Clothed with charisma and a passion for education, sound morals and true religion, George H. Brimhall took upon himself the mantle of university president in the fledging years of Brigham Young University.

His commitment to higher education characterized his entire life's paths. As a young boy, Brimhall worked odd jobs to pay for his board at the high school in Provo.

His parents were staunch supporters of his commitment to education. During difficult times when his work did not pay the bills, his parents sacrificed their own comforts for their son's schooling.

Later, Brimhall helped the funding of other local learning institutions.

"Then, 42 of us young fellows decided it would be a good idea to have a high school in Spanish Fork, and we contributed $15 each in work," Brimhall said.

Chronic chest and abdominal pain were no deterrent for Brimhall during his zealous 17 years as Brigham Young University president from 1904 to 1932.

His leadership had a profound influence on the transition from Brigham Young Academy to Brigham Young University, which legalities officially transpired in 1903. The active role he played brought about the introduction of the bachelor of science degree in 1904 and the bachelor of arts degree in 1907.

Brimhall was the first president to attend the four-year university graduation services for a class of just 18 students.

For those who attended BYU during Brimhall's period in office, very few will forget the mental images embossed by Brimhall's fervent four-minute devotional addresses that always referenced his deeply held morals.

"No man has so inspired me with so few spoken words as has President Brimhall in his famous four-minute assembly talks," said former LDS President Ezra Taft Benson.

A man not known to mince words, Brimhall's devotional addresses were not only short, but were often quite direct and poignant.

In one such incident, characterized after a breakout of student theft, Brimhall's words brought many students to their sorrowful knees. In a university talk, he spoke especially harshly against a watch that had been stolen from a student's locker.

"With dramatic pauses, Brimhall said that if the culprit had 'even so much as a trace of conscience and character every tick of that watch would say to him, 'thief. Thief, thief; thief, thief; thief, thief,'" as quoted on the President's page of Route Y.

The following day, Brimhall received several unnamed watches on his desk.

His greatest commitment was always to that God who gave man opportunity for education during mortality. His leadership of BYU was governed by this sincere loyalty.

"The school depends not on man, or any set of men. God planted it and we are but gardeners to take care of it," Brimhall said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 16 Apr 2003