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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 12 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on federal aid to education, 1959-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 33
Scope and Contents

Contains letters between President Wilkinson and government leaders in Salt Lake City and the federal govenment on the topic of federal aid, scholarships and grants to BYU. Also contains reports with statistics and facts about financial aid to education. Dated 1959 to 1964.

Dates: 1959-1964

Office of the President records on Indian Program, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 41
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, church leaders and others on the topic of the Indian program as well as on specific members of the Ute tribe attending church schools. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on legal matters, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 53
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos discussing legal issues such as taxes and relations with other universities. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on public relations, 1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos about BYU public relations. Also contains clippings about BYU. Dated 1964.

Dates: 1964

Office of the President records on public relations, 1949-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, other BYU staff, visitors to campus, and BYU guest speakers. The topics concerned visits to campus, campus addresses, and how BYU was portrayed in the media. Also contains a collection of clippings about BYU. Dated 1949-1965.

Dates: 1949-1965

Office of the President records on public relations, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 63
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and community leaders, BYU staff and others on the topic of BYU's public relations. Also contains reports and letters about prospective students and community outreach. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on public relations, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 47
Scope and Contents

Materials on public relations, including letters, memorandums, reports, brochures regarding publications, press, radio and TV, fundraising, research, alumni, and councils, all relating to the university's image and relationships with others. Dated 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on public relations, 1952-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 59
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and community leaders, BYU staff and others on the topic of BYU's public relations. Also contains reports and letters about prospective students and community outreach. Dated 1952 to 1963.

Dates: 1952-1963

Office of the President records on public relations, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums from BYU faculty and staff about BYU's public relations and portrayal in the media. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on public relations, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contians letters, memorandums, brochures, and reports about how BYU is protrayed in the media, as well as a variety of topics such as public obscenity isssues and introductions to new BYU students. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966