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 1871 Collections and/or Records:

Utah-Idaho Sugar Company production records, 1933-1976

 Series
Identifier: UA 510 Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains the records of the Production Department, consisting of groups of research obtained on various topics, mainly food production. Dated 1933 to 1976, though documents earlier than the late 1950s are gathered research in that time period and not documents produced by the Chemistry Department.

Dates: 1933-1976
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 510, Department of Chemistry records

Utah Trade Unions papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 377
Abstract

Minutes, constitutions, and correspondence of various Utah trade unions.

Dates: 1890-1957
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Utah Trade Unions papers

V Jordan Tanner family papers, approximately 1930-2017

 Series — Box 31: Series 8 [Barcode: 31197239130666]
Identifier: MSS 2257 Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the family of V Jordan Tanner. Includes clippings, publications, writings, and other records on V Jordan Tanner's father, Vasco M. Tanner, and mother, Annie Atkin Tanner. Materials mostly relate to Vasco Tanner's professional activities at Brigham Young University, and writing produced by Annie Atkin Tanner. Dated approximately from 1930 to 2017.

Dates: approximately 1930-2017
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 2257, V Jordan Tanner papers

Curtis N. Van Alfen papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 805
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, reports, research files, and other materials documenting his career as a faculty member.

Dates: 1970-1988
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Curtis N. Van Alfen papers

Viewpoint : BYU's elite administrators tell us how it is

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230327139]
Identifier: MSS SC 2676
Scope and Contents

Typewritten letter. The item is unsigned but was written by an employee of Brigham Young University. The letter ridicules the university's policies, its lack of academic freedom, and also lampoons various faculty members.

Dates: 1993
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Viewpoint : BYU's elite administrators tell us how it is

W. Cleon Skousen papers on publications and speeches, 1939-2005

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9364 Series 4 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains handwritten and annotated drafts, partial manuscripts, contracts, royalty records, lists of publications, speeches and associated programs for speech events, articles, and correspondence regarding publications. Materials relate to "Naked Communist," "Naked Capitalist," "The Making of America," "The Cleansing of America," "The First Two Thousand Years," "The Third Thousand Years," "The Fourth Thousand Years" "The Five Thousand Year Leap," and "So You Want to Raise a Boy?" as well as...
Dates: 1939-2005
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 9364, W. Cleon Skousen papers / W. Cleon Skousen professional papers

W. Cleon Skousen professional papers, 1911-2005

 Series
Identifier: MSS 9364 Series 4
Scope and Contents Contains materials collected or created by W. Cleon Skousen throughout his varied careers and professional activities. Includes letters from Senator Orrin Hatch, religion scholarship research and drafts, documents from several organizations Skousen was affiliated with or founded, drafts and research for various publications and speeches, subject files on his FBI and Salt Lake City Police chief careers, documents from his time as a Brigham Young University professor, and other plaques,...
Dates: 1911-2005
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 9364, W. Cleon Skousen papers

W. Cleon Skousen scrapbooks, 1913-2005

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 9364 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Includes scrapbook pages documenting the personal and professional life of W. Cleon Skousen. Scrapbook pages consist of letters, cards, newspaper clippings, photographs, ephemera, assorted journal entries and commentary, 22 cassette tapes, and other memorabilia. Also includes loose scrapbook material organized into biographical files by year. Materials dated 1913 to 2005.

Dates: 1913-2005
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 9364, W. Cleon Skousen papers

Rex A. Wadham personal papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1717
Scope and Contents The Rex A. Wadham Collection is a collection of the personal papers, original writings, and original illustrations of Dr. Rex A. Wadham. The majority of the papers included in the collection are the original writings and illustrations made by Dr. Wadham for use in the classes that he taught in the School of Education and the Department of Religion during his tenure as a professor at Brigham Young University. Also included are other personal works including but not limited to documents...
Dates: 1963-1986
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Rex A. Wadham personal papers

R. H. Walker papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2137
Scope and Contents Contains reports on the construction, budgeting, and administration of the American University at Beirut, yearbooks, letters, speeches, minutes, and ephemera from R. H. Walker's time at University of Beirut, and other professional papers of Walker related to Brigham Young University and agriculture. Also contains personal papers of R. H. Walker, including papers on his welfare assignments at the stake level for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, family history, clippings on...
Dates: approximately 1952-1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / R. H. Walker papers

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.