View source for Merrill J. Bateman

{{Short description|American religious leader (born 1936)}}
{{Infobox Latter Day Saint biography
| name                       = Merrill J. Bateman
| birth_name                 = Merrill Joseph Bateman
| birth_date                 = {{birth date and age|1936|06|19}}
| birth_place                = [[Lehi, Utah|Lehi]], [[Utah]], U.S.
| spouse                     = Marilyn Scholes
| children                   = 7

| position_or_quorum1        = [[Emeritus]] General Authority
| start_date1                = {{start date|2007|10|06}}

| position_or_quorum2        = [[Presidency of the Seventy]]
| start_date2                = {{start date|2003|08|15}}
| end_date2                  = {{end date|2007|08|15}}
| end_reason2                = Honorably released

| position_or_quorum3        = [[First Quorum of the Seventy]]
| start_date3                = {{start date|1995|12|27}}
| end_date3                  = {{end date|2007|10|06}}
| end_reason3                = Granted general authority [[emeritus]] status

| position_or_quorum4        = [[Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)|Presiding Bishop]]
| start_date4                = {{start date|1994|04|02}}
| end_date4                  = {{end date|1995|12|27}}
| end_reason4                = Released to become president of [[BYU]]

| position_or_quorum5        = [[Second Quorum of the Seventy]]
| start_date5                = {{start date|1992|06|06}}
| end_date5                  = {{end date|1994|04|02}}
| end_reason5                = Called as [[Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)|Presiding Bishop]]

| political_office1   = [[List of presidents of Brigham Young University|11th President]] of [[Brigham Young University]]
| term_start1         = January 1, 1996
| term_end1           = May 1, 2003
| office_predecessor1 = [[Rex E. Lee]]
| office_successor1   = [[Cecil O. Samuelson]]

}}
'''Merrill Joseph Bateman''' (born June 19, 1936) is an American religious leader who was the [[List of presidents of Brigham Young University|11th]] president of [[Brigham Young University]] (BYU) from 1996 to 2003. He is an emeritus [[general authority]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) and was the LDS Church's 12th [[Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)|presiding bishop]] in 1994 and 1995. Bateman was the [[Sunday School (LDS Church)|Sunday School]] General President of the LDS Church from 2003 to 2004, a member of the Church's [[Presidency of the Seventy]] from 2003 to 2007,<ref>''[[Church News]]'', 2007-06-09.{{full citation needed|date=August 2015}}</ref> and the [[Temple president|president]] of the [[Provo Utah Temple]] from 2007 to 2010.<ref>[https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/provo-utah-temple/presidents/ Provo Utah LDS (Mormon) Temple Presidents].</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Bateman was born in [[Lehi, Utah]]. As he was starting the third grade his family moved to [[American Fork, Utah|American Fork]].<ref name="BYUmag">{{cite journal|last1=Bell|first1=James P.|title=Merrill J. Bateman: Breadth and Depth - BYU Magazine|journal=BYU Magazine|url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/breadth-and-depth/|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> He was a [[Mormon missionary|missionary]] in England in the mid-1950s. After returning from his mission, he married Marilyn Scholes in 1959 and joined the [[ROTC]].<ref name="BYUmag"/> In 1960, Bateman completed a [[bachelor's degree]] in economics at the [[University of Utah]]. Bateman received a [[Danforth Foundation|Danforth Fellowship]] and a [[Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation|Woodrow Wilson Fellowship]], which enabled him to study at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] for his doctorate. Bateman's experience in researching Ghana's trade position led to him lecturing in economics at the [[University of Ghana]] in 1963, and while living there, he studied the cocoa industry.<ref name="BYUmag"/> Under supervision of [[Franklin M. Fisher]], Bateman graduated in 1965. His thesis was on the subject of international cocoa trade in Ghana.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bateman|first1=Merrill J.|title=Cocoa in the Ghanaian economy|url=http://library.mit.edu/item/000615988|website=library.mit.edu|publisher=MIT|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref>

