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 87 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on public relations, 1969

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 12 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

Contains the presidential papers of Ernest L. Wilkinson span the years 1949 to 1975. They cover his pre-appointment period to the presidency, his presidential administration and his post-presidential activities. The collection documents University activities, programs, policies and procedures, and public relations with other universities, national, state and local organizations. It contains correspondence, memos, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials.

Dates: 1969

Office of the President records on public relations, 1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 13 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Conatains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson, of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, articles, policy and procedures, and newsclippings regarding public relations at Brigham Young University. Includes material on topics such as campus unrest, individual correspondence, other colleges and universities, Stanford University, meetings, and the Western Altheletic Conference. Dated 1970.

Dates: 1970

Office of the President records on public relations, 1963-1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 14 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

Contains the presidential papers of Ernest L. Wilkinson span the years 1949 to 1975. They cover his pre-appointment period to the presidency, his presidential administration and his post-presidential activities. The collection documents University activities, programs, policies and procedures, and public relations with other universities, national, state and local organizations. It contains correspondence, memos, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials.

Dates: 1963-1972

Office of the President records on research, 1971

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 14 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and news clippings on research at Brigham Young University. Includes new articles and other material on the topic of institutional research. Dated 1971.

Dates: 1971

Office of the President records on secretaries, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos to secretaries at Brigham Young University. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972

Office of the President records on the Church Educational System, 1972-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 8
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to the relationship of Brigham Young University within the Church Educational System (CES). Materials cover topics including the Church College of Hawaii (now Brigham Young University-Hawaii), directions from Church leaders, such as Neal A. Maxwell, and reports about the conditions of the schools and programs under the CES. Correspondence, memos, and reports make up the bulk of the materials. Correspondence between the presidents of the CES schools, directors, and...
Dates: 1972-1980

Office of the President records on universities, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, printed materials, and news clippings on various other universities. Includes material on universities such as Rockford College, the University of Utah, and Weber State University. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972

Office of the President records on university development, 1968

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 11 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and other materials regarding agencies and donors that made financial contributions to BYU as well as various student scholarships. Much of the correspondence is between President Wilkinson, donors, and heads of agencies organizing donations. Dated 1968.

Dates: 1968

Office of the President records on university development, 1964-1971

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

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, minutes, correspondence, and news clippings on the development of Brigham Young University. Includes material on development programs, fundraising, foundations, other financial matters, and correspondence with individuals. Dated 1971.

Dates: 1964-1971

Office of the President records on university relations, 1968

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 11 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and members of various national, regional and state-wide academic councils and assemblies. Also includes reports of the associations' activity, as well as correspondence with leaders of other universities. Dated 1968.

Dates: 1968