Harold B. Lee Library

Brigham Young University and the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology

Introduction

Brigham Young University is a private university that seeks to develop students of faith, intellect and character who have the skills and the desire to continuing learning and to serve others throughout their lives. Tracing its roots to Utah’s rich pioneer heritage and to Brigham Young Academy, the original school established in 1875, the university continues to provide an outstanding education in an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of its sponsor, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1953 President Ernest L. Wilkinson created the new College of Physical and Engineering Science and appointed Dr. Harvey Fletcher as the first Dean. The new college housed departments from the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering Sciences. The college grew in enrollment and soon departments in the college had their own colleges made. President Dallin H. Oaks saw the advantages in having Technology and Industrial Education align with Engineering Sciences, and in 1972 he announced the creation of the College of Engineering Sciences and Technology. The college consists of the departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and the School of Technology. Brigham Young University’s remarkable history can be uncovered through many of the collections held in the University Archives. The following source materials can get you started on your exploration of Brigham Young University’s College of Engineering and Technology.

Secondary Sources and General information

Collections held by the University Archives will be more useful to your specific research topic after you understand more about the general history of the university. The following resources are available to help you develop that understanding.

• Histories of Brigham Young University
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. Brigham Young University: The First One Hundred Years (4 volumes). Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
  • Wilkinson, Ernest L. and W. Cleon Skousen. Brigham Young University: A School of Destiny.  Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1976.
  • Butterworth, Edwin Jr. Brigham Young University: 1,000 Views of 100 Years. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University Press, 1975.
• Secondary Sources related to the College of Engineering and Technology
  • LD 571 .B672 H36x Centennial history of the college of Physical and Engineering Sciences, Brigham Young University Describes the history and growth of the College of Physical and Engineering Sciences at Brigham Young University starting with the administration of Karl G. Maeser and ending with that of Dallin H. Oaks. Focuses on each of the different departments that make up the college.

Primary Sources

• Sample materials dealing with the Brigham Young University College of Engineering and Technology: A sample of the materials that contain information about BYU’s College of Engineering and Technology. To map out a research strategy, please schedule an appointment with the University Archivist at 422-5821 or gordon_daines@byu.edu for additional help in discovering what other collections we may have that pertain to your research topic.
  • UA 546 Records, 1954-1963 Includes various records of the College, and blueprints for the Eyring Science Center.
  • UA 663 Printed matter files, 1955-1989 Contains Annual Symposium proceedings, College records and correspondence/meeting minutes, faculty meeting minutes of the departments.
  • UA 883 5-year development plan:  for the period 1978-1983, 1978-1983 Outlines plans, anticipated growth, objectives, etc. for the BYU College of Engineering Science and Technology from 1978 to 1983.
• The following items are restricted.  Please contact the University Archivist for more information regarding access to these collections.
  • UA 1299 Records, 1971-2001 The College of Engineering and Technology collection contains minutes from various departments, lecture series information, a history of the department, financial records, and correspondence of the leaders in the college. The Addendum series (1976-2003) is divided into two sub-series. I. Department Records (1976-2002). II. Reports and Files (2000-2003). The department records series contains correspondence and reports from different divisions within the college. The reports and files series contains varied reports from within the college and alumni questionnaires. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
  • UA 1032 Department files, 1977-1987 Contains correspondence from 1977-1987 of the following people in the College of Engineering and Technology: L. Douglas Smoot, David M. Ward, Paul O. Hedman, Dee H. Barker, Kent E. Kohkonen, Michael R. King, Cliff S. Barton, and S. Olani Durrant. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.
  • UA 1278 Convocation records, 1980-1990 Contains the records of the convocations held by the College of Engineering Sciences and Technology from 1980 to 1990. Also contains commencement programs from 1982 to 1990. Restricted for 25 years after the creation of the records and thereafter open to the public after consultation with the University Archivist and in accordance with the General Restriction Statement of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections.

This Popular Search Topics page offers only samplings of materials included in the University Archives that document the history of the Brigham Young University College of Engineering and Technology. Be sure to visit Special Collections to discover other material.