== Academic background ==
Bateman was associate professor of economics at the [[United States Air Force Academy]], 1964–67; professor of economics at BYU and director of Center for Business and Economic Research, 1967–71; and dean of the BYU business school, now the [[Marriott School of Business]], 1975–79.<ref name=facts>{{cite web|title=Merrill J. Bateman: Family, Facts, and Figures|url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/merrill-j-bateman-family-facts-and-figures/|website=BYU Magazine|publisher=BYU Magazine|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> While he was dean, he instituted the BYU Management Society in 1977.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Prescott|first1=Marianne Holman|title=Elder Ronald A. Rasband: 'Share and celebrate the life of Christ'|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669205/Elder-Ronald-A-Rasband-invites-attendees-at-BYU-Management-Society-Christmas-luncheon-to-Share-and.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215153821/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865669205/Elder-Ronald-A-Rasband-invites-attendees-at-BYU-Management-Society-Christmas-luncheon-to-Share-and.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2016|access-date=15 March 2017|work=Deseret News|date=13 December 2016|language=en}}</ref>

== President of BYU ==
Bateman was inaugurated as president of BYU on April 25, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Inauguration of Merrill J. Bateman - BYU Magazine|url=https://magazine.byu.edu/article/the-inauguration-of-merrill-j-bateman/|publisher=BYU Magazine|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref> That September, an anonymous professor publicly accused Bateman (in [[Sunstone (magazine)|''Sunstone'']]) of plagiarizing ideas in his inauguration speech from an article by [[Gertrude Himmelfarb]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Anonymous|title="Clipped and Controlled": A Contemporary Look at BYU|journal=Sunstone Magazine|date=September 1996|page=70|url=https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/103-61-72.pdf|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref> Bateman acknowledged that since the citation came after a direct quote, it was ambiguous, and promised to make future citations more clear.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bateman|first1=Merrill J.|title=The Mission of Brigham Young University - BYU Speeches|url=https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/merrill-j-bateman_mission-brigham-young-university/|website=speeches.byu.edu|publisher=Brigham Young University|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Romboy|first1=Dennis|title=Y. PRESIDENT WRITES SCHOLAR, DENIES PLAGIARIZING HER WORK|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/508473/Y-PRESIDENT-WRITES-SCHOLAR-DENIES-PLAGIARIZING-HER-WORK.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331212759/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/508473/Y-PRESIDENT-WRITES-SCHOLAR-DENIES-PLAGIARIZING-HER-WORK.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2015|access-date=16 March 2017|work=DeseretNews.com|date=20 August 1996|language=en}}</ref>

Bateman organized BYU's objectives into five main objectives that centered on the university's official aims and mission statement.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Whatcott|first1=Andrea|title=Brigham Young University presidents, past and present|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/top/2334/0/Brigham-Young-University-presidents-past-and-present.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313151242/http://www.deseretnews.com/top/2334/0/Brigham-Young-University-presidents-past-and-present.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 13, 2014|access-date=15 March 2017|work=DeseretNews.com|date=12 March 2014|language=en}}</ref> He encouraged students to come to weekly Tuesday devotionals in Sunday dress to make the Marriott Center "a temple."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bateman|first1=Merrill J.|title=9/11 Reflections and Temples of Learning - BYU Speeches|url=https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/merrill-j-bateman_temple-learning/|website=speeches.byu.edu|publisher=Brigham Young University|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref>

During Bateman's administration at BYU, the university changed in a number of ways. The school's endowment was significantly increased through the ''Lighting the Way Campaign'' that [[Rex E. Lee]] started.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Jennifer|title=Lighting the Way campaign helps Y community in many ways|url=http://universe.byu.edu/1999/03/10/lighting-the-way-campaign-helps-y-community-in-many-ways/|access-date=9 March 2017|work=The Daily Universe|date=10 March 1999}}</ref> The Mentored Learning program, involving undergraduates more directly in research, was also initiated.<ref name="accomplishments">{{cite web|title=University Accomplishments During President Bateman's Tenure|url=http://president.byu.edu/sites/default/files/presidentdocuments/University_Accomplishments_Under_President_Bateman.pdf|website=president.byu.edu|publisher=Brigham Young University|access-date=9 March 2017}}</ref> About a third of the faculty were replaced due to natural turnover. The enrollment cap was raised from 27,000 to 29,000, and an open enrollment summer program was started. The Bachelors of General Studies, a degree one can earn entirely from continuing education courses, was formed.<ref name="accomplishments"/>

Sports during Bateman's time as president also underwent changes. BYU's colors and logos changed, as did the athletic director and men's basketball coach. The university started building a new baseball/softball facility and established a student athlete center. BYU left the [[Western Athletic Conference]] and joined the [[Mountain West Conference]]. Bateman focused on [[Sears Cup]] rankings of sports programs, which improved during his presidency, with eight sports in the top ten in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Call|first1=Jeff|title=Q & A: Merrill J. Bateman|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/764140/Q--A-Merrill-J-Bateman.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317143236/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/764140/Q--A-Merrill-J-Bateman.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 17, 2017|access-date=16 March 2017|work=DeseretNews.com|date=4 June 2000|language=en}}</ref>

