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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 40 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President annual reports, 1951-1953

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

University reports divided by departments with departmental needs and statistics of students in specific programs. Submitted job applications also included. Dated 1951 to 1953.

Dates: 1951-1953

Office of the President invitations, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 25
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including staff, faculty, students, finance, and higher education in Utah and the United States. Dates of record keeping from 1949 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 38
Scope and Contents

Unusual letters and memorandums addressed to Wilkinson, and copies of Wilkinson's replies. Dated 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records, 1949-1956

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including staff, faculty, students, finance, and higher education in Utah and the United States. Dates of record keeping from 1949 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1956

Office of the President records on A. C. Lambert, 1959-1961

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 47
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and representatives of the California State Department of Education. Also contains a report written by Dr. A.C. Lambert of Los Angeles State College. Dated 1959 to 1961.

Dates: 1959-1961

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

Office of the President records on alcoholism, 1951-1954

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the State Board of Alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous. The State Board of Alcoholism's newsletters. Includes articles about the effects and use of alcohol. Dated 1951 to 1954.

Dates: 1951-1954

Office of the President records on appointment to president, 1949-1951

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

Correspondence to and from Ernest L. Wilkinson regarding the current state and future of Brigham Young University, and reviews and notes pertaining to the university. Dated 1949 to 1951.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1951

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

Office of the President records on articles of incorporation, 1949-1953

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the Board of Trustees regarding the articles of incorporation. A copy of the original deed for the university included. Record keeping dates from 1949 to 1953.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1953