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Brigham Young University. Office of the President

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1903-

Administrative History

The Office of the President (est. 1903) is the central administrative body at Brigham Young University, and is the direction of the university president.

Brigham Young University has had a president since Brigham Young Academy was changed to Brigham Young University in 1903. While the school was still called Brigham Young Academy the head officer was titled principal.

The Board of Trustees delegates to the university president the responsibility to conduct the operations of the institution and administer the policies enacted by the board. Since 1996, the president of the university has also been a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Past and present Brigham Young University presidents include George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), Cecil O. Samuelson (2003-2014), Kevin J. Worthen (2014-2023), and C. Shane Reese (2023- ).

Citation:
Office of the President essays, circa 1985-1986

Brigham Young University, L. Tom Perry Special Collections worksheet, Feb. 4, 2010 (Office of the President; administrative office associated with the president of Brigham Young University)

Brigham Young University Web site, Feb. 4, 2010 (Office of the President; President's Office)

BYU Organizational History, Brigham Young University, Feb. 19, 2013 (BYU chief executive/general manager; University President 1903; BYA to BYU; Board of Trustees delegate responsibilities to University President; 1996 General Authority; past/present presidents George H. Brimhall (1903-1921), Franklin S. Harris (1921-1945), Howard S. McDonald (1945-1949), (acting president) Christian Jensen (1949-1951), Ernest L. Wilkinson (1951-1971), Dallin H. Oaks (1971-1980), Jeffrey R. Holland (1980-1989), Rex E. Lee (1989-1995), Merrill J. Bateman (1996-2003), and Cecil O. Samuelson (2003- ))

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085
Scope and Contents Collection includes correspondence, memoranda, and reports between Dallin H. Oaks and university vice presidents, college deans, department chairmen, faculty, General Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the president of Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and others. Major subjects include university relations, university development, admissions and records, athletics, standards, housing issues involving Brigham Young University, and other related issues. Dates...
Dates: 1971-1980

Office of the President speeches, 1960-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others coordinating speaking engagements for President Wilkinson. Dated 1960 to 1964.

Dates: 1960-1964

Office of the President speeches , 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and potential speakers at BYU organizing addresses. Also contains the annual reports of various BYU colleges, as well as copies of addresses given at BYU. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President speeches, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 28
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of speeches given at BYU as well as memos and letters organizing these speeches. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President speeches, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and more materials between President Wilkinson, BYU students and BYU staff about speeches given by Presidetn Wilkinson. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966