In 2002, the Marriott School began giving the Merrill J. Bateman award to BYU students who serve and lead in their communities.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tomoser|first1=Sarah|title=BYU - Marriott School - News - Marriott School Students Select 2011 Merrill J. Bateman Award Winners|url=http://marriottschool.byu.edu/news/?article=670|access-date=16 March 2017|work=marriottschool.byu.edu|date=18 April 2011}}</ref>

== Work and family ==
Bateman was an executive with [[Mars, Incorporated]] in [[England]] and the [[United States]] from 1971 to 1975, and for a brief time in 1979 before heading his own consulting and capital management companies in [[Orem, Utah]].<ref name="BYUmag"/> Bateman's consulting involved analyzing patterns in raw food costs, foreign currency rates, and other factors for companies like [[Kraft Foods]] and [[General Foods]].<ref name="BYUmag"/>

Bateman and his wife, Marilyn, are the parents of seven children.<ref name="BYUmag"/>

== LDS Church service ==
In the early 1980s, Bateman was [[Stake president|president]] of the Provo Utah Sharon East [[Stake (Latter Day Saints)|Stake]].<ref name="BYUmag"/>

Due to his work in the cocoa business, Bateman made many trips in west Africa, including Ghana. In 1977, [[James E. Faust]], a [[general authority]] then serving as [[mission president|president]] of the church's International [[Mission (LDS Church)|Mission]], asked Bateman to contact church members and people who had asked for church material on his next visit to Ghana.  Bateman did this in early 1978.<ref>Lloyd, R. Scott, [https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/1992-07-04/a-pioneer-in-building-the-kingdom-5067 "A Pioneer in Building the Kingdom"], ''[[Church News]]'' July 4, 1992.</ref>  Later in 1978, shortly after the church changed the policy allowing black men to receive the [[Priesthood (LDS Church)|priesthood]], Bateman was sent on a special assignment to Africa by the [[First Presidency (LDS Church)|First Presidency]], along with [[Edwin Q. Cannon]], a counselor in the International Mission, to lay the groundwork for the opening of missionary work there.<ref name="BYUmag"/> They visited people who desired to join the church in both [[Ghana]] and [[Nigeria]], including [[Billy Johnson (Mormon)|Billy Johnson]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20031004010733/http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,505038994,00.html Deseret Morning News | Knight & Co. put zip in LDS hymns<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

As a general authority, Bateman was president of the church's Japan [[Area (LDS Church)|Area]] for nine months in 1993 and 1994.  In April 1994 he was called as the church's Presiding Bishop, where he served until being appointed as president of BYU at the end of 1995.<ref name="BYUmag"/>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1992/08/news-of-the-church/elder-merrill-j-bateman-of-the-seventy?lang=eng Merrill J. Bateman Latter-day Saint official profile]

{{s-start}}
{{s-aca}}
{{succession box |
 title= [[President of BYU]] |
 years= 1996&ndash;2003 |
 before=[[Rex E. Lee]] |
 after= [[Cecil O. Samuelson]] |
}}
{{s-rel|mo}}
{{succession box |
 title= [[Presiding Bishop (LDS Church)|Presiding Bishop]] |
 years= April 2, 1994 &ndash; December 27, 1995 |
 before=[[Robert D. Hales]] |
 after= [[H. David Burton]] |
}}
{{s-end}}

{{MSMdeans}}
{{Brigham Young University presidents}}
{{LDSpresidingbishopric}}
{{LDS70pres}}
{{LDSsundayschool}}
{{LDSemeritus}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bateman, Merrill J.}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Mormon missionaries]]
[[Category:American Mormon missionaries in the United States]]
[[Category:American Mormon missionaries in Ghana]]
[[Category:Mormon missionaries in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Brigham Young University faculty]]
[[Category:General presidents of the Sunday School (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Lehi, Utah]]
[[Category:Presidents of Brigham Young University]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Seventy (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:Presiding Bishops (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:Temple presidents and matrons (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:Members of the First Quorum of the Seventy (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:Members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:American general authorities (LDS Church)]]
[[Category:Latter Day Saints from Utah]]
[[Category:Business school deans]]
[[Category:American university and college faculty deans]]