By Ivy Sellers
BYU''s new President comes straight from the University of Utah, but President Hinckley assured the BYU student body in a devotional Tuesday that Elder Cecil O. Samuelson would be wearing cougar royal blue from here on out.
Elder Samuelson, currently a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, appears more than qualified to fill his new position, after having served in various positions of prestige in both the secular and spiritual worlds.
Receiving his bachelor''s, master''s, and a medical degree from the University of Utah, Elder went on to serve as professor of medicine and dean of the School of Medicine at the university.
He was later appointed as the vice president for health sciences for the same university before beginning work as the senior vice president of Intermountain Health Care.
Elder Samuelson has received numerous scholastic honors for his work and service in the medicinal field.
While held in great esteem by his colleagues in the field of medicine, Elder Samuelson has also been actively involved in service for the Church.
He served as a missionary and branch president, stake high councilor, stake president and regional representative before being called to serve as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy on Oct. 1, 1994.
Elder Samuelson is currently serving as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
Elder Samuelson has also given service as a director, officer, and member of several national medical and hospital organizations - including the American Red Cross and the Primary Children''s Medical Center Foundation.
Elder Samuelson is married to Sharon Giauque. Together they have five children and three grandchildren.
Elder Samuelson will officially take office as the President of Brigham Young University May 1, 2003.