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 6 Collections and/or Records:

Blair Holmes professional papers, 1972-1987

 Series
Identifier: MSS 3248 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains Holmes' dissertation, a collection of twenty-eight oral histories performed by History 200 students, and news and histories pertaining to Idaho. Dated 1972-1987.

Dates: 1972-1987
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 3248, Blair Holmes papers

Brigham Young University Oral History Project case files, 1965-1982

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 7752 Series 2 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Includes contracts, contact information, and biographical information for the participants, as well as the original audio recordings of the oral history interviews conducted by the Brigham Young University Oral History Project, 1965-1982.

Dates: 1965-1982
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 7752, Charles Redd Center for Western Studies oral history project records / Brigham Young University Oral History Project transcripts and case files

Brigham Young University Oral History Project transcripts, 1965-1982

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 7752 Series 2 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains transcripts of recorded interviews done with participants in the Brigham Young University Oral History Project, as well as background information about those participants, 1965-1982.

Dates: 1965-1982
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 7752, Charles Redd Center for Western Studies oral history project records / Brigham Young University Oral History Project transcripts and case files

Centennial History Project interviews, 1972-1975

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 566 Series 3 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents Contains transcripts of interviews of assorted Unviversity staff, past and present, and card files and compiled lists of the various topical and source codes used by staff researchers. It consists primarily of notes by staff members on personal interviews conducted with university personnel, alumni, and others possessing information concerning the history of the university. Several of these interviews were tap recorded. For several of these taped interviews partial transcripts were produced....
Dates: 1972-1975
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 566, Centennial History Project records / Centennial History Project source material files

Helen Candland Stark oral history, 1975-1990

 Series — Carton 1: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197231038487]
Identifier: MSS 6284 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the oral history of Helen Candland Stark.

Dates: 1975-1990
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 6284, Helen Candland Stark collection

School of Music faculty histories, 2008-2011

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5538 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains histories of faculty members who taught in the Brigham Young University School of Music between 1925 and 2011. The histories consist of oral histories, scrapbooks, reminiscences and musical performances. The oral histories are in both DVD format and printed. The music is on DVDs. Dates range from 2008-2011.

Dates: 2008-2011
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 5538, School of Music records

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.