As Brigham Young University approaches its 150th anniversary, the Utah Valley Chamber is recognizing the leaders who shaped the university's legacy. The series concludes by highlighting President Dallin H. Oaks, who served as BYU’s eighth president from 1971 to 1980.
In anticipation of the April 14 Pillar of the Valley event, the Chamber has been reflecting on the defining moments and lasting impacts of various university presidents.
During his tenure, President Oaks contributed to significant institutional growth. He led the establishment of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and laid the groundwork for the Marriott School of Business.
Beyond expanding academic programs, Oaks worked to strengthen BYU's academic culture by supporting faculty and encouraging intellectual rigor. He also advocated for the advancement and inclusion of women across the campus to ensure equitable opportunities.
His professional background included earning a law degree from the University of Chicago and clerking for Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court.
President Oaks' vision for education emphasized that learning should extend beyond vocational training. In a 1974 devotional, he stated that education should improve minds, strengthen bodies, heighten cultural awareness, and increase spirituality to prepare individuals for service to the human family.
Following his time as BYU president, Oaks served as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. His religious service included being called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1984, serving in the First Presidency from 2018 to 2025, and becoming the 18th President of the Church in October 2025.
On April 14, 2026, President Oaks will be honored alongside six other BYU presidents at the Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event. This group of seven presidents represents over five decades of leadership that has shaped the history and future of Brigham Young University.
