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50 Years
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Our History
Through the Years
University Highlights

Planting seeds for our college

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1950- The Science Center is dedicated

The Eyring Science Center was originally named the Physical Science building. It was dedicated in 1950 as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebration. Crowds filled the Pendulum Court to witness the dedication.
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1955- Tracy Hall becomes a BYU professor of chemistry and director of research

H. Tracy Hall left his job at General Electric to come to BYU. At GE, Hall had developed a way to synthesize diamonds. While at BYU, he engineered two types of presses, tetrahedral and cubic, that contributed to further success in the making of lab-grown diamonds.
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1960- The Department of Statistics is formed

Dr. Howard Nielson helps establish the department and is named the first chairman
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1960- The anechoic chamber is built

The physics department decided to convert the reverberation chamber into an anechoic chamber for acoustic research. The project was funded by a NSF grant for $9200. This was possibly the first external federal research grant awarded to BYU.
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1967- BYU installs a nuclear reactor for research

The reactor was a 10-watt L77 research reactor and was housed in an underground lab. It was specifically designed to teach nuclear physics and engineering students on a very safe reactor. It was decommissioned in 1992 due to a shortage of students in the nuclear programs.
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1968- The Computer Science Department is formed

Dr. Gary Carlson, the director of BYU Computer Services, was named dean of the new college (with only one department), and Dr. C. Edwin Dean was named chairman of the department.
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1971-

Chemical Thermodynamics: An Introduction,

by J. Rex Goates and J. Bevan Ott is published


This “pumpkin book” (because of its orange color) was used by generations of students and built upon BYU’s expertise in calorimetry.
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1972- Dinosaur Jim discovers the

Supersaurus


BYU paleontologist James "Dinosaur Jim" Jensen discovers fossil remains of the Supersaurus in a quarry near Delta, Colorado.
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1972- BYU Math Department starts using computer-generated exams for their calculus classes

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1972- BYU acquires STRETCH computers

The two surplus computer systems were IBM's 7030 model.
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Our Beginnings

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1973- The College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences is created

The college was created as a result of splitting the College of Physical and Engineering Sciences. The Computer Science Department also joined the college at this time. The founding dean was Jae R. Ballif.
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1974- The James E. Talmage Mathematical Science and Computer Building is dedicated

The building was dedicated by Elder Delbert L. Stapley. It was 63,500 square feet, with 14,000 square feet dedicated to the University’s computer center. The computer mainframe itself took up 4,000 square feet.
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1974- New program for Masters in Computer Science is approved

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1975- The first College of Physical and Mathematical Science Conference for Utah high school seniors is held

424 students from all over Utah attended. As part of the conference schools could sign up to compete in a Science Bowl. Orem high school won first place with a $15 prize for each individual student on the team and $150 prize for the school to purchase science teaching materials.
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1976- Math Lab is created

The Math Lab was originally created to help students prepare for college entrance exams. It was originally held in the Harold B. Lee Library.
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1976- BYU geologist finds that Utah Lake was never clear

Dr. Willis H. Brimhall published his research that showed significant evidence that Utah Lake was never a clear lake.
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1977- The first International Symposium on Macrocyclic Chemistry is held at BYU

Founded by BYU professors Reed M. Izatt and James J. Christensen, this symposium has developed into one of the most successful small global conferences and continues to be held annually at various global sites.
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1977- A fossilized palm frond is donated to the BYU Geology department

The beautifully preserved fossil is believed to be 40-60 million years old. It was uncovered near Kemmerer, Wyoming and donated to BYU Geology by the Mountain Fuel Supply Company.
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1977- BYU Mathematics introduces curriculum for graduate degrees

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1979- BYU team places 11th at the Putnam Mathematics Competition

The William Lowell Putnam Mathematics Competition is a prestigious math problem-solving contest. In addition to the team placing in the top 50, two BYU students secured places in the top 100 individual competitors.
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1980- BYU Computer Science introduces PASCAL into their programming courses

PASCAL was taught in addition to COBOL and FORTRAN.
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1981- BYU geologist serves on Nasa mission panel for Voyager 2

Dr. Kenneth Hamblin served on the Voyager 2 mission panel and was assigned to examine the pictures of Saturn's rings taken by Voyager.
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1983- Math professors get personal computers

When IBM created the first personal computers, the math department decided they needed to move in that direction. A group of 18 professors agreed to teach additional courses for a year so the department could afford the purchases.
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1984- BYU-led team of researchers excavates an Egyptian cemetery

The burial site was discovered about 90 miles from Cairo.
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1984- Utah dinosaurs travel to Japan

The travelling collection was made up of fossils from Brigham Young University, the Utah Museum of Natural History, and the antiquities section of the Utah Division of State History.
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1984- BYU geologists find extinct mammal species in Utah

The geologists found the upper jaw of a mammal species and identified it to be haplolampia simpsoni. The mammal had never before been seen in Utah.
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Years of Growth

