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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 non compos mentis records, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 39
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos explaining false doctrine and critisizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 52
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos about BYU school facilities as well as non-doctrinal opinions. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963

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 Board of Education, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains agendas and minutes from meetings of the Church Board of Education. Also contains memos from President Wilkinson discussing the board. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1944-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and reports pertaining to Ricks College, LDS Business College, Juarez Academy and the Brigham Young University schools in the Pacific. Materials discuss finances, enrollment, and the unification of the church school systems. Dated 1944 to 1958.

Dates: 1944-1958

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1957-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and correspondence with President Wilkinson discussing Church institutes and seminaries, major programs and BYU and Ricks College, and various Church schools and proposed schools around the world. Dated 1957 to 1963.

Dates: 1957-1963

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1944-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports between President Wilkinson and various leaders of the Church Education System. The materials discussed various educational programs spanning from Institute and Seminary to Church-owned Univeristies such as BYU. The reports discuss students, statistics, and events of these schools. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1944-1962

Office of the President records on Church stakes, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Letters, memos and other materials on the topics of BYU student involvement in local YSA stakes, sunday school programs and temple worship. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on civil rights, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains a 1959 report investigating discrimination and relations of minorities in Utah as well as a 1963 newpaper article advocating for the Utah governor to secure equal rights for everyone regardless of race. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1958-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 20
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and other materials regarding the coordination of curriculum for various BYU colleges. These were sent between President Wilkinson and heads of various departments. Dated 1958 to 1962.

Dates: 1958-1962