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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 33 Collections and/or Records:

Beesley, Kenneth

 Fonds — Box 26: Series 7 [Barcode: 31197233266342], Folder: 7
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 7 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents From the Series: Contains materials related to President Oaks' ecclesiastical responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. These materials include correspondence between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presiding Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the status of the wards and stakes level of organization attached to Brigham Young University. Correspondence covers different aspects of Mormon life at Brigham Young University, with leadership...
Dates: 1971-1972
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1085, Office of the President records / Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints / Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Office of the President assistant records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 896
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and subject files from Dean A. Peterson's service as administrative assistant to the president.

Dates: 1966-1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President assistant records

Office of the President general records, 1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos on general topics such as personal correspondence of President Wilkinson and the Utah School Commission. dated 1964.

Dates: 1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on African Americans, 1955-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 51
Scope and Contents

Contians news clippings, letters and memos discussing the position of black students at BYU and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1955 to 1962.

Dates: 1955-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Arab Development Society, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, and one photo album documenting BYU and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's involvement in the Arab Development Society in Jordan. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church organizations , 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations such as missions and auxiliaries. Dated 1964-1965.

Dates: 1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1964-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations. Dated 1964 to 1965.

Dates: 1964-1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1951-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and general authorities from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics included various BYU and church issues. Dated 1951 to 1963.

Dates: 1951-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 20
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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