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 44 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1986-1987

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 10
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Contains Physical Plant records and related correspondence on campus buildings, and their maintenance, security, and space utilization. Also contains records from the campus planning committee, and records on housing and food servies. Records date from 1980-1989.

Dates: 1986-1987

Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1987-1988

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 10
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Contains Physical Plant records and related correspondence on campus buildings, and their maintenance, security, and space utilization. Also contains records from the campus planning committee, and records on housing and food servies. Records date from 1980-1989.

Dates: 1987-1988

Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1988-1989

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 10
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Contains Physical Plant records and related correspondence on campus buildings, and their maintenance, security, and space utilization. Also contains records from the campus planning committee, and records on housing and food servies. Records date from 1980-1989.

Dates: 1988-1989

Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1980-1989

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains Physical Plant records and related correspondence on campus buildings, and their maintenance, security, and space utilization. Also contains records from the campus planning committee, and records on housing and food servies. Records date from 1980-1989.

Dates: 1980-1989

Office of the President records on politics, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 24
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others on the topic of politics. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on prayer in school, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 62
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and newspaper clippings addressing the Supreme Court's ruling against prayer in public schools. 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 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 state institutions, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 69
Scope and Contents

Contains clippings as well as letters and reports from a special committee on school finances to the Board of Governors in Salt Lake City about university funds. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963