Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University
Name	Brigham Young University
Established	1875
Type	Private research university
Religious affiliation	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
President	C. Shane Reese
City	Provo
State	Utah
Country	United States
Campus	College town, 560 acres
Students	34,401 (Fall 2023)
Faculty	1,200 full-time
Endowment	$2.5 billion (2023)

Brigham Young University. It is a private research university in Provo, Utah, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Named for the church's second president, Brigham Young, the institution is the flagship of the Church Educational System and is widely recognized for its undergraduate teaching and distinctive religious environment. The university's mission integrates rigorous academic study with faith in Jesus Christ, adhering to a strict honor code that governs student behavior.

History

The institution was founded in 1875 as Brigham Young Academy by Brigham Young and its first principal, Karl G. Maeser. It was established to provide education consistent with the principles of the Latter Day Saint movement. After surviving significant financial challenges in the late 19th century, it was reorganized as Brigham Young University in 1903 under the leadership of its third president, George H. Brimhall. Key growth occurred under presidents like Franklin S. Harris, who expanded graduate programs, and Ernest L. Wilkinson, who oversaw massive physical expansion and increased enrollment following World War II. Its accreditation was secured through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Academics

The university is organized into colleges including the J. Reuben Clark Law School, the Marriott School of Business, and the College of Fine Arts and Communications. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is noted for strong programs in linguistics, accounting, and animation. The curriculum requires all students to complete an extensive general education program that includes religion courses on topics like the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. The Harold B. Lee Library is a major research repository, and the university operates several research centers such as the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum and the BYU Motion Picture Studio.

Campus

The main campus is situated at the base of Y Mountain in Provo, with iconic buildings like the Joseph Smith Building, the Eyring Science Center, and the Museum of Art. The university also maintains the BYU–Hawaii campus in Laie and the BYU–Idaho campus in Rexburg. Other facilities include the Jerusalem Center in Israel and extensive athletic complexes. The campus architecture is largely Collegiate Gothic, with recent additions like the Life Sciences Building incorporating modern sustainable design.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the BYU Cougars, compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The football program, which played a key role in the Supreme Court decision that reshaped college television contracts, has produced notable players like Steve Young and won a national championship in 1984. Other successful programs include men's volleyball, which has won multiple national titles, and basketball, with players such as Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette. The university's athletic director is Tom Holmoe.

Student life

Student life is heavily influenced by the honor code, which includes standards on dress, grooming, and abstinence from alcohol and premarital sex. A large majority of students are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Campus activities are often organized through the Student Association and wards of the church. Popular traditions include attending Devin and Toni’s weekly campus devotionals and participating in the annual BYU Spectacular show. Over 75% of students speak a second language, reflecting the high rate of participation in the church's missionary program.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former U.S. Senator Harry Reid, and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul D. Boyer. Notable figures in media and arts include filmmaker Stephen Gyllenhaal, novelist Brandon Sanderson, and journalist Jane Clayson. Distinguished former faculty include author and scholar Hugh Nibley, computer graphics pioneer Edwin Catmull, and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson. Many alumni have achieved significant recognition in business, such as JetBlue founder David Neeleman and former Deloitte CEO James H. Quigley.

Category:Brigham Young University Category:Universities and colleges in Utah Category:1875 establishments in Utah