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:

Biography of Jean Elizabeth Fossum May

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2083
Scope and Contents Compiled by James A. May about his mother, Jean Fossum May, drawing heavily on her letters, journals, and notes. Gives detailed information about her life in Baker, Oregon, 1906-1959; service as a missionary in the California Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1927-1928; marriage to Andrew May, 1930; family life (as a widow after 1933); service as head resident of Stover Hall (men's housing) on the campus of Brigham Young University, 1959-1969; and efforts to...
Dates: 1990-1998
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Biography of Jean Elizabeth Fossum May

BYU and I, 1956-1998

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329101]
Identifier: MSS SC 3012
Scope and Contents

Account of his conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1957; and education and employment at Brigham Young University. Also recounts some family information.

Dates: 1999
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / BYU and I, 1956-1998

A career at BYU

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329267]
Identifier: MSS SC 3021
Scope and Contents

Reflections on her associations with Brigham Young University as a student, 1929-1939; and faculty member, 1945-1977. She worked in the Home Economics Department and the Clothing and Textiles Department.

Dates: 1999
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / A career at BYU

The challenges and the joys of one lifetime

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230340918]
Identifier: MSS SC 2912
Scope and Contents Two-part autobiography written primarily in 1981 and 1995. Part one recalls his early life in Peterson, Utah, 1918-1931; and Morgan, Utah, 1931-1936. Also recounts experiences as undergraduate and graduate student at Brigham Young University, 1936-1942; PhD candidate at Stanford University, 1942-1945; and faculty member and administrator at Brigham Young University, 1945-1983. Part two covers period 1982-1995. Subjects include his participation in BYU study abroad program in Vienna, 1982;...
Dates: 1981-1995
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / The challenges and the joys of one lifetime

Life story of Agnes Howe Corbridge

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230331479]
Identifier: MSS SC 3019
Scope and Contents Autobiography of Agnes Howe Corbridge contains memories of her childhood in Murray, Utah; church service; attendance at the University of Utah, 1934-1938; teaching at Preston High School (Idaho), 1938-1942; marriage; and travels. Autobiography of Ivan L. Corbridge contains memories of his childhood in Malad, Idaho; church service, including a Latter-day Saint Mission to Australia; service in the U.S. Air Force during World War II; attendance at Utah State University; and work as faculty at...
Dates: 1993
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Life story of Agnes Howe Corbridge

I remember when

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230328913]
Identifier: MSS SC 2983
Scope and Contents Autobiography details memories of his childhood in Salt Lake County, Utah; church service, including a Latter-day Saint Mission to the Central States, 1937-1939; attendance at BYU; service in the U.S. Navy during World War II; marriage; teaching LDS seminary in Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah; teaching LDS institute at University of Alberta (Canada) and Southern Utah University; employment at BYU; service as president of the Southwest Indian Mission; and service as president of Hawaii Temple...
Dates: 1997
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / I remember when

Jens J. Jonsson recollections and vita

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329093]
Identifier: MSS SC 2977
Scope and Contents

Contains information about his youth, education, family, church callings, health, professional accomplishments, retirement, and travels.

Dates: 1992-1995
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Jens J. Jonsson recollections and vita

Leaves from my journal

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329143]
Identifier: MSS SC 2910
Scope and Contents

History of Entre Nous and its members, compiled by Marge Bitter, Irene Ricks, Lola Smith, and Robert J. Smith. Includes lists of officers, 1951-1984; constitutions; brief history of the organization; list of each member's birth place and current residence; and autobiographical sketches of twenty-six members. Includes photographic images of club members and their husbands.

Dates: 1982-1984
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Leaves from my journal

My life story

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2992
Scope and Contents Recalls his early life in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Twin Falls, Idaho; farming; attendance at Albion State Normal School, 1935-1937, Utah State University, 1946-1949, and Northern Colorado University, 1949-1951; teaching elementary school in Declo, Idaho, 1937-1942; service in U.S. Air Force during World War II; marriage; employment as academic dean and professor of education psychology at Peru State Teacher's College (Nebraska) 1951-1954; employment in counseling center and Department of...
Dates: 1983-1999
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / My life story

My turn on earth : reflections at sixty-five

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329085]
Identifier: MSS SC 2972
Scope and Contents Contains information about his early life, education, LDS Church callings and service, employment, family, health, retirement, and favorite quotes. Recounts his early life in Eden, Arizona, 1927-1936; and Thatcher, Arizona, 1949-1952. Also comments on his activities at the University of California Berkeley, 1956-1964; missionary service, 1947-1949; service as a mission president, 1965-1968; work on Brigham Young University faculty, 1962-1992; and residence in Provo, Utah, beginning in...
Dates: 1992; 1992
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / My turn on earth : reflections at sixty-five

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.