Skip to main content
Intellect

Ernest L. Wilkinson

With the foundation laid by his six predecessors, coupled with the growth of the Church, improved economic conditions, and the unusual support of President David O. McKay and the Board of Trustees, Ernest L. Wilkinson made his contribution by building, in terms of full-time students, the nation's largest private university. Under his administration the dreams of Maeser, Hinckley, Kelly, Sperry, and others concerning the building of great tabernacles of learning on Temple Hill became a reality; some seventy-seven permanent and eighty-two temporary buildings were constructed during his presidency. Of more importance, the growth in size and quality of the student body paralleled the physical growth of the campus. The size and professional stature of the faculty and the intellectual standards of the University also increased. Also under his administration and on his recommendation, ten stakes and 104 branches of the LDS Church were established on campus. This he considered his greatest contribution.

"This university must assume the educational leadership which those who established and continued it envisioned." —Ernest L. Wilkinson

07Wilkinson_Ernest1951-1971-1.jpg
Photo by Mark A. Philbrick/BYU Photo

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

BYU earns trio of No. 1 rankings to start new school year

September 10, 2024
It’s the beginning of a new school year at Brigham Young University, and what better way to celebrate than with a trio of new No. 1 rankings from The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The Princeton Review?
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU study examines effects of full-day kindergarten on maternal work-life balance and family time

September 03, 2024
The study suggests that full-day kindergarten can ease maternal responsibilities and provide more flexibility in family schedules, while still maintaining quality time with children.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU alum’s project brings Native American traditions to the forefront

August 27, 2024
Fueled by a connection to his ancestors and culture, recent BYU grad Eugene Tapahe is on a mission to heal hearts through Native American dance.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=