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 9 Collections and/or Records:

Brigham Young University artifacts

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 838
Scope and Contents

Materials include artifacts related to the history of Brigham Young University. Included are a gavel of Y Calcares, plaques, student banners, and other items. Dated 1950-1980.

Dates: 1950-1980

Brigham Young University centennial pins

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233236568]
Identifier: UA 857
Scope and Contents

Four pins containing BYU centennial logo, one of which includes a service slogan.

Dates: 1975

Brigham Young University cloth memorabilia

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1166
Scope and Contents

Brigham Young University-related memorabilia from the 1930s and 1970s. Contains a pillow cover, sweater, school pennant and a sash with the name Sauer on it, a Centennial banner of the Tree of Life, and a flag with a block Y on it.

Dates: 1930s; 1970s

Brigham Young University fraternity artifacts

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197233236543]
Identifier: UA 858
Scope and Contents Includes paddle used during Hansen's initiation into the Tausig (Tau Sigma) social unit at Brigham Young University. Contains several signatures of active members, gathered by Hansen as a pledge (prospective member). Also includes Hansen's Tausig membership certificate, January 9, 1848, and membership cards for Tau Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta, and Intercollegiate Knights. Also includes sew-on cloth emblem for Intercollegiate Knights. Cover letter, June 14, 1996, contains additional information...
Dates: approximately 1948-1950

Brigham Young University pennants

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 873
Scope and Contents

Materials include three Brigham Young University pennants. One shows the university logo, the second shows the school mascot, and the third shows the university initials. Dated approximately 1920-1970.

Dates: approximately 1920-1970

Lantern

 Item — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232585387]
Identifier: UA 5717
Scope and Contents

Lantern with red globe, dating approximately from the year 1933.

Dates: approximately 1933

Oliver R. Smith artifacts and Hill Cumorah Pageant records, undated

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2087 Series 6
Scope and Contents From the Collection: The six series in the Oliver R. Smith papers are arranged according to genre type. The first series contains Smith's correspondence. The second includes various family newsletters as well as writings by and about Smith. The third series is comprised of university memoranda from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Another small series contains various photographs, including several of BYU. The largest series is Smith's subject files which contain information on BYU student clubs such as Delta Phi,...
Dates: undated

Cornelius Rawlings Peterson sweater, coat, and hat

 Collection — Carton 1: [Barcode: 31197232516556]
Identifier: UA 716
Scope and Contents

Contains a student council school sweater, a leather coat decorated with a cougar head painted by Glen Potter, and a felt hiking hat with pins awarded for each year of the Timp Hike (1935-1946).

Dates: 1935-1936

Oliver R. Smith papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2087
Abstract Includes correspondence, family newsletters and news clippings, university memoranda, photographs, artifacts, and a few Hill Cumorah Pageant files. Subject files contain information on BYU student clubs, including Delta Phi, Kappa Tau Alpha, Omega Nu, and Sigma Delta Chi, and information on organizations with which he was affiliated, such as the US Air Force Reserve, Association of Educators of Journalism, Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association, National Council of College Publications...
Dates: 1935-1979