The Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University–Idaho (BYU–Idaho) has appointed Elder Alvin “Trip” F. Meredith III as the university’s 18th president. Elder Meredith will succeed Henry J. Eyring, who has served as president for the past six years.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, made the announcement during a BYU–Idaho devotional in Rexburg, Idaho.
“I rejoice that in the months and years ahead, BYU–Idaho will be blessed by the leadership and influence of President Alvin F. Meredith and Sister Jennifer Meredith,” said Elder Christofferson.
Elder Christofferson also commended President and Sister Eyring for their outstanding service: “President and Sister Eyring have inspired, taught, and provided an exemplary model for BYU–Idaho and this entire community. President Eyring has lifted those around him with his leadership, deep commitment to students, and ongoing efforts to preserve and strengthen the culture and spirit of this great university.”
During his presidency, President Eyring magnified the student experience with innovations in curriculum and strengthened partnerships with BYU–Pathway Worldwide and Ensign College. President Eyring played a direct role in hiring BYU–Idaho’s faculty, interviewing every candidate for hire over his six-year tenure as president. In his seventeen-year tenure at BYU-Idaho, President Eyring also previously served as the Academic Vice President and Advancement Vice President at the university. In addition to his university service, he has also been serving as an Area Seventy since 2019. President Eyring will return to Brigham Young University’s (BYU) Marriott School of Business, where he previously served as Director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. He has been asked to assist with the development of leadership curriculum and to teach both graduate and undergraduate students.
President Eyring said, “Sister Eyring and I are so grateful for the honor and blessing it has been to serve at this university, and we are thankful for the students, faculty, and staff who mean so much to us. We know that Elder and Sister Meredith are prepared to lead this university. They will be led on a steady, upward course. And the employees and students will be lifted. As a result, this great institution will get better still.”
Elder Alvin “Trip” F. Meredith III was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2021. At the time of his call, he was serving as president of the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. He is currently serving in the presidency of the Church’s Middle East/Africa North Area and as a member of the Church Educational System Interview Committee. He will continue to serve as a General Authority Seventy.
While Elder Meredith grew up in a small town in Tennessee, he has lived around the world, including in Hong Kong and Singapore, where he served as a senior executive of a global technology firm. Elder Meredith holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from BYU and an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Elder Meredith has extensive experience working with young adults, highlighted by his service as a mission president. He is an effective teacher and leader of organizations. More information about Elder Meredith can be found at Alvin F. Meredith III (churchofjesuschrist.org).
Elder Meredith and his wife, Jennifer, are the parents of six children.
Elder Meredith said, “Everyone at BYU–Idaho has been blessed beyond measure to be at this exceptional university under the leadership of President and Sister Eyring. I am inspired by the administration and faculty’s commitment to remain student-focused and singular in the emphasis on teaching, and I look forward to learning from these disciple leaders.”
Elder Meredith will assume his new role on August 1, 2023. An inauguration will be planned and announced at a future date.