Brigham Young University Church of Jesus Christ Faith

Cosmo honors President Oaks after he and other BYU presidents receive prestigious award

‘It’s a distinguished group and a good cause,’ says church leader

Published: April 14, 2026, 10:52 p.m. MDT

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Cosmo the Cougar congratulates President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after the Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event where President Oaks was honored at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Tad Walsh, Deseret News

By Tad Walch

Tad Walch covers religion with a focus on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BYU’s still standing better than it ever did, after all these 150 years.

President Dallin H. Oaks and other BYU presidents received the Pillar of the Valley Award on Tuesday night from the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“I feel honored to be in a lineup with the people that we honored today,” President Oaks told the Deseret News. “It’s a distinguished group and a good cause.”

President Oaks and BYU’s four other living presidents accepted the award at a dinner event for over 700 people in the ballroom at the Utah Valley Convention Center in downtown Provo.

Former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert presented the award to “the presidential seat of Brigham Young University,” and speakers recognized the influence of the school’s presidents on the region and in the lives of hundreds of thousands of students.

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Cosmo the Cougar, BYU’s mascot, paid homage to President Oaks after he and the newly crowned national champion Cougarettes cheer squad closed the night with a performance.

President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Kristen M. Oaks look at his award during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former Brigham Young University presidents were honored during the event, including President Oaks. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

President Oaks dressed up as Cosmo while serving as BYU’s president in 1979. On Tuesday night, the current Cosmo put his hands on the shoulders of President Oaks, bowed his head in respect and then mimed taking off his head and putting it on President Oaks.

Chamber president Curtis Blair said all of the university’s presidents have helped shaped Utah Valley while standing as role models for students.

“Each president dating back to 1875 has left an indelible impression on the culture, the economy and the growth and prosperity of Utah County,” he said.

Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” performed by the school’s Young Ambassadors student song-and-dance troupe, kicked off the evening following a 150-second countdown video that included 30 seconds of the Carillon Tower bells playing “Come, Come Ye Saints” followed by the Cougar fight song.

Former BYU presidents or those representing them appear on stage during a ceremony to honor their contributions, during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. The BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (not pictured). | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

The chamber specifically honored BYU’s past seven presidents, listed by the years they served:

President Oaks (1971-80), who as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since October now serves as chairman of BYU’s board of trustees.
President Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-89), the late president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Rex Lee (1989-95), the late former Solicitor General of the United States and founding dean of the BYU law school.
Elder Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), emeritus General Authority Seventy.
Elder Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), emeritus General Authority Seventy.
Elder Kevin J Worthen (2014-2023), former Area Seventy.
Shane Reese (2023-present).

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President Reese spoke on behalf of the presidents and noted that President Oaks established BYU’s law school, which made the top 25 this week in the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

President Oaks recruited Lee to be the law school’s founding dean. He also recruited Bateman to be the dean of BYU’s Marriott School of Business.

Reese said President Oaks holds the distinction of being the president most intertwined with Utah Valley.

“To my knowledge,” Reese said, “(President Oaks) is the only BYU president to spend his formative years living in Provo, serve as the student body president of (the now defunct) Brigham Young High School, graduate from Brigham Young University, and then return to serve not only as BYU president, but now as the chair of BYU board of trustees.”

Current president of Brigham Young University, Shane Reese speaks during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Dave McCann speaks during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints applauds along with others during a standing ovation to honor former presidents of Brigham Young University and their wives during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

An image of President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears on the screen during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Oaks. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Current president of Brigham Young University, Shane Reese, right center, talks with Elder Matthew S. Holland, right, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including Holland’s father, Jeffrey R. Holland, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

An image of Jeffrey R Holland of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appears on the screen during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including Holland and the church’s president, Dallin H. Oaks. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands for the Pledge of Allegiance during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Keith Vorkink speaks during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

The BYU Young Ambassadors perform during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. Seven former BYU presidents were honored during the event, including President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

Alyssa Morrison greets President Dallin H. Oaks of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during Utah Valley Chamber’s Pillar of the Valley event at the Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, Ut., April 14, 2026. | Brian Nicholson, for the Deseret

The event included a longer video that shared the accomplishments and character of the most recent seven presidents.

The video and speakers highlighted BYU’s abiding commitment to teaching secular knowledge alongside faith and to its motto, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.”

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, past Young Women general president of the Church of Jesus Christ, thanked God for the difference the presidents have made “in each of our lives and in the lives of our children and our children’s children and generations to come.”

Past recipients of the Pillar of the Valley Award

2011: Blake M. Roney.

2012: Alan and Karen Ashton.

2013: Stephen R. Covey (posthumously).

2014: Ray Noorda (posthumously).

2014: President Dallin H. Oaks.

2015: Hal Wing (posthumously).

2015: Wilford Clyde.

2016: Rebecca D. Lockhart (posthumously).

2016: Woodbury family.

2017: Gov. Gary Herbert.

2018: Bill Hulterstorm.

2018: JoAnn B. Losee.

2019: Ray and Janette Beckham.

2019: John Valentine.

2021: Alan and Suzanne Osmond.

2022: Steve Densley (posthumously).

2022: Carine Clark.

2023: Gail Halvorsen (posthumously).

Comments

2023: Dr. Richard P. Nielsen.

2024: Gail Miller.

2025: Elder Matthew S. Holland and Sister Paige Bateman Holland.

2025: Nathan Ricks.

Facts about the first 13 BYU presidents and principals

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