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 34 Collections and/or Records:

Ernest L. Wilkinson papers on junior college program, 1875-1963

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 1 Sub-Series 5 Sub-Series 5
Dates: 1875-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1000, Ernest L. Wilkinson papers / Ernest L. Wilkinson personal papers / Ernest L. Wilkinson personal files

Graduate School records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 118
Abstract

Collection includes correspondence to and from Deans Christen Jensen (1953-1954), George H. Hansen (1954-1957), and A. Smith Pond (1957-1959) concerning the graduate programs, policies and requirements for admittance. Also includes memorandums concerning graduate awards, nominations for honorary degrees and the religious influence and standards of Brigham Young University.

Dates: 1952-1969
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Graduate School records

Kenneth R. Hardy papers

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231023315]
Identifier: UA 529
Scope and Contents

Contains materials from Kenneth R. Hardy's time as a psychology professor including correspondence, book lists, reports, and proposals from various university committees, 1955-1965.

Dates: 1955-1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Kenneth R. Hardy papers

J. Gordon Daines III and P. Bradford Westwood papers on exhibit, 2006-2008

 Series — Carton 2: Series 1; Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197233601746]
Identifier: UA 5602 Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to the exhibit Designing BYU: Planning, Architecture, Landscape, 1875-2007 that was featured in the Harold B. Lee Library from January to May 2008. Included are correspondence for the building of a new 3D model of Brigham Young University campus done by Kinatedar and the accompanying financial estimates and payment forms. There are the original pages and typed transcripts of comments, reactions and responses from visitors to the exhibit and the about what they...
Dates: 2006-2008
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 5602, J. Gordon Daines III and P. Bradford Westwood papers on Designing BYU

James H. Backman papers on academic internships, 1977-2005

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 7666 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains records related to Backman's work with academic internships at Brigham Young University, in particular with the Jacobsen Center for Service and Learning. Dated 1977 to 2005.

Dates: 1977-2005
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 7666, James H. Backman papers

Office of the President records on curriculum, 1950-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, reports, proposals and lists written by and for members of Brigham Young University faculty and administration between 1950 to 1956. The papers concern changes to curriculum, enrollment of graduate students, teacher loads and general academic statisitics.

Dates: 1950-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on economy suggestion, 1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 20
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including the Church School System, federal aid, finance, enrollment statistics, and general correspondence between administration. Dates of record keeping from 1937 to 1960.

Dates: 1957
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on economy suggestions, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 29
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and proposals of suggestions on how BYU departments could better handle funds, most written by Joseph T. Bentley. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on eminent domain, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters and proposals regarding the right of eminent domain to private institutions of higher learning in the state of Utah. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on human relations, 1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 40
Scope and Contents

Contains a proposal for a center for human relations and leadership development at BYU. Materials dated approximately 1960.

Dates: 1960
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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.