Elder Alvin ‘Trip’ Meredith III Is Named the 18th President of BYU–Idaho

The Board of Trustees of Brigham Young University–Idaho (BYU–Idaho) has named Elder Alvin F. Meredith III (known by friends as “Trip”) as the school’s 18th president. He will succeed Henry J. Eyring, who has led the university since 2017, on August 1, 2023.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, made the announcement during a BYU–Idaho devotional in Rexburg, Idaho, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

“I rejoice that in the months and years ahead, you will be blessed by the leadership and influence of President Alvin F. Meredith and Sister Jennifer Meredith,” Elder Christofferson said to thousands of students assembled in the BYU–Idaho Center for the weekly Tuesday devotional.

Elder Christofferson praised President and Sister Eyring for their service.

“Together, President and Sister Eyring have inspired, taught and provided an exemplary model for BYU–Idaho and this entire community,” the Apostle said. “President Eyring has lifted those around him with his leadership, deep commitment to students and ongoing efforts to preserve and strengthen the culture and spirit of this great university.”

During his presidency, President Eyring magnified the student experience with innovations in curriculum and strengthened partnerships with BYU–Pathway Worldwide and Ensign College. He played a direct role in hiring BYU–Idaho’s faculty, interviewing every candidate (more than 500 total) for hire over his six-year tenure as president. He also led the university during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is noteworthy that he did all of this by involving others, a hallmark of President Eyring’s inclusive pattern of leadership,” Elder Christofferson said.

In his 17-year tenure at BYU-Idaho, President Eyring previously served as the academic vice president and advancement vice president at the university. In addition to his university service, he has also been serving as an Area Seventy since 2019.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I express deep gratitude and love to President Henry J. and Sister Kelly Eyring for their exceptional service,” Elder Christofferson said.

President Eyring has been asked to return to BYU’s Marriott School of Business in Provo, where he previously served as director of the Master of Business Administration program. He will assist with the development of leadership curriculum and teach both graduate and undergraduate students.

“Sister Eyring and I are so grateful for the honor and blessing it has been to serve at this university, and we are thankful for the students, faculty and staff who mean so much to us,” President Eyring said. “We know that Elder and Sister Meredith are prepared to lead this university. They will be led on a steady, upward course. And the employees and students will be lifted. As a result, this great institution will get better still.”

Elder Meredith, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, became a General Authority Seventy on April 3, 2021. Elder Christofferson noted the new president’s “extensive experience working with young adults,” including his time as president of the Church’s Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. He has also served on the Church Education System faculty interview committee.

Prior to full-time Church service, Elder Meredith worked as a Six Sigma Black Belt for GE Capital, a consultant for Boston Consulting Group and a senior vice president for Asurion. He received degrees from BYU (a bachelor’s degree in psychology) and the University of Chicago (an MBA). His work and Church service took him and his family of six children all over the world. In the United States, Elder Meredith had Church assignments in Utah, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama and North Carolina. In Asia he served in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, China, Thailand and India.

“Everyone at BYU–Idaho has been blessed beyond measure to be at this exceptional university under the leadership of President and Sister Eyring,” Elder Meredith said. “I am inspired by the administration and faculty’s commitment to remain student-focused and singular in the emphasis on teaching, and I look forward to learning from these disciple leaders.”