Skip to main content

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 7 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Admission and Records, 1959-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports on from BYU administration on admissions, grading, registration and scholarships at BYU. Dated 1964.

Dates: 1959-1964

Office of the President records on Admission and records, 1957-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports on from BYU administration on admissions, grading, registration and scholarships at BYU. Dated 1957 to 1963.

Dates: 1957-1963

Office of the President records on Admissions and Records, 1952-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums, letters, and reports on the topic of admissions and records. Admission topics include accreditation, scholarships and academic standards, and admission of individual students. Dates of record keeping 1952 to 1958.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1952-1958

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

Office of the President records on politics, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between president Wilkinson and U.S. politicians discussing political topics. Topics included Senate bill 250, H.R. 7125, and scholarships. Also includes articles and reports on politics. Materials dated 1957-1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on scholarships, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 58
Scope and Contents

Contains lists of scholarship recipients as well as reports on processes for receiving scholarships. Also contains memorandums and letters concerning scholarships. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on university development, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and other materials regarding agencies and donors that made financial contributions to BYU as well as various student scholarships. Much of the correspondence is between President Wilkinson, donors, and heads of agencies organizing donations. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966