Cecil O. Samuelson

Cecil O. Samuelson Jr.
Samuelson leading the April 2008 commencement exercises at BYU
First Quorum of the Seventy
October 1, 1994 (1994-10-01) – October 1, 2011 (2011-10-01)
End reasonGranted general authority emeritus status
Presidency of the Seventy
August 15, 2001 (2001-08-15) – April 5, 2003 (2003-04-05)
End reasonHonorably released to become president of BYU
Emeritus General Authority
October 1, 2011 (2011-10-01)
12th President of Brigham Young University
In office
May 1, 2003 – May 1, 2014
PredecessorMerrill J. Bateman
SuccessorKevin J Worthen
Personal details
Born (1941-08-01) August 1, 1941 (age 83)
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Utah (BS, MEd, MD)
Spouse(s)Sharon Giauque Samuelson

Cecil Osborn Samuelson Jr. (born Aug 1, 1941) is an American retired rheumatologist[1] and professor of medicine who served as the 12th president of Brigham Young University (BYU) from 2003 to 2014. Samuelson is an emeritus general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), a former dean of the school of medicine at the University of Utah, and a former senior vice president of Intermountain Health Care (IHC).[2][3] While he was president at BYU, Samuelson pushed professors and students to raise their expectations and encouraged mentored learning. During his presidency, student enrollment limits stayed constant, new sports coaches were hired, new buildings were built, and a hiring freeze during the Great Recession reduced faculty.

  1. ^ Bergin, M. Sue; McClellan, Jeffrey S. (2003). "Fit for Office". Y Magazine. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  2. ^ "News of the Church: Elder Cecil O. Samuelson, Jr. Of the Seventy". Ensign. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: 103–112. November 1994. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
  3. ^ BYU - Cecil O. Samuelson Archived July 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine