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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 7 Collections and/or Records:

Board of Trustees minutes and agendas, 1996-2001

 Series
Identifier: UA 1073 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes and agendas from Board of Trustees meetings.

Dates: 1996-2001

Office of the President records on administration, 1946-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, including letters and memos, and minutes, agendas, lists and other records regarding functions of the university, campus, students, professors, and courses. Dated 1946 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1946-1956

Office of the President records on administration, 1957-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 2 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes from personal meetings between BYU Administrators and President Wilkinson. The meetings concern BYU projects, events, raises, and more. Also concerns memos, correspondence and agendas. Dated 1957 to 1962.

Dates: 1957-1962

Office of the President records on administration, 1954-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums, meeting minutes/agendas, and reports concerning students, academic performance, and the workings of the university. Dated 1954 to 1958.

Dates: 1954-1958

Office of the President records on administration, 1954-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between BYU faculty and staff, as well as the minutes and agendas of several administrative councils and committees at BYU. Dated 1954 and 1963.

Dates: 1954-1963

Office of the President records on assemblies, 1951-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Correspondence about devotionals and assemblies discussing attendance, speakers, preparations and results. Agendas and attendance reports included. Dated 1951 to 1957.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1951-1957

Office of the President records on Board of Education, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains agendas and minutes from meetings of the Church Board of Education. Also contains memos from President Wilkinson discussing the board. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962