New Exhibit Tells George W. Romney's Story

PROVO, Utah – Dec 08, 2014 – This year the Marriott School's Romney Institute of Public Management, which grants the Master's of Public Administration (MPA) degree, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new exhibit on its namesake George W. Romney and an acquisition of Romney's personal photos and documents for the Harold B. Lee Library's Special Collections. 

More than 40 boxes of historical documents, including photos that haven't been in the public domain, were donated by Romney's children, Lynn Romney Keenan and Scott Romney, earlier this year. The collection, now housed in Special Collections, will help faculty and students learn more about Romney, both professionally and personally. 

MPA program coordinator Heather Chewning said one of her favorite pieces is a letter written by Romney to his wife. 

"It highlighted his personality," Chewning said. "He was very humble."

Other gems include photos of Romney with Walt Disney and correspondences with Church and political leaders. 

A few items from the collection are on public display outside of the Romney Institute offices on the seventh floor of the Tanner Building. The display features highlights of Romney's life with pictures and objects important to him. 

The display was designed by MPA student Kip Smith and constructed by MPA students. 

"He was a great role model, he exemplifies the program," said Jeffery Thompson, director of the Romney Institute of Public Management. "We hope his legacy will help students envision where the MPA program can take them." 

The Romney Institute of Public Management, part of the Marriott School’s Master of Public Administration program, was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. A part of the Brigham Young University’s Marriott School, the Romney Institute offers a master’s degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and not-for-profit institutions. Brigham Young University is the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States.