Jake Retzlaff Departs BYU: What Led to the Departure?

## Overview Brigham Young University (BYU), located in Provo, Utah, is one of the largest private universities in the United States, with an enrollment of over 35,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries[1][3]. Founded in 1875 by Brigham Young, a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), BYU remains a church-sponsored institution, emphasizing a unique blend of rigorous academics, faith, and character development[1][6]. Its mission is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life, aiming to provide an education that is spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, and character building[2]. ## What BYU Does BYU offers a comprehensive range of academic programs: 198 undergraduate majors, 113 minors, 96 master’s, and 30 doctoral programs, including highly ranked offerings in business, law, and accounting[1][3]. The university is organized into 11 colleges and schools, such as the Marriott School of Business and the J. Reuben Clark Law School, both of which are consistently ranked among the top 30 in the nation[1][3]. BYU is also a Carnegie R1 research institution, providing undergraduates with significant research opportunities—a rarity among primarily undergraduate-focused universities[3]. The university is renowned for its affordability, especially for LDS students, and its emphasis on experiential learning, including over 200 study abroad programs in 60 countries and robust internship offerings[1][4]. BYU’s campus culture is distinctive: it fosters a safe, collaborative, and values-driven environment, with social life centered on campus events and clubs rather than traditional college partying[5]. ## History and Key Achievements Since its founding, BYU has grown from a small religious academy to a major national university. It was formally organized under the Church Educational System in the early 20th century and has been governed by

The **University of Utah** is a prestigious public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, established in 1850 as the University of Deseret, making it the oldest state university west of the Missouri River. It was renamed the University of Utah in 1894 and moved to its current campus in 1900, serving as Utah's flagship institution of higher education[2][3]. With a fall 2023 enrollment of over 35,000 students, it is the second-largest public university in Utah, offering degrees in 64 undergraduate and 90 graduate-level subjects across diverse disciplines[2][3]. The university is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, ranking 47th nationally in research and development funding with $670 million in 2022[2]. It holds an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" classification and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), reflecting its comprehensive research capabilities[2]. The health system affiliated with the university includes four hospitals and specialty centers such as the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Moran Eye Center, notable for pioneering medical achievements like the first artificial heart implantation and rapid genomic diagnosis for critically ill infants[1][2]. The John and Marcia Price College of Engineering, rooted in Utah's mining industry history, has been influential in technology and industry. It has produced alumni and faculty who founded or contributed to major tech companies like Adobe, Pixar, Netscape, and Novell[4]. The college currently supports over 5,000 undergraduates and 1,350 graduate students, with $106 million in annual research expenditures, underscoring its role in advancing engineering and technology[4]. The university’s distinguished community includes 22 Rhodes Scholars, four Nobel laureates, three Turing Award winners, and multiple MacArthur Fellows, emphasizing its impact on academia, technology, and business globally[2]. It also operates public media outlets and cultural institutions, enriching the broade

The University of Southern California (USC) is a prestigious private research university located in Los Angeles, California, founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney. It is the oldest private research university on the West Coast and is renowned for its academic excellence and pioneering research opportunities. USC is composed of one liberal arts college and 22 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, offering over 150 majors and enrolling more than 47,000 students from all 50 U.S. states and over 115 countries[4][5]. USC has a rich history of innovation and achievement. It is a member of the Association of American Universities and has been recognized for its contributions in fields such as communication, multimedia technologies, and community outreach programs[3]. The university is particularly noted for its programs in cinema, journalism, business, engineering, and architecture, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning[5]. In recent years, USC has continued to advance in global rankings, ranking 125th globally and 29th in the U.S. in the QS 2025 World University Rankings[2]. The university is also recognized for its dynamic and culturally diverse campus environment, which fosters a strong sense of community and academic excellence[5]. USC's research initiatives span various fields, including health, technology, and civic life, with notable projects such as novel Alzheimer's drug research and brain imaging techniques[6]. Notably, USC sponsors a variety of intercollegiate sports and has a storied athletic history, with its teams winning numerous NCAA championships[4]. The university's alumni network is large and influential, providing significant career opportunities for graduates[5]. As of the 2025-2026 academic year, USC received over 83,000 applications, with an acceptance rate of about 11.2%[1]. With its strong academic programs, innovative research, and global recognition, USC remains a leading institution in higher education.