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Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies administrative records, 1961-1998

 Series
Identifier: UA 1072 Series 2

Scope and Contents

Contains administrative records for the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies collected by Robert C. Taylor, dated 1961-1998. Includes financial records, letters, memorandums, proposals, reports, clippings, minutes and agendas, and various booklets, pamphlets, and other publications, as well as journals and histories. Topics include the academic development of the center, BYU Travel study programs, development of a film on Abraham, and diplomatic relations in Israel.

Dates

  • 1961-1998

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Donor restricted until 2052; permission to use materials must be obtained from the Board of Curators and Board of Trustees. Materials in [xxx] kept in cold storage; access requires 24 hours advance notice.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Robert C. Taylor papers must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

Robert "Bob" C. Taylor was born April 17, 1927, in Salt Lake City to Frank C. and Bessie T. Taylor. Taylor served in the United States Coast Guard from March 1945 to May 1946. He was a German-reading specialist. He then attended the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he received a bachelor's degree in speech in 1952. Upon graduating, Taylor went to Hollywood and worked as a staff assistant for the Howard Hughes Production company and as president of the Deseret Theatrical Artists of Hollywood Association until 1959. While working in California, Taylor married Katherine Cook, who was a model and an actress in several of the productions made by Howard Hughes. THey had three children, Mark, Michael, and Michele. In 1959, Taylor was named as the chairman of the Brigham Young University Travel Studies Program, replacing Dr. Jay B. Hunt. Taylor was instrumental in obtaining permission to build the BYU Jerusalem Center and oversaw its completion. He worked for BYU the Travel Studies program until his retirement. Taylor passed away in 1995, and Katherine Cook Taylor passed away in 2003.

Biographical / Historical

From the Collection:

The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies serves as the hub for Brigham Young University's study abroad program in Jerusalem. Brigham Young University students study and live at the Jerusalem Center during their stay in the Holy Land. Students study a core curriculum that focuses on Old and New Testament, ancient and modern Near Eastern studies, and either the Hebrew or Arabic language.

The Center itself is located on Mount Scopus overlooking the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City. The 125,000 square-foot, eight-level structure rests on five acres of gardens. The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies contains dormitory and apartment facilities for students and faculty, cafeteria facilities, classrooms, gymnasium, computer facilities, library, various auditoriums and theaters, lecture rooms, and offices.

Funding for the center was raised in the 1980s, and the center was dedicated by Howard W. Hunter, then President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on May 16, 1989.

Extent

12 boxes

12 folders

2 oversize folders

1 volume

Language of Materials

English

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