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 20 Collections and/or Records:

Jennifer Reeder interview with Catherine Bowles

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2947
Scope and Contents

Oral history of Catherine Bowles, from an interview conducted by Jenny Reeder.

Dates: 2004
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Jennifer Reeder interview with Catherine Bowles

Brigham Young University 1st Branch quarterly historical reports

 Item — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197239248187]
Identifier: MSS 9011
Scope and Contents Contains historical reports of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young University 1st Branch (Provo, Utah), the first student branch at Brigham Young University. Descibes the Branch's activities, callings and releases. Includes lists of sustainings and releases, lists of all the Branch's callings, and quarterly reports. Also covers the history of the Brigham Young Universty First Branch from approximately 1956-1977, including being twice reassigned to a different stake,...
Dates: approximately 1956-1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young University 1st Branch quarterly historical reports

Brigham Young University 2nd Ward scrapbook

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321447]
Identifier: MSS SC 2304
Scope and Contents

Bound scrapbook (42 pages) with newsletters, poems, newspaper clippings, programs, brochures, and miscellaneous items relating to the BYU 2nd Ward Relief Society. Materials document the activities of the ward's women between 1956 and 1962.

Dates: 1956-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Brigham Young University 2nd Ward scrapbook

Roy Watkins Doxey papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3270
Scope and Contents

The papers of Roy Watkins Doxey contain research notes and materials, scrapbooks, correspondence, graduate student papers, and family history materials.

Dates: approximately 1944-1974
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Roy Watkins Doxey papers

Eph and Verena : a Hatch family history

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2236
Scope and Contents Autobiographical and family history of the Hatch family, privately published. The family lived in Provo, Utah. It deals with life in the mid to the end of the 20th Century in a primarily Mormon community. Some of the most important topics in the volumes include: Mormon missionary work, local and churchwide music, and the everyday events of a family in the mid to latter portion of the twentieth century. Includes Hatch's planning and architectural work for BYU Physical Plant as well as Provo...
Dates: 1920-2000
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Eph and Verena : a Hatch family history

Friends of the Brigham Young University Library publications

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 5938
Scope and Contents Contains large cover page materials used to create library publication. Included in the collection are templates for illustrations for the "Friends of the Brigham Young University Library Newsletter" from 1987 (Mormon Imprints in Great Britain and the Empire, 1836-1857) and from 1989 (The Mutiny on the Bounty). Also in the collection is a catalog of the exhibition The Beautiful Illusion of Substance: Four Photographers and the American West published by Friends of the Brigham Young...
Dates: approximately 1987-1990
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Friends of the Brigham Young University Library publications

Historical Department collection of photographs of Brigham Young University

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3700
Scope and Contents Contains photographs taken at and around Brigham Young University (BYU) campus from the 1920s through the 1970s. Many of the photographs were used in church magazines by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The photographs document the changes on BYU campus through aerial photographs as well as photos of the various buildings constructed on campus through this time period. Several prominent church leaders as well as important university faculty members can be seen in the...
Dates: approximately 1920-1970
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Historical Department collection of photographs of Brigham Young University

Wesley P. Lloyd papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231043842]
Identifier: MSS 2312
Scope and Contents

The collection contains photocopies of seven journals dating from 1929-1958 and miscellaneous papers, 1939-1977. The papers are mostly published articles written by Lloyd on education and religious themes, and education in Japan.

Dates: 1929-1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Wesley P. Lloyd papers

Lucele K. Christiansen papers, 1949-2008

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 4116 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains materials created by Lucele K. Christiansen regarding her life as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1949 to 1951 and regarding family life in later years. Includes journals, photographs, a life story, and a scrapbook. Materials primarily deal with the details of daily life, church subjects, interaction with family, and interaction with friends and acquaintances.

Dates: 1949-2008
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 4116, John R. Christiansen family papers

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.