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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 308 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on commencement, 1950-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains addresses, correspondence and programs relating to Brigham Young University commencement exercises and honorary degrees in Provo. Materials dated 1950 to 1957.

Dates: 1950-1957

Office of the President records on commencement, 1954-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains programs, speeches, reports, and correspondence pertaining to BYU commencement. The materials concerned undergraduate and graduate students, valedictorian speeches, and honorary degrees. Dated 1954 to 1959.

Dates: 1954-1959

Office of the President records on commencement, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters and other materials relating to BYU commencement. The materials organized the ceremony, speakers, and gave graduation statistics. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on commencement, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos with President Wilkinson planning the proceedings and speakers of the BYU commencement. Also contains letters planning to whom honorary BYU degrees will be given. The sub-series also has copies of the addresses given at commencement exercises. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on committees, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains membership lists, annual reports and correspondence between 1951 to 1956 from various committees at Brigham Young University.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on committees, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains a list of all committees on BYU campus as well as their activity status. Also contains letters and memos about committees. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on Communism, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters from President Wilkinson and other BYU staff about Communism, specifically "The Naked Communist." Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on Communism, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 23
Scope and Contents

Contains articles warning againsat the threat of communism as well as memos and letters between BYU faculty discussing measures against communism in the community. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on complaints and complements, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memos, majority from or to Ernest L. Wilkinson, university leaders, church leaders, city/local officials, and others, dated from 1951 to 1956. Letters discuss invitations to events, appreciation for actions taken, as well as suggestions and complaints. These opinions are in regards to the university, students, events, etc.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on Continuing Education, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports about off-campus and continuing education opportunities through BYU including satellites campuses, education weeks, and study abroad programs. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967