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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 11 Collections and/or Records:

L. Lee Bartlett collection of Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5601
Scope and Contents Contains the e-mails written to and the responses from the Brigham Young University President's Page. Started in 2000, the President's Page was an opportunity for students, community members, and alumni to have more direct contact with the President of Brigham Young University. The materials include e-mails from Presidents Merrill J. Bateman (President from 1996-2003) and Cecil O. Samuelson (President from 2003-). The e-mails include a wide range of subjects including thank you...
Dates: 2000-2006
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / L. Lee Bartlett collection of Office of the President records

Office of the President correspondence, 1974-1989

 Series
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence from the Office of the President, including both correspondence relating to the functioning of the office as well as Holland's personal correspondence. Materials date from 1980 to 1989.

Dates: 1974-1989
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1030, Office of the President records

Office of the President records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 5514
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with university vice presidents and deans of colleges, 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, admissions and records, athletics, the honor and dress codes, and other related issues. It also includes travel files for the Office of the President, and minutes of the Board of Trustees. Materials date from between 2003 and 2010.

Dates: 2003-2010
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President 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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on civil defense, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums concerning the civil defense programs in Utah and at Ricks College, dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958
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 commencement, 1954-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains programs, speeches, reports, and correspondence pertaining to BYU commencement. The materials concerned undergraduate and graduate students, valedictorian speeches, and honorary degrees. Dated 1954 to 1959.

Dates: 1954-1959
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 contributions, 1953-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and reports from various donors and foundations regarding scholarship donations. Dated 1953 to 1960.

Dates: 1953-1960
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 dedicatory services, 1954-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains memos planning dedication of campus buildings as well as brochures and reports telling the history of campus buildings. Dated 1954 to 1957.

Dates: 1954-1957
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 department chairmen, 1954-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and letters from President Wilkinson appointing faculty members to the position of department chairmen, as well as discussing campus issues. Dated 1954 to 1958.

Dates: 1954-1958
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 finances, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, correspondence and reports on BYU finances and audits. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
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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