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 116 Collections and/or Records:

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, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports on BYU's public relations and portrayal in the media. Also contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and leadrship at other schools discussing comapring these universities to BYU. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

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

Office of the President records on research, 1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others on proposed research projects, facilities, and funding. Also contains project proposals and reports. Dated 1964.

Dates: 1964

Office of the President records on research, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between BYU staff about research grants and research project plans. Also contains reports and proposals about upcoming research projects. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President records on research, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports about research projects at BYU. Discusses the topic of BYU laboritories, funding, and topics of projects. Much of the memos are between President Wilkinson and Tracy Hall. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966

Office of the President records on retirement, 1959-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including the Church School System, federal aid, finance, enrollment statistics, and general correspondence between administration. Dates of record keeping from 1949 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1960

Office of the President records on Roy G. Fugal, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 36
Scope and Contents

Contains letters between President Wilkinson and Roy G. Fugal of General Electric Co. Also contains letters, memos and reports between BYU faculty concerning donations and speaking engagements by Roy G. Fugal. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on Salt Lake Theatre, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 52
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums inquiring about the state of the BYU and University of Utah theater facilities. Also contains photocopies of clippings and reports about theater facilities. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President records on scheduling, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 57
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and letters scheduling the use of campus buildings for university events as well as non-university events such as receptions, dated between 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956