University of Utah Graduate School records, 1946-1983

Advance degrees have been awarded at the University of Utah since 1894, but it was not until 1917 that all graduate instruction was organized under the auspices of the Graduate Division. By 1946, the growth of graduate instruction at the University necessitated further reorganization and the Board of Regents approved the establishment of a Graduate School to ensure that high scholastic standards were maintained by all graduate programs on campus. Henry Eyring was appointed as the first Dean of the Graduate School in 1946 and served until 1966. Sterling McMurrin was appointed to the office of Dean in 1966 and administered over the Graduate School until his retirement in 1978. The Graduate School oversees requirements for advanced degrees, sets deadlines for final oral examinations and theses, and approves the records of candidates for advanced degrees. The Dean works in conjunction with the Graduate Council to decide policy for the Graduate School, suggests improvements in its programs, and maintains a system of constant department self-evaluation.