Replaces James D. Gordon III, who is retiring after 35 years of service to the university
President Kevin J Worthen, following approval from the BYU Board of Trustees, has appointed Rosemary Thackeray as assistant to the president for planning and assessment at Brigham Young University. Thackeray will replace James D. Gordon III, who after 35 years of service to the university will be retiring.
Thackeray’s appointment is effective July 8, 2019. She currently is an associate dean in the BYU College of Life Sciences, where she is a professor in the department of public health.
Before coming to BYU in 2000, Thackeray was employed for nine years at the Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Health Education. Her experience included program development and management, as well as research and evaluation.
“Not only is Rosemary an expert analyst in her public health research, but she also brings extensive practical experience from her years with the department of public health to this position,” Worthen said. “She is well prepared to lead the assessment and planning efforts of the university."
An exemplary university citizen, Gordon has led BYU through visits from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, one of seven regional organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions. He is the Marion B. and Rulon A. Earl Professor of Law at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU, where he served as an associate dean and an interim dean. Additionally, he served as an associate academic vice president for faculty at BYU.
“Jim has provided remarkable leadership both to the law school and to the university,” said Worthen. “His incredible intellect and his keen sense of humor have enabled him to deal with some of the most difficult issues at the university. They have also enlivened and energized his teaching, research, and service at the university. It has been a joy to work with him.”
Thackeray, who has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in evaluation and research methods, has been a strong advocate for assessment and planning within the university. She has helped her students understand why data is critical in advancing any institution’s mission and objective.
The recipient of BYU’s Young Scholar Award, her research has focused on health promotion. Most recently, her research has been related to public perceptions about maternal mental health.
While on a sabbatical in 2006-2007, Thackeray worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Marketing, in Atlanta, GA. She earned her doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of Utah and her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University.
