Chase N. Peterson

Chase Nebeker Peterson^[1] (December 27, 1929 – September 14, 2014) was the president of the University of Utah from 1983 to 1991.

Biography

Peterson was born in Logan, Utah where his father, E. G. Peterson was the president of what is now Utah State University. Peterson received both his bachelor's degree and MD from Harvard University. He then began a private medical practice in Salt Lake City but was later prevailed upon to return to Harvard to take up the post of Dean of Admissions. While dean of Admissions, Peterson chose to not go the route of quotas, instead choosing to hire an African-American to be part of the admissions staff, to use African-Americans in recruiting and in other ways try to affirm the university's support and inclusion of African-Americans without actual quotas.

Peterson married Ann Greta Ballif, who after her marriage was normally referred to as Grethe Ballif Peterson. Grethe was a graduate of Brigham Young University who did graduate studies at Radcliffe College, Southern Connecticut State College and the University of Utah.^[2]

While at Harvard, Peterson served as a bishop of the University Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He later was a vice president at Harvard, and then in 1978 became the vice president for Health Services at the University of Utah. In 1983 he became president of the University of Utah.

In 2006 Peterson received the Harvard Alumni Association medal.

Peterson died of pneumonia on September 14, 2014.^[3]

Notes

Sources

• Alan K. Parrish. "Harvard and the Gospel: An Informal History" in Regional Studies in Latter-day Saint History: New England, p. 131.
• Chase N. Peterson Presidential Records
• Biography connected with Peterson's receipt of Harvard Alumni Association medal
• http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=31564229&nid=148&title=former-u-president-chase-peterson-dies&s_cid=queue-2