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Shelley Osterloh reporting Merrill Bateman, age 66, has served as President of Brigham Young University for seven and a half years. He will soon be replaced by Cecil O. Samuelson.
President Bateman has focused on expansion of the BYU campus and programs, innovative technology and high qaulity research.
Elder Bateman has a long history of service to his church, professional exerpertise in ecnomics, and academic leadership.
Merrill Bateman graduated from the University of Utah and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served as Dean of BYU's College of Business and the School of Management in the late 70's and headed his own consulting and capital management companies.
In March of 1995, Elder Bateman managed the church welfare system and testified before senate leaders about welfare changes.
He became president of Brigham Young University January first 1996 replacing Rex E. Lee.
Merrill J. Bateman, President of BYU: "THE SEVEN YEARS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED HAVE BEEN AMONG THE RICHEST OF OUR LIVES. WE HAVE COME TO LOVE THE FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS MORE THAN WE DREAMED POSSIBLE."
Under his direction, BYU has seen impressive growth and re-direction. BYU raises its enrollment cap from 27,000 to 29,000 and offers an open enrollment summer program.
BYU's Division of Continuing Education grows to one of the largest in the United States with nearly 450,000 enrollments. During his tenure, the president is instrumental in raising more than $750-million for the university.
BYU got a huge technological boost when an alliance of General Motors, Sun Microsystems and EDS gave the school more than $313 million worth of computer based engineering and design tools.
The Y has been ranked among the most wired colleges with 100 % of its dorms and 60 percent of classrooms internet wired.
In athletics, Elder Bateman successfully fought the NCAA decision to force religious schools to play sports on Sunday. And construction is completed on 36 new buildings on campus.
Elder Bateman encourages students to attend weekly devotionals, and believes spiritual growth is key to education.
Merrill J. Bateman, President of BYU: "TEACHING AND RESEARCH UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ENHANCES LEARNING. THIS UNIVERSITY IS RAPIDLY BECOMING ONE OF THE FINEST IN THE NATION."
Elder Bateman and his wife Marilyn have seven children and 28 grandchildren. He now will retrun to full-time service as a General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
