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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 325 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President job applications, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 49
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to President Wilkinson from prospective employees enquiring about job openings. Also contains memos from President Wilkinson about the applicants. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 38
Scope and Contents

Unusual letters and memorandums addressed to Wilkinson, and copies of Wilkinson's replies. Dated 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 58
Scope and Contents

Contains a variety of letters and memos addresssed to faculty at BYU, especially several from a bookstore in Stuttgart, Geramany. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President non compos mentis records, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 39
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos explaining false doctrine and critisizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President planning records on the J. Reuben Clark Law School, 1971-1972

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 2 Sub-Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, recommendations, and other material related to planning for the Clark Law School. Materials date from between 1971 and 1972.

Dates: 1971-1972

Office of the President recommendations, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents

Contians letters, memos, reports and lists about recommendations for students and staff. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records, 1949-1956

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including staff, faculty, students, finance, and higher education in Utah and the United States. Dates of record keeping from 1949 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1956

Office of the President records, 1949-1965

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8
Scope and Contents

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 1949 to 1965.

Dates: 1949-1965

Office of the President records, 1965-1967

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9
Scope and Contents

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 1967.

Dates: 1965-1967

Office of the President records, 1959-1966

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7
Scope and Contents

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 1959 to 1966.

Dates: 1959-1966