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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 8 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

Ross T. Christensen papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1716
Scope and Contents Reflects Ross T. Christensen's service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil, service in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, career as a professor of archaeology at Brigham Young University, activities as a founding member of the Society for Early Historic Archaeology (SEHA), interest in Book of Mormon archaeology, participation in Leadership Week and Education Week on the BYU campus and elsewhere, and family activities. Includes...
Dates: 1939-1990
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Ross T. Christensen papers

Samuel Frederick Curtis papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9035
Scope and Contents Materials include journals, letters, notebooks, photographs, negatives, and audiocassettes of Samuel Frederick "Fred" Curtis and his wife Emmeline Curtis. Topics of materials include Fred's mission in Germany and the mission Samuel and Emmeline later served in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, both for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their family of six children, and Fred's work at and donations to Brigham Young University. Some photographs depict military camps and activities aboard...
Dates: approximately 1930-2017
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Samuel Frederick Curtis papers

Gary P. Gillum correspondence, 1973-2015

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2163 Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums, notes, and letters from Brigham Young University (BYU) faculty, as well as non-BYU correspondence with family, professional colleagues, editors, and Church authorities. The series dates from 1973 to 2015.

Dates: 1973-2015
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2163, Gary P. Gillum papers

J. Wyley Sessions papers on career and full-time church assignments, 1919-1978

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 156 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains papers regarding his profession and church service. Includes materials related to missions he served as the president of, his service with the Institute program, his work at Brigham Young University, and other papers regarding his career.

Dates: 1919-1978
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 156, J. Wyley Sessions papers

J. Wyley Sessions papers

 Collection
Identifier: UA 156
Scope and Contents Collection includes handwritten and typewritten correspondence, newsclippings (photocopies), financial reports and budgets, certificates, documents, poems, articles and speeches concerning his education, career, Church assignments, business pursuits, genealogy and personal and family history. Also includes three reel-to-reel audio tapes with memoirs and advice to posterity. Considering the extent, variety and significance of J. Wyley Sessions' activities and vocations the collection is very...
Dates: 1885-1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / J. Wyley Sessions papers

W. Cleon Skousen papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 9364
Scope and Contents Contains personal papers of W. Cleon Skousen, including diaries and scrapbooks. Also contains professional papers of W. Cleon Skousen, reflecting his varied careers in law enforcement, authorship, research, lecturing, education, and scholarship. Topics include communism, the United States Constitution and government history, government officials, world politics, the Book of Mormon, and police administration.Contains materials on various institutions Skousen affiliated with,...
Dates: 1911-2006
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / W. Cleon Skousen papers

James E. Talmage papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 229
Scope and Contents Contains materials pertaining to the life of James E. Talmage. Includes material from academic, professional, personal, and ecclesiastical endeavors. Academic materials include essays, school notes, notebooks, examinations, and memorabilia from student days in England and the United States. Professional materials include administrative materials, scholarly society materials, scientific research notes, and lectures, generated during Talmage’s time teaching at universities and serving as...
Dates: 1876-1933
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / James E. Talmage papers

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