in spite of the vital role that the Talmage building plays in fulfilling the aims of a BYU education, in spite of being named for one of the greatest Apostle-scientists of this dispensation, it has been crassly labeled TMCB in the university’s registers.  While the letters accurately represent the building’s official title, this combination was not designed for the human tongue or imagination.  What kind of monster could comfortably pronounce four consonants as a single word?  Furthermore, even the most creative mind would strain to find motivation in the alphabet soup that is T M C B.  Fortunately, there is a solution, and it’s hidden in plain sight.

The salvation of the Talmage building’s acronym lies in the initials of the great Apostle himself-James E. Talmage.  JET is a worthy set of letters to represent a building dedicated to the pioneering spirit and quest for truth that represent what we do here.  The careful study of scientists and mathematicians harnessed rocket fuel and put astronauts on the surface of the moon.  Fueled by a vision of higher goals, the men and women who enter the JET can build on the shoulders of giants and rise to new heights; and if we make a change now, we can do it in a building with a much cooler name.

I call on BYU students, teachers, administrators, alumni and concerned citizens everywhere to right this wrong.  We can honor those that have gone before by learning from their mistakes.  We can choose a name that is good, and cool, and new.  But we can’t do it without you.
So what will you do about it?

HONOR THIS MAN

HONOR YOURSELF

- James Jensen