Skip to main content

Brigham Young University

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1903-

Administrative History

Brigham Young University (1903- ) is a university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo, Utah.

Brigham Young University was established in 1903 in a renaming of Brigham Young Academy. Past and present Brigham Young University presidents include George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), Kevin J. Worthen (2014-2023), and C. Shane Reese (2023- ).

Brigham Young University is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as part of the Church Educational System (CES). The university is governed by a Board of Trustees, which, since 1939, has consisted of the First Presidency of the Church as well as other General Authorities or general officers of the Church appointed by the First Presidency. The Board of Trustees provides general direction and oversees the formulation of broad policies as well as the approval of all executive leadership and faculty appointments at the university. The Board of Trustees delegates to the University President the responsibility to conduct the operations of the institution and administer the policies enacted by the board. The President serves as the chief executive officer and general manager of the University. Between 1996 and 2014, the President of the university was also been a General Authority of the Church.

Brigham Young University has grown from a small academy to one of the world's largest private universities. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU offers a unique educational environment that promotes learning by study and also by faith.

Citation:
Its Annual catalog, 1907/08.

BYU--national champions, 1985: intro. (Brigham Young University)

The Journal of pedagogy, Feb. 1895: t.p. (Brigham Young Academy)

History of BYU (within Brigham Young University website), via WWW, 4 November 2010 (Brigham Young Academy established October 16, 1875 in Provo, Utah. Name changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. Sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, associated with BYU-Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii; BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho; and LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah)

Brigham Young University Organizational History website, via WWW, Mar. 2, 2011 (Brigham Young University; est. 1903; name change from Brigham Young Academy; Presidents: George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), and Kevin J. Worthen (2014- ); owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; governed by a board of trustees)

Brigham Young University website, via WWW, June 22, 2023 (C. Shane Reese; appointed president of Brigham Young University, May 1, 2023)

Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:

Alumni Association activity records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 968
Scope and Contents

Contains materials from the Alumni Association that pertain to their activities. The materials include correspondence, reports, programs, minutes, and awards.

Dates: 1963-1996

Jim Barnes papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3256
Scope and Contents

The collection primarily tracks Barnes's poetic career, specifically regarding his service as editor of the Chariton Review and contributions to other poetry journals, and contains manuscripts of his own poetry as well as that of Dagmar Nick, which he translated from German, and numerous books of poetry written by friends/contributors to the Chariton Review. It also contains personal documents such as correspondence, bills, and photos.

Dates: 1900-2004

Brigham Young University Provost records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 681
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, minutes and general administrative files from Jae R. Ballif acting as both Administrative Vice-President, and Provost.

Dates: 1980-1989

Brigham Young University vice-presidential records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1027
Scope and Contents

Contains materials from the Associate Academic Vice Presidents from 1981 to 2001. These materials include correspondence, reports, notes, awards, and budgets. The materials pertain to University departments and faculty. The majority of the records are from the administrative terms of Dennis Thomson, L. Robert Webb, Noel Reynolds, John Tanner, and Jeffery Keith.

Dates: 1981-2002

BYU Photo photographs

 Collection
Identifier: UA 5754
Scope and Contents

Contains negatives, contact sheets, photograph prints, and transparencies of images produced by BYU Photo and its predecessors between 1875 and 2010, with the bulk produced between 1968 and 2002. Includes images of Brigham Young University events, campus scenes and buildings, administrators, faculty and staff, awards, visiting leadership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and theater, dance, and other performing groups.

Dates: 1875-2010; Majority of material found within 1968-2002

Collection of diplomas and certificates

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 312
Scope and Contents

Certificates and diplomas awarded to faculty and students of Brigham Young University, Brigham Young Academy, and one from Ricks Normal College. Includes diplomas for George H. Brimhall, Edwin S. Hinckley, Margaret Vilate Elliott, Karl G. Maeser and Hester Mabel Warner. Items date from between 1870 and 1953.

Dates: 1870-1953

Graduate School records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1352
Scope and Contents

Contains materials from the Graduate School that pertain to internships and research. The materials include correspondence, reports, dissertations, notes, awards, and memorandums from 1956 to 1981.

Dates: 1956-1981

C. Wilfred Griggs records on Ramses II exhibit

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 689
Scope and Contents

Contains the working files of C. Wilfred Griggs on the Ramses II exhibit at Brigham Young University. This includes budget records, publicity, legal records, files on Ramses II lecture and lecturers, awards, complaints, and meeting minutes. Dated 1985-1987.

Dates: 1985-1987

H. Tracy Hall papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 3204
Abstract

The collection primarily documents Hall's career as a chemist as well as personal history, 1881-2002.

Dates: 1881-2002

Rex E. Lee papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2017
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, briefs, clippings, photographs, awards, and other material documenting the life and career of Rex E. Lee. Includes materials from his work with the Jennings, Strouss, & Salmon law firm, the establishment of Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark School of Law, Lee's service as assistant United States Attorney General, his service as United States Solicitor General, and his tenure as president of Brigham Young University. Materials date from between 1910 and 1996.

Dates: 1910-1996