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 54 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on articles of incorporation, 1949-1953

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the Board of Trustees regarding the articles of incorporation. A copy of the original deed for the university included. Record keeping dates from 1949 to 1953.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1953

Office of the President records on associations, 1948-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and other associations, councils, societies and departments regarding meetings, conventions, funds, and newsletters. Dates of record keeping from 1948 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1948-1956

Office of the President records on Auxiliary Services, 1949-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between BYU administration regarding housing, food services, mail, press, purchasing, and the bookstore. Dated 1949 to 1956.

Dates: 1949-1956

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1951

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Correspondence regarding obtaining a copy of the Pope's address on the topic of birth control, as well as the article. Also includes correspondence regarding Catholic student's requirements. Dated 1951.

Dates: 1951

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and local and general authority Church leaders concerning seminaries, institutes, student wards, events, etc. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1944-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and reports pertaining to Ricks College, LDS Business College, Juarez Academy and the Brigham Young University schools in the Pacific. Materials discuss finances, enrollment, and the unification of the church school systems. Dated 1944 to 1958.

Dates: 1944-1958

Office of the President records on commencement, 1950-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains addresses, correspondence and programs relating to Brigham Young University commencement exercises and honorary degrees in Provo. Materials dated 1950 to 1957.

Dates: 1950-1957

Office of the President records on committees, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains membership lists, annual reports and correspondence between 1951 to 1956 from various committees at Brigham Young University.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on Communism, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 23
Scope and Contents

Contains articles warning againsat the threat of communism as well as memos and letters between BYU faculty discussing measures against communism in the community. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on complaints and complements, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memos, majority from or to Ernest L. Wilkinson, university leaders, church leaders, city/local officials, and others, dated from 1951 to 1956. Letters discuss invitations to events, appreciation for actions taken, as well as suggestions and complaints. These opinions are in regards to the university, students, events, etc.

Dates: 1951-1956