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 131 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, articles, and news clippings on church organizations Brigham Young University. Includes material on general authorities, the Board of Trustees, and the Church school system. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1973

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 16 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes correspondence on Church organizations at Brigham Young University. Includes material such as correspondence with General authorities and with President Harold B. Lee. Dated 1973.

Dates: 1973

Office of the President records on Church organizations and administration, 1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 13 Sub-Series 3
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: 1970

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, 1969

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 12 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, Church general authorities, and BYU faculty on the topics of Church schools, curriculum and issues within these schools. Dated 1969.

Dates: 1969

Office of the President records on civil rights, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains a 1959 report investigating discrimination and relations of minorities in Utah as well as a 1963 newpaper article advocating for the Utah governor to secure equal rights for everyone regardless of race. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, programs, and brochures on colleges and departments at Brigham Young University. Includes material on various colleges such as business, fine arts, and religion. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972

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 contributions, 1950-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence regarding contributions and donations to the university from 1950 to 1956. Some letters are requests for donations, expressing thanks for the donations contributed, and regarding scholarships. Included are some newspaper clippings about large contributions given.

Dates: 1950-1956

Office of the President records on education, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 34
Scope and Contents

Contains reports of teachers' salaries as well as clippings about funds for schools. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963