Skip to main content
Intellect

Brent L. Top new dean of Religious Education at BYU

Brigham Young University Academic Vice President Brent W. Webb has announced the appointment of Brent L. Top as dean of Religious Education. Top, who has been serving as the chair of the Department of Church History and Doctrine, began his five-year term as dean July 1.

Replacing Top as department chair is Richard E. Bennett, who was an associate dean to Dean Terry Ball. He is being replaced by Dana M. Pike, who has been the publications director of BYU’s Religious Studies Center. The other associate dean of Religious Education, Dennis Wright, is retiring from BYU and is being replaced by Robert C. Freeman, who has been the associate chair of the Department of Church History and Doctrine.

Top received broad support from the faculty and strong endorsement from the search committee and has the full confidence of the BYU administration. He brings a combination of experiences that prepare him well for this new responsibility. He is looking forward to working with Religious Education and helping to continue in its progress and development.

“The search committee had a difficult task because there were several other very qualified candidates. We appreciate the willingness of these candidates to be considered,” said Webb. “I am also deeply grateful to Dean Terry Ball, who has provided fine service to Religious Education and has brought insights and skills to our university councils,” he concluded.

Top is a professor of Church history and doctrine. He received all of his degrees from BYU — a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in instructional media, and a docorate in instructional science and technology. Prior to joining the BYU Religious Education faculty in 1987, he worked for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Educational System as a released-time seminary teacher, an institute teacher and an administrator.

He served as associate dean of Religious Education from 1997 to 2002 and held the Endowed Professorship in Moral Education for two years prior to his call as president of the Illinois Peoria Mission of the Church from 2004 to 2007. He was appointed department chair in June 2009.

For more information, contact Lori Soza, lori_soza@byu.edu, (801) 422-2736.

Writer: Lori Soza

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Cougar Quinoa: BYU, Washington State University release new quinoa varieties to address global food security, nutrition

June 01, 2023
Scientists at Brigham Young University and Washington State University have developed a version of the protein-rich quinoa plant that can survive and thrive in the often-harsh growing conditions of Rwanda and other African countries.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU team using wearable nanocomposite sensor and AI to create prescription-like system for chronic back pain

May 24, 2023
To find effective therapies for chronic low back pain, and to help curb opioid addiction, the NIH created the Back Pain Consortium Research Program. BYU is one of 10 major universities (along with Harvard, Ohio State and the University of Utah) tapped to help with this effort, and new work from researchers here has led to a system to prescribe patient-specific back pain remedies like doctors would prescribe medication.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Motivated by a love of God and His children, BYU student helps others find belonging

May 18, 2023
Devoted BYU student Josie Zenger combines her passion for research and community, helping to create a sense of belonging for all students.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=