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 18 Collections and/or Records:

Adam S. Bennion papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1
Scope and Contents

Speeches, meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, and miscellaneous items. The materials relate to Bennion's personal, educational, business, and religious activities. The largest amount of the materials relate to his speeches. The bulk of correspondence is between other apostles and general authorities of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1909-1958

Virginia F. Cutler autobiography and funeral recording and transcript

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2573
Abstract

This collection contains two items: her autobiography and funeral services tapes and transcription. The autobiography is photocopies of a typewritten autobiography with handwritten corrections in which Cutler writes about her early life, her education, her teaching career, her travels, and her other activities. The funeral tapes are two cassette tapes with a transcript copy.

Dates: 1970; 1993

Virginia F. Cutler papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1802
Scope and Contents

Contains certificates, pamphlets, scrapbooks, and theses documenting Cutler's education and career as an educator. The theses are for both her master's and her doctor's degrees.

Dates: 1926-1975

Department of Theatre and Cinematic Arts administrative records, 1965-1978

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1180 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the administration of the Department of Theatre and Cinematic Arts from 1965 to 1978. Materials include correspondence between the head of the department, minutes of meetings, and materials related to the different activities and programs. Dated 1965-1978.

Dates: 1965-1978

Department of Theatre and Film chair records, 1973-1994

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1180 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the activites of the department head of the Department of Theatre and Film from 1973 to 1994. The materials include the correspondence, project proposals and updates, and minutes of meetings. Dated 1973-1994.

Dates: 1973-1994

Edwin Smith Hinckley papers

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230348820]
Identifier: MSS 352
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, speeches, reports, and biographies. These materials relate to Hinckley's work at Brigham Young University as a faculty member and on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, as superintendent of the Utah State Industrial School, and as secretary of the Provo Chamber of Commerce. The biographies are eulogies given by Hinckley's friends and associates.

Dates: 1892-1962

James E. Talmage journals, daybooks, and other materials, 1879-1933

 Series
Identifier: MSS 229 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains the journals, pocket diaries, and a personal account book kept by James E. Talmage from December 1879 to July 4, 1933. These diaries cover his life from his time as a student at Brigham Young Academy, through his graduate school and academic career, and finally to his time spent as a member of Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dates: 1879-1933

James E. Talmage lectures, 1886-1912, 1928 May 20

 Series
Identifier: MSS 229 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains lecture notes and published reports of lectures given by James E. Talmage, from 1886 to 1912, as well as an program for a baccalaureate address at Weber College on May 20, 1928. Most of the lectures are on various scientific and historical topics.

Dates: 1886-1912; 1928 May 20

Mieth P. Maeser papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197239130955]
Identifier: MSS 9410
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of the Mieth Maeser family, many of which are taken in the New England area, yearbooks from Brigham Young University and Murdock Academy, and a biography of Karl G. Maeser written by Mabel Maeser Tanner. Dated 1918 to 1982.

Dates: 1918-1982

Morris A. Shirts papers on Brigham Young University, 1952-1959

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2227 Series 3 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with Brigham Young University. Material dates from 1952-1959.

Dates: 1952-1959