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Brigham Young University. Department of Communications

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1963 - 2015

Administrative History

The Department of Communications (1963-2015) was responsible for communications courses under the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University.

The Department of Communications at Brigham Young University was established in 1963. Functioning under the College of Fine Arts and Communications, it was responsible for teaching public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and communications. Previously, communications courses were part of the Department of Journalism in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The organization functioned to provide a professional program in communications which includes a broad base of general education, thorough orientation in the processes, functions and responsibilities of mass communication, and the development of skills in fact finding, analysis, and communication through the mass media. The department also sought to provide service courses to help students from other departments develop desired communication skills. Department chairs included: Oliver R. Smith (1964-1966), J. Morris Richards (1966-1972), Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975), M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1980); Brent D. Peterson (1980-1983), J. LaVar Bateman (1983-1986), Ralph D. Barney (1986-1987), Gordon Whiting (1987-1991), David P. Forsyth (1991-1996), Leonard L. Bartlett (1996-1998), Laurie J. Wilson (1998-2002), Michael K. Perkins (2002-2004), Edward E. Adams (2004-2008; 2012-2015), Bradley L. Rawlins (2008-2012), and Edward E. Adams (2012-2015).

In 2015 the department was renamed the School of Communications.

Citation:
BYU Organizational History Project, May 4, 2012: Dept. of Communications (1963, College Fine Arts and Communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, journalism, and communications, previously Department of Journalism in College of Humanities and Social Sciences, professional program, broad base general, orientation, mass communication, fact finding, analysis, service courses, chairs Oliver R. Smith (1964-1966), J. Morris Richards (1966-1972), Edwin O. Haroldsen (1972-1975), M. Dallas Burnett (1975-1980); Brent D. Peterson (1980-1983), J. LaVar Bateman (1983-1986), Ralph D. Barney (1986-1987), Gordon Whiting (1987-1991), David P. Forsyth (1991-1996), Leonard L. Bartlett (1996-1998), Laurie J. Wilson (1998-2002), Michael K. Perkins (2002-2004), Edward E. Adams (2004-2008), and Bradley L. Rawlins (2008- ))

BYU Organizational History Project, February 1, 2024 (department chairs, Bradley L. Rawlins (2008-2012), Edward E. Adams (2012-2015); renamed as School of Communications in 2015)

Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:

Joseph M. Boel papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231021863]
Identifier: UA 498
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and papers pertaining to journalism and news photography, with copies of the Intermountain Journalism Bulletin, and Nieman Reports, 1946-1962. 64 items.

Dates: 1946-1962

Department of Communications records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1215
Scope and Contents

Contains records relating to the Department of Communications, including records on the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) as well as building project records and meeting minutes. Also contains course materials, correspondence, and records on faculty members, 1920-1999.

Dates: 1920-1999

Department of Communications records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1372
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence to and from the chair of the Department of Communications for the period of 1988 to 2001, and portfolios done by students in the department in 2011.

Dates: 1988-2011

Department of Communications records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 560
Scope and Contents

Includes the correspondence and department records of chairs Oliver Smith and J. Morris Richards. Materials date from between 1933 and 1974.

Dates: 1933-1974

Department of Communications student photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA P 25
Scope and Contents

Contains student-produced photographs from the Department of Communications. Includes images of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University, Provo and Salt Lake City, Utah, and landscapes. Materials date from approximately 1965 to 1980.

Dates: approximately 1965-1980

Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 87
Scope and Contents

Includes the files and records of the department chair and other faculty.

Dates: 1917-1974

Personal histories of Owen S. and Ora Rich

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 5784
Scope and Contents

Contains two bound volumes. The first "A Lifetime of Romance and Adventure" contains the personal histories of Owen and Ora Rich. The second "Owen S. Rich: Teacher, Radio and Television Pioneer" contains letters of tribute to Dr. Rich upon his retirement.

Dates: 1922-2006

Owen S. Rich photographs and other material on KBYU

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1142
Scope and Contents

Photographs and some papers related to the history of KBYU television and radio.

Dates: 1940-1960

Oliver R. Smith papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2087
Abstract Includes correspondence, family newsletters and news clippings, university memoranda, photographs, artifacts, and a few Hill Cumorah Pageant files. Subject files contain information on BYU student clubs, including Delta Phi, Kappa Tau Alpha, Omega Nu, and Sigma Delta Chi, and information on organizations with which he was affiliated, such as the US Air Force Reserve, Association of Educators of Journalism, Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association, National Council of College Publications...
Dates: 1935-1979

Speech and videos on KBYU

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 989
Scope and Contents

Contains a speech given by Rich on the establishment of KBYU and a video documenting Rich's career at KBYU as well as three DVDs containing "The Rich Years" and a recording of Dr. Rich's retirement party.

Dates: 1987-1990