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 27 Collections and/or Records:

Barbara Lucille Hall papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1670
Scope and Contents

Collection includes poems, correspondence, diaries, autobiographical sketches, and miscellaneous items written or collected by Barbara Lucille Hall.

Dates: 1976-1983

LeRoy F. Harlow autobiography

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232481587]
Identifier: MSS 2091
Scope and Contents Extensive account of LeRoy F. Harlow's early life in the Snoqualmie Valley, Washington and San Francisco, California. Also details his experiences in the United States Army; attendance at Iowa State College, 1934-38; working in numerous places for city and community governments; work as a management and finance consultant; work on the faculty of Brigham Young University in organizational management, 1967-1978; writing; and other activities during his retirement. Includes extensive...
Dates: 1983-1995

J. Joel Moss correspondence, scrapbooks, and other material, 1915-2004

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3789 Series 2 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Personal papers, mission correspondence, other correspondence from family, friends, and so forth, as well as scrapbooks from the life of Joel Moss.

Dates: 1915-2004

Joseph B. Keeler family papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2016
Scope and Contents

Includes journals, biographical sketches, correspondence, articles, lesson manuals, published and unpublished manuscripts, photographs, and ephemera. The bulk of the material was created by Joseph B. Keeler's descendants, who used his papers as they compiled their published family history, "Build Thee More Stately" (1989). The collection focuses on family history, religion, education, and professional organizations.

Dates: approximately 1840-1990

Audra Call and J. Joel Moss papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 3789
Scope and Contents Collection contains letters of correspondence throughout the lives of Audra and Joel Moss, including World War II, mission and traveling letters; course materials for various marriage and family life courses and workshops; scrapbooks (including ones from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, Greece, New Zealand, Egypt, Israel, Norway, Denmark, France, England and Italy); journals (including one of John W. Moss from 1915); church and various family related...
Dates: 1915-2004

Lowry Nelson papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 223
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and typewritten correspondence, essays, social surveys, articles, and student papers. Most of the items deal with Nelson's social research on Mormon communities in Utah and Canada.

Dates: 1929-1978

Leslie Norris papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2954
Scope and Contents Collection documents the activities and career of Leslie Norris, including his service as a professor and poet laureate at Brigham Young University. It also contains personal materials, including letters which were collected by Norris through correspondence with friends and colleagues over a long period. Some of the important topics and materials represented in the collection are poetry and short stories in varying stages of completion; literary matters and events; academics and school...
Dates: 1921-2008

Office of the President records on Institute of Freedom, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 42
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and Church general authorities. The topic was the proposed Institute of Freedom to help free workers. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on Stake Presidents and Bishops Day, 1959-1961

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 56
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos organizing the festivities for Stake Presidents and Bishops Day on BYU campus. Dated 1959 to 1961.

Dates: 1959-1961

Recollections of Ernest L. Wilkinson

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230330109]
Identifier: MSS SC 3075
Scope and Contents

Includes a tribute to Wilkinson; an address to the Provo Ladies Literary Club, 15 March 1978; and a cover letter, 7 December 2000, to University Archivist at BYU. All items focus on her work with Ernest L. Wilkinson and on details of his life.

Dates: approximately 1975-2000