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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 19 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on motion pictures, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 55
Scope and Contents

Contians letters, memos and articles about productions of the BYU film studio including The Search For Truth. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

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 public relations, 1968

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 11 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others about BYU's public image and relationship wit other universities. Also contains articles and news clippings about BYU and other universities. Dated 1968.

Dates: 1968

Office of the President records on United Nations, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 79
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty about the United Nations. Also contains clippings and articles about the United Nations. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on universities, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 80
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and representatives of other universities. Also contains articles about other universities, especially the University of Utah. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on University Press, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 18
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 1965 to 1968.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on university relations, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 19
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 1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President records on Vontella Kimball, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 50
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos from President Wilkinson about articles. Also contains articles and clippings about Vontella Kimball. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

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