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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 24 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President inter-office memos, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains a list of BYU administrative staff as well as a collection of memorandums from President Wilkinson on a variety of BYU policies and individual circumstances. Includes a variety of topics from vacations to news articles. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President recommendations, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents

Contians letters, memos, reports and lists about recommendations for students and staff. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on academic aids, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, and reports about physical aids to education at BYU such as the library, computer center, the Russell collection, and more. Also contains lists of materials. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on administrative studies, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and committees seeking funding. Also contains lists of accrediting associations. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos about the BYU Alumni Association as well as lists and articles about alumni and alumni descendents. Also contains memos and financial records about use of Aspen Grove. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on associations, 1968

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

Contains lists of BYU approved organizations, reports and news clippings on BYU alumni activity, memos from President Wilkinson about Aspen Grove, and minutes and reports on the discoveries of the New Wrld Archaeological Foundation. Dated 1968.

Dates: 1968

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains lists of Protestant and Catholic churches. Also contains letters about Catholic Priests who converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on charts, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains an index of charts kept in the basement of the Maeser building as well as memos between President Wilkinson and other BYU faculty discussing these charts. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and local and general authority Church leaders concerning seminaries, institutes, student wards, events, etc. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1946-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, memos, reports, and various publications related to the administration of departments and colleges on campus. Materials dated 1946 to 1958.

Dates: 1946-1958