One of the most recognizable symbols of Brigham Young University is the Y Bell. The bell can be heard ringing after each home basketball victory. Tradition has it that the first bell associated with the university came to Utah with the pioneers. It was donated to Brigham Young Academy shortly after they began classes in …
One of the most colorful individuals associated with the Karl G. Maeser Memorial Building and Brigham Young University was Ernest L. Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s association with Brigham Young University began in 1918 when he became a member of the Student Army Training Corps stationed at Brigham Young University. Wilkinson was billeted in the Karl G. Maeser …
Soon after the death of Karl G. Maeser in 1901, students and alumni began considering ways that they could memorialize their beloved teacher. They eventually decided that a memorial building dedicated to classroom instruction would be appropriate. The original proposal called for the building to be constructed on the southeast corner of lower campus, but …
Brigham Young University celebrated its centennial in 1975 and as part of the celebrations two modernistic sculptures were donated to the university. These sculptures were the “Tree of Wisdom” by Frank Nackos and the “Windows of Heaven” by Frank Riggs. The “Tree of Wisdom” was originally placed north of the Harold B. Lee Library and …
Stanley H. Watts became the head basketball coach at Brigham Young University in January 1949 when Floyd Millet retired. Coach Watts quickly brought the Cougar basketball squad to national prominence. The 1949-1950 team won the Skyline Conference championship and finished third in the NCAA Regional Tournament. The 1950-1951 team would also win a conference championship …
One of the most popular activities during Homecoming week at Brigham Young University is hiking and lighting the Y. Every year several hundred students gather and hike to the top of Y mountain to participate in this activity. Lighting the Y has a long tradition at Brigham Young University. The Y was first lit in …
Brigham Young University has been guided by twelve men over the course of its existence: Warren N. Dusenberry, 1875-1876 Karl G. Maeser, 1876-1892 Benjamin Cluff, Jr., 1892-1903 George H. Brimhall, 1904-1921 Franklin S. Harris, 1921-1945 Howard S. McDonald, 1945-1949 Ernest L. Wilkinson, 1951-1971 Dallin H. Oaks, 1971-1980 Jeffrey R. Holland, 1980-1989 Rex E. Lee, 1989-1996 …
Last Friday Brigham Young University’s football program became independent from conference affiliation. This marks the first time since the 1890s that the football program has not been affiliated with an athletic conference. Last Friday also marked the official affiliation of the majority of Brigham Young University’s other athletic programs, including basketball, with the West Coast …
Brigham Young University’s Center for Animation recently won another student Emmy for their animated short film “DreamGiver.” That brings the total number of student Emmys won by Center for Animation since 2003 to 11–an impressive feat. Many students may not realize that Brigham Young University has a long history of students producing quality films. The …
One of the most iconic emblems of the Brigham Young University campus is the Centennial Carillon Bell Tower. Every day the bells in the tower chime the hour and students are periodically treated to performances by campus carillonneurs. The bell tower was constructed as part of the university’s centennial celebrations in 1975 and was dedicated …