(Note to editors: There is no period following the "J" in Kevin Worthen's name)
President Cecil O. Samuelson has appointed Kevin J Worthen as Advancement Vice President of Brigham Young University. Worthen will replace K. Fred Skousen, who is retiring after 41 years in academia, 38 of which have been spent at BYU.
Worthen is the current dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School. James D. Gordon III, an associate dean and the Marion B. and Rulon A. Earl Professor of Law, will serve as the interim dean.
"Kevin's broad experience suits him well for this position," said President Samuelson. "As a professor of law, he served as BYU's faculty athletic representative to the NCAA for four years. During his tenure as dean, Kevin also has been involved in alumni and external relations, as well as fundraising efforts for the law school and the university."
Additionally, he said, "Kevin has been an exemplary university citizen, participating on numerous university committees, including serving as chair of the University Athletic Advisory Council from 1992 to 2000."
The transition for this position will take place over the summer, with Worthen accepting full responsibility by the beginning of the new school year. The Advancement Vice President at BYU oversees the areas of Alumni and External Relations, Athletics, Philanthropies, and University Communications.
In making the announcement, President Samuelson paid special tribute to Skousen. "Fred has had a tremendous impact upon BYU," he said, "as a vice president, dean of the Marriott School of Management, director of the School of Accountancy and as a scholar and teacher. He will be greatly missed."
Worthen is the Hugh W. Colton Professor of Law at BYU and has particular expertise in federal Indian law. He is a former Fulbright scholar and clerked for Justice Byron R. White of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Malcolm R. Wilkey of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Court. He also has been an associate attorney for Jennings, Strouss & Salmon in Phoenix.
Worthen earned his bachelor's and juris doctor degrees from BYU. A native of Carbon County, Utah, Worthen earned an associate degree from the College of Eastern Utah, where he was co-captain of the varsity basketball team. While at CEU, he also worked during the summer months as an underground coal miner in the Plateau Mine in Wattis, Utah.
Writer: Arie Dekker
