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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 2 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President general correspondence, 1921-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains the correspondence between Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris from his time as president from 1921-1945. Some correspondence contains the response from Harris. On average each year is divided into A-H, I-M, and N-Z. Among those that Harris corresponded with are President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints Heber J. Grant and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, United States Senators and Representatives, educational leaders across the...
Dates: 1921-1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1089, Office of the President records

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and other material produced by Harris during his term as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. Among his papers are financial and budget papers related to his years as president, materials related to Brigham Young University facilities maintenance and construction, and materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II.

Dates: 1921-1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records

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