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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 76 Collections and/or Records:

A. Harold Goodman reminiscences

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230330133]
Identifier: MSS SC 3108
Scope and Contents

Recalls his early life in various communities in Arizona, education, career in music conducting and higher education, family life, and church service, including as president of the England London Mission, 1982-1985.

Dates: approximately 1989-1997
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / A. Harold Goodman reminiscences

Owen S. Rich papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2127
Abstract

The collection contains correspondence, reports, autobiographies, and audiocassettes from Owen S. Rich. The materials pertain to his professional career as a teacher and founding of KBYU.

Dates: 1949-2012
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Owen S. Rich papers

Seymour Kenneth Robbins autobiographical sketch

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329986]
Identifier: MSS SC 2999
Scope and Contents

Contains brief information on his early life in Salt Lake City, education, church service, family, and employment.

Dates: 1999; 1999
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Seymour Kenneth Robbins autobiographical sketch

Ruff family history collection, approximately 1937-2020

 Series — Box 4: Series 5; Series 6 [Barcode: 31197239126888], Folder: 4
Identifier: MSS 9407 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Digital copies of diaries, photographs, letters, autobiographies, articles, poems, and other writings, and ephemera such as clippings, programs and invitations. Also includes artwork and other advertising work by G. Robert Ruff, and his military records. Stored on M-disc and a flash drive. Dated appproximately 1937 to 2020.

Dates: approximately 1937-2020
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 9407, G. Robert Ruff papers

Stephen H. Russell papers on alleged 1966-1967 spy ring at Brigham Young University

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329473]
Identifier: MSS SC 2939
Scope and Contents Author shares his perspectives on controversy in which he was involved at BYU during administration of President Ernest L. Wilkinson, in which some professors claimed that the administration was using students to spy on them. Includes a chapter from author's personal history; relevant pages from a published history, "Brigham Young University: A House of Faith," with reference marks added by Russell; and his comments on specific points in the published history. Other persons mentioned...
Dates: 1983-1986
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Stephen H. Russell papers on alleged 1966-1967 spy ring at Brigham Young University

A short history of my life

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230328749]
Identifier: MSS SC 2947
Scope and Contents Reviews his early life in Provo and Spanish Fork, Utah, including references to activities on the family farm; attendance at Brigham Young Junior High, High School, and University, including comments about playing on basketball and tennis teams; marriage to Patricia Peterson, 1956; training and work as a dentist; service as a bishop at BYU, 1964-1969; teaching religion classes at BYU beginning in 1969; other church and community service; and his family. The first six pages of narrative,...
Dates: 1976-1985
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / A short history of my life

Afton K. and L. Sid Shreeve autobiographical information

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2100
Scope and Contents Includes "The Land Shadowing with Wings," by Lyman S. Shreeve, a compilation of correspondence, 1955-1991; reports, news clippings, and narrative. The account briefly documents his early life in St. Johns, Arizona, 1915-1930s; Latter-day Saint mission to Argentina, 1936-1938; second mission to Argentina, accompanied by his wife, 1945-1948; service as mission president in Uruguay and Paraguay, 1951-1955; work as director of Utah Society for Crippled Children and Adults, 1956-1959; work as...
Dates: 1955-1997
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Afton K. and L. Sid Shreeve autobiographical information

R. Phil Shumway autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230330141]
Identifier: MSS SC 3104
Scope and Contents Recalls his early life in Taylor, Arizona; service in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 1942-1945, in Guadalcanal and elsewhere, including descriptions of ocean landing near New Hebrides in April 1944 and experiences prior to his rescue nine days later; education and professional activities; family life; community service, including on the Alpine School Board; and church service, especially in Orem, Utah. Includes details of his release as stake president in meetings presided over by Elder Theodore...
Dates: 1981
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / R. Phil Shumway autobiography

Wilford E. Smith personal narratives

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2112
Scope and Contents Includes four volumes of autobiographical writings and two volumes of poems, essays, addresses, messages to his children, and other information. Autobiographical writings reflect his early life in Holladay, Utah, 1916-1934; work for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Utah, 1935; Latter-day Saint mission to New Zealand, 1936-1938; experiences as a student athlete at Brigham Young University, 1939, and the University of Utah, 1940-1943; service as a chaplain in World War II; experiences as a...
Dates: approximately 1980-1998
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Wilford E. Smith personal narratives

John C. Swensen papers

 Collection — Carton 1: [Barcode: 31197231013175]
Identifier: MSS 6772
Scope and Contents Contains histories, correspondence and other ephemera that pertains to his personal, professional and church life. Much of the collection refers to Stanford University where he attended. Brigham Young Academy/University is mentioned throughout as he attended school there as well as taught. John C. was very involved in pedagogy which is reflected through these papers. Much of the collection consists of letters from prior students of John C. Swensen. Writings of his autobiography are also...
Dates: 1848-1953
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / John C. Swensen papers

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