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1987- BYU geologists find largest fossil vertebrae

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1988- Graphing calculators are available for purchase

The Hewlett-Packard HP28S graphing calculator was the first to be on the market and was released in 1988. This was quickly followed by Texas Instruments' own version of graphing calculator.
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1988- IBC Advanced Technologies founded by BYU professors

The company was founded as a spin-off company from the research of Dr. Reed M. Izatt and Dr. Jerald S. Bradshaw of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Dr. James J. Christensen of the Department of Chemical Engineering. The company uses crown ethers to clean up nuclear waste and separate valuable metal ions from waste streams.
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1990- The Talmage Building is remodeled

The remodel included the addition of a new wing. The rededication took place on September 27, 1990 and was conducted by Henry B. Eyring.
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1991- BYU begins Goldhelox project in collaboration with NASA

BYU physics undergraduate students receive an $87,700 grant from NASA to complete their “Goldhelox” project, a telescope attached to a NASA shuttle that will measure the soft X-rays emitted from the sun.
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1991- Dr. Dan Simmons discovers the COX-2 enzyme

This discovery was used to develop the revolutionary arthritis medication Celebrex. A lawsuit later resulted between BYU/Simmons and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals on the grounds that Pfizer had stolen Simmons IP to develop the drug. The lawsuit was 6 years long and finally settled in 2012.
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1993- BYU Mathematics congratulates its first PhD graduates

Jian-Ping Xun and Eric Swenson were the first two graduates to receive a PhD in Mathematics from the BYU Department of Mathematics. Eric Swenson has since returned to BYU as a math professor.
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1995- BYU astronomers discover a Space Geyser

The Space Geyser was found near the center of a bright galaxy by BYU professor J. Ward Moody and his team. It was published as the first space "geyser" recorded in the universe.
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1995- CS chairman develops Intelligent Scissors

CS Department chairman Bill Barrett and his students developed the Intelligent Scissors, which was a photo editing tool used to cut out shapes from parent images. The tool was later adopted into Adobe Photoshop Magnetic Lasso.
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1995- Chemistry department renamed

The name was officially changed from the Chemistry Department to its current name Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
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1995- Ezra Taft Benson Building is dedicated

The Benson building is home to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. It was dedicated on October 20th, 1995 by President Gordon B. Hinckley. The dedication ceremony was held in the study room located at the front of the building. The room has been nicknamed the "Fishbowl" because of its conservatory style windows that look out onto the BYU campus.
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1997- Simmons Center for Cancer Research is organized

The research center was created in partnership between the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and the Department of Biology and Agriculture. The center strives to provide needed experience and training to students who will become the next generation of cancer clinicians and researchers.
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1998- Dr. Morris Robins is awarded the Prix Galien of Canada

The Prix Galien award is the most prestigious award in the field of pharmaceutical research and innovation. Dr. Morris Robins, professor of chemistry, received this award for his contributions to better understand and treat the hepatitis B virus.
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1999- BYU receives supercomputer from Ira A. Fulton

Computer animation began to gain popularity and BYU wanted to give their computer science students who were interested in animation the experience needed to be successful in animation careers. Animation takes very powerful computers to generate, so Ira A. Fulton generously donated the money BYU needed in order to purchase their first supercomputer for animation. BYU has since gained a name for excellence in the college animation community.
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CPMS in a New Century

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2000- BYU contributes to NASA's IMAGE satellite research

The imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) Satellite was built by NASA and launched March 25th. BYU undergraduate students were invited into a collaboration with NASA to develop special mirrors to be attached to the IMAGE Satellite. The mission led to getting the first images of the Earth’s magnetosphere
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2001- BYU Department of Mathematics Education is formed

Gerald M. Armstrong became the department's first chairman.
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2001- BYU Physics & Astronomy is second largest program in the nation

The program was given this name by the American Institute of Physics.
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2002- Nobel laureate William Phillips speaks at BYU

At the campus devotional held on January 22, 2002, William Phillips, winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in physics, shared his thoughts about how science and faith are not strangers. His talk was titled "Science, Faith, and the Nobel Prize" and can be listened to here.
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2003- BYU animation students finish their first animated short film

The animated film was called Lemmings and was invited to over 20 film festivals that year. It won a Student Academy Award and a College Television Award, setting a high standard of excellence for future films. It can be viewed here.
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2003- Reverberation chambers are built

As part of an ESC underground laboratory renovation, the Department of Physics & Astronomy built reverberation chambers. The chambers were built to help further the acoustics research here at BYU.
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2005- Planetarium rebuilt and renamed

The Summerhays Planetarium, located in the Eyring Science, was rebuilt in 2005 and renamed after Royden G. Derrick. The new planetarium also welcomed the addition of a star projector.
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2005- BYU mirrors are secured to NASA Venus Express

The Venus Express was a space exploration mission sent to gather data about Venus’s atmosphere and erosion.
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2010- BYU Center for Animation is created

