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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 1064 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on visitors, 1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 81
Scope and Contents

Contains news clippings and memos to and from President Wilkinson about visitors to BYU. Dated 1962.

Dates: 1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Vontella Kimball, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 50
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos from President Wilkinson about articles. Also contains articles and clippings about Vontella Kimball. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Vontella Kimball, 1956-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Contains speeches by the businesswoman Vontella Kimball given at BYU. Also contains articles on and by Kimball, as well as copies of Westate News, a publication by the Western States Mission. Dated 1956 to 1962.

Dates: 1956-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on White House conferences, 1952-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 67
Scope and Contents

Contains reports on the White House Conference on Education as well as legislative bills concerning federal aid to education. Also contains booklets of reports on education and statements on the philosophy of education. Most materials come from Washington D.C., although some concern Utah specifically. Dated 1952 to 1956.

Dates: 1952-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on William P. Knecht, 1961-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 46
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and William Knecht, an alumnus of BYU and MIT, discussing ideas for the Church School System. Dated 1961 to 1962.

Dates: 1961-1962
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on William P. Knecht, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 51
Scope and Contents

Contains various memos and letters, many of them between President Wilkinson and William P. Knecht. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on World War II, 1943-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 3
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II, through correspondence and reports from Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris. The reports include office candidate school and technical programs run on campus to prepare students to serve in the military and reference letters to military branches written by Harris recommending students to officer training programs. Also included are reports outlining the effects of the mobilization for the war on...
Dates: 1943-1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1089, Office of the President records

Office of the President records on World's Fair, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 80
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to President Wilkinson discussing accommodations for the 1964 Worlds Fair. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on World's Fair, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 41
Scope and Contents

Contains printed materials about the Hall of Free Enterprise at the Worlds Fair, including memos, reports and brochures. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Y Day, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters and minutes of the "Y" Day Committee discussing service opportunities and sponsors for BYU. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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