Todd A. Britsch was raised as a BYU kid through and through. Born in Provo in 1937, Todd remembers walking through the campus as a child, seeing the newly constructed buildings, cheering at football games with his family, and rolling Easter eggs down the Maeser lawn. BYU was where Todd grew up, met his wife, made a career, and influenced thousands of people through his personal and professional commitment to service, discipline, and doing what’s right.
BYU was such an integral part of Todd A. Britsch’s childhood that it seems fitting that he returned to it again and again. After graduating from Brigham Young High and leaving to serve a mission in Germany and Switzerland, Todd graduated from BYU in 1962 with a degree in political science. It was during his years as an undergraduate that Todd met his future wife, Dorothy Crofts. The two were introduced through Todd’s sisters. They were married in the Bern Switzerland Temple and had two children.
After completing his undergraduate work, Todd furthered his study at Florida State University, receiving a doctorate degree in general humanities. In 1966 he returned once again to BYU, this time as a professor of humanities. His decision to teach was inspired by his love for Bach’s music. He would go on to serve as the dean of the College of Humanities and as academic vice president of the university. The Britsch family name became well known throughout campus: Todd’s father was already a member of the faculty when Todd was hired, and Todd’s brother soon joined as well. They enjoyed working at the same school, and they also enjoyed singing together. Todd’s father was a member and director of BYU’s faculty quartet, and whenever one of the quartet’s official members could not participate in a performance, the Britsch brothers were called to fill in.
As the author of two books and numerous articles, Todd has been honored with the BYUSA Master Teacher Award, Professor of the Month Award, and the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Teaching Award. He was also a fellow of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies with a research focus in religious writing and art in 18th-century Europe. Today, the BYU College of Humanities gives the Todd A. Britsch Professorship—an award given on a five-year basis to a faculty member who has exemplified what Todd called “university thinking.”
Todd has also served in the Church as a bishop, high councilor, high priest group leader, and MTC branch president. He has said that some of the greatest lessons he has learned in his work are that most people want to do what is right, and that the key to success is showing up. Despite his many accomplishments outside of classroom instruction, Todd always describes himself first and foremost as a teacher. He has instructed generations of students, leaving a legacy of learning behind him.
