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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 26 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations such as missions and auxiliaries. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1944-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and reports pertaining to Ricks College, LDS Business College, Juarez Academy and the Brigham Young University schools in the Pacific. Materials discuss finances, enrollment, and the unification of the church school systems. Dated 1944 to 1958.

Dates: 1944-1958

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, Church general authorities, and BYU faculty on the topics of Church schools, proposed Church schools, and curriculum within these schools. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

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

Office of the President records on enrollment, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and statistical charts and reports about the enrollment of students at BYU. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963

Office of the President records on enrollment, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 22
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 1937 to 1960.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President records on federal aid to education, 1961-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 2 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

This subseries largely consists of letters and memos between university officials and with government officials. They discuss the government, governmental finances, and include quotes/exerpts from speeches. Dated 1961 to 1962.

Dates: 1961-1962

Office of the President records on Indian program, 1967

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

Cotains letters and memos about students in BYU's Indian Program, scholarships, and education. Also contians a program for A Dawn in the Forest. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1966-1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others discussing the physical plant of BYU. Topics include roads, safety, traffic, and more. Includes reports on the construction of new facilities as well as the upkeep of old ones. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1966-1967

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