Cecil O. Samuelson’s biography

Image of Cecil O. Samuelson by Eustress

“If any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”
John 12:26

One man who has dedicated his life to serving God is Cecil Osborn Samuelson, Jr..  Cecil Samuelson was born on August 1, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Throughout Cecil’s life, he’s served others in a variety of ways- at the University of Utah, Brigham Young University and Intermountain Health Care.  Despite his ambitious career, Cecil found time to also serve faithfully in the LDS Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

Here’s a brief look at Cecil O. Samuelson’s life.  

Cecil O. Samuelson’s biography

Cecil O. Samuelson’s family life

• Cecil O. Samuelson married Sharon Giaque (now Sharon Samuelson) on November 25, 1964 in the Salt Lake Temple.
• Speaking of his wife, Samuelson said, “My wife is my best and most honest critic. She has always embraced any call that has come our way. Her support of me is absolute.”
• The Samuelsons have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Cecil O. Samuelson’s education

• Cecil Samuelson received a bachelor’s of science.
• Cecil received his master’s degree in educational psychology.
• He received his M.D. from the University of Utah.
• Cecil completed his residency at Duke’s medical center in Durham, North Carolina.
• Cecil authored or co-authored at least 48 academic publications.
• Dr. Samuelson contributed to writing at least eight books.

Cecil O. Samuelson’s career

• When reflecting about his career in health, Cecil Samuelson said, “Medicine is fundamentally a mission of service, and service is what Jesus wants us all to be doing. I’m more and more convinced that everything good we do in life is somehow connected to the gospel.”
• Dr. Samuelson was a professor of medicine at the University of Utah.
• Dr. Samuelson eventually was promoted as the dean of University of Utah’s School of Medicine.
• After his work at the University of Utah, Cecil Samuelson served as the senior vice president of Intermountain Health Care.

President Samuelson’s service at BYU

• Cecil O. Samuelson seceded Merrill J. Bateman on May 1, 2003, as BYU’s 12th president.
• Since he began his service at BYU, President Samuelson has encouraged BYU’s faculty to have high expectations for BYU students.
• During his service as BYU, President Samuelson initiated huge improvements in student housing and campus facilities.

Cecil O. Samuelson’s pastimes

• President Samuelson loves to read.
• He loves learning about history and current events.
• President Samuelson enjoys boating on Lake Powell with his family.
• In his free time, President Samuelson enjoys playing tennis and going on quiet walks.

Cecil O. Samuelson’s LDS church service

• As a young man, President Samuelson served a two-year mission in Scotland for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• President Samuelson served in a variety of callings, including: regional representative, stake president, stake high councilor, high priests group leader, branch president and area president (in Utah and Europe).
• President Samuelson was called to serve in the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1994.  When first assigned to BYU, he was in the Presidency of the Seventy.
• Elder Samuelson served as the Sunday School general president.
• Elder Samuelson received his Emeritus General Authority status in October 2011.

“As we strive to better understand how Jesus sees us and contemplate our own attempts to live as the Redeemer would have us live, let us remember his instructing observations and their universal applications in literally all that we do: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) and “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40).”

- Cecil O. Samuelson

Personal Notes: In 2007 my mother and I were invited to the awards night for BYU’s University Accessibility Center in the Wilkinson Ballroom.  As we looked for a place to sit, we discovered a name card with our names on it.  A few moments later we walked around the table and saw who we’d be eating with- President and Sister Samuelson!  It was exciting, but also a little daunting.  I remember talking and listening to President Samuelson speak.  He talked about his recent international trips and asked us about our lives.  i could tell President Samuelson was very intelligent.  I remember him roaming around the ballroom greeting as many guests as possible.  I was very impressed by President Samuelson’s sincerity and kindness.  It seemed to me, that President Samuelson would frequently pause to seek and receive inspiration from the Spirit.  Thanks for your example President Samuelson!  It’s wonderful to meet those who seek to serve God in their daily lives.