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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 63 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on politics, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 61
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, articles and adresses. The topics include the Peace Corps as well as political issues at BYU. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

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

Office of the President speeches, 1960-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others coordinating speaking engagements for President Wilkinson. Dated 1960 to 1964.

Dates: 1960-1964

Office of the President speeches , 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and potential speakers at BYU organizing addresses. Also contains the annual reports of various BYU colleges, as well as copies of addresses given at BYU. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President speeches, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 70
Scope and Contents

Contains academic articles as well as letters and memos requesting President Wilkinson to speak at events. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President speeches, 1953-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 58
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters regarding speeches given by President Wilkinson and others on BYU campus. Dated 1953 to 1958.

Dates: 1953-1958

Office of the President speeches, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 51
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memos concerning speaking engagements of President Wilkinson and other BYU faculty as well as radio presentations between 1945 to 1956. Date of record keeping 1951 to 1955.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1951-1955

Office of the President speeches, 1996-2003

 Series
Identifier: UA 1073 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of speeches and talks given by Merrill J. and Marilyn S. Bateman. The majority of the speeches and talks were given on the Brigham Young University campus.

Dates: 1996-2003

Office of the President speeches, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 28
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of speeches given at BYU as well as memos and letters organizing these speeches. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President speeches, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 69
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos of President Wilkinson accepting and rejecting speaking engagements and distributing copies of his addresses. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962