George S. Romney

The George S. Romney Building, located on the BYU–Idaho campus.

George Samuel Romney (1874-December 19, 1935) was the president of Bannock Stake Academy, now Brigham Young University–Idaho, at the end of the First World War. He was a key figure in helping it to survive the postwar depression. Before its latest rename it was known as Ricks College.

Romney was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born in St. George, Utah.^[1] When he was young his family moved to the Mormon colonies in Mexico so that his father could continue practicing plural marriage, which was illegal in the United States.

After marrying and having several children, Romney returned to the United States at the start of the Mexican Revolution, specifically to flee the disruptive activities of Pancho Villa.

By 1917 Romney was a faculty member at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. In the summer of that year Romney was appointed principal of Bannock Stake Academy to replace Andrew B. Christensen. In 1918, the school was granted state certification. It was then renamed Ricks Normal College. By the time students returned for Fall Semester they not only had a new name, but they were now led by a president.^[2]^[3]

Under Romney's leadership the school instituted standards of dress and conduct that all students agreed to follow in 1922.

In 1923, the name of the school was changed again to Ricks College, but Romney continued to lead it in its broadened mission. In 1930 Romney was replaced by Hyrum Manwaring.

After his service as president of Ricks College, Romney served as president of the Northern States Mission of LDS Church. He died while serving in this position and was replaced by Bryant S. Hinckley.

Romney's eldest son Marion G. Romney became an apostle and a member of the First Presidency of the LDS Church. Romney daughter, Catherine Romney Cheney, later became a cloistered nun in the Roman Catholic church. (Salt Lake Tribune, 9-19-09, p. C2) Romney was an uncle of Michigan governor George W. Romney.

Notes

^ Howard, F. Burton. Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988) p. 10
^ Public Relations Office – BYU–Idaho
^ Public Relations Office – BYU–Idaho

Academic offices
Preceded by Andrew B. Christensen	President of Ricks College 1917 – 1931	Succeeded by Hyrum Manwaring

[1] Howard, F. Burton. Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith. (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988) p. 10

[2] Public Relations Office – BYU–Idaho

[3] Public Relations Office – BYU–Idaho

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See also

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