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2010- BYU Geology students help discover new sauropod

The project was lead by Professor Brooks Britt, professor of geological sciences at BYU. The fossils were discovered near Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. The sauropod was named Abydosaurus.
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2011- ACME program added to Mathematics Department

The Applied Computational Mathematics Emphasis (ACME) program helps students use advanced math concepts to solve real world problems.
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2012- BYU team wins 7th in Putnam Mathematics Competition

578 universities participated in the competition. The BYU team was comprised of Peter H. Baratta, Samuel Dittmer, and Hiram B. Golze. To honor the "mathletes," BYU released this promotional video, which included a clever math rap.
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2016- Statistics professor competes at Summer Olympics

Former member of the BYU men's track and field team and current member of the BYU statistics faculty, Professor Jared Ward competed in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He placed 6th in the marathon run.
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In the 1960's

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1961- BYU gets the Y

The US Forest Service officially deeds the land with the Y on the mountain to BYU
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1961- The first PhD degrees are awarded at BYU

Two of the three awarded degrees were PhDs in Biochemistry. Awarded to Owen Ash and Waldo Zaugg
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1964- Cougar Stadium is finished and opened

Construction for the stadium began in October of 1963 and was completed a year later. The stadium allowed for a capacity of 28,000 spectators. Since the renovation in 1984 the current LaVell Edwards stadium can seat 63,470 spectators.
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In the 1970's

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1970's- BYU French Fry Protest

Students held a protest against the University Dining services because they claimed they weren't getting their money's worth of fries on campus
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1971- Dallin H. Oaks becomes President of BYU

Succeeding Ernest L. Wilkinson, Dallin H. Oaks is named 8th president of BYU.
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1971- The cornerstone for the Provo temple is layed

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1971- The Marriott Center is completed

Campus devotionals, convocation, basketball games, and other special events have been housed in the Marriott Center since it's opening. It originally seated 22,700 people.
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1971- BYU uses computer registration for the first time

The computerized system using punch cards was revolutionary to students and eliminated many long registration lines. Computer Science professor, Norman Wright, helped develop the new system.
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1972- BYU students secure the record for the longest banana split

The creation used 280 gallons of BYU Creamery ice cream and was eaten by students in 15 minutes.
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1975- Harold B. Lee Library gets electronic book detection system

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In the 1980's

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1980- Jeffery R. Holland becomes President of BYU

Succeeding Dallin H. Oaks, Holland is named the 9th president of BYU.
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1981- BYU Honor Code is amended to include denim

With the amended code both men and women are allowed to wear denim jeans on campus.
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1984- BYU Football wins the National Championship

The team was declared champions after winning against Michigan 24 - 17 in the Holiday Bowl
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1989- The BYU Jerusalem Center is dedicated

Howard W. Hunter was the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time and performed the dedication ceremony. The campus was dedicated on May 16, 1989. The ceremony was small and announced publicly a month later.
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1989- Rex E. Lee becomes President of BYU

Succeeding Jeffery R. Holland, Lee is named the 10th president of BYU.
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In the 1990's

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1993- The Museum of Art is finished

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1996- Merrill J. Bateman becomes President of BYU

Succeeding Rex E. Lee, Bateman is named the 11th President of BYU.
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1999- BYU Men's Volleyball wins their 1st NCAA Championship

Coached by Carl McGown the BYU Men's Volleyball team had a stellar year. Having the almost undefeated record of 30 wins to 1 loss the team went into the championship tournament with high hopes. The championship tournament took place in May of 1999. BYU won 3-0 against Long Beach State in the final match.
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In a new century

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2000- Cougar Stadium renamed LaVell Edwards Stadium

Known as one of the most successful college coaches of all time LaVell holds a special place in BYU history. With his retirement BYU students, faculty and staff, alumni, and fans gathered to witness the official renaming of the Cougar Stadium in his honor. The ceremony was conducted by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
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2003- Cecil O. Samuelson becomes President of BYU

Succeeding Merrill J. Bateman, Samuelson is named the 12th president of BYU.
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2008- Deseret Towers dorms are demolished

The Deseret Towers were well known among BYU students and alumni. The dorms had been an important part of many students' living experiences since they were built in 1956. They were demolished and renovated into what is now Heritage Halls.
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In the 2010's

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2011- Student built electric car break land speed record

The streamliner car was nicknamed "Electric Blue" and was the product of 7 years of work and contributions from over 130 BYU students. The car competed in a weight class labeled "E1" for cars under 1,100 pounds. It broke the record for its weight class with an average speed of 155.8 mph.
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2012- A new Life Sciences Building is announced

The building was to be built on south campus and house the College of Life Sciences. It replaced the Widtsoe building in purpose which was demolished in 2015.
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2014- Kevin J. Worthen becomes President of BYU

Succeeding Cecil O. Samuelson, Worthen is named 13th president of BYU.
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