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 24 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Rhodes Scholarship Fund, 1961-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 65
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and lists about which BYU students were selected by the Rhodes Scholarship Fund. Dated 1961 to 1962.

Dates: 1961-1962

Office of the President records on scholarships, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 58
Scope and Contents

Contains lists of scholarship recipients as well as reports on processes for receiving scholarships. Also contains memorandums and letters concerning scholarships. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on Student Personnel Services, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 60
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memorandums describing a variety of special student cricumstances. The materials describe crimes by students, transfer student situations and G.I. bills for Korean veterans. Dated 1951 to 1955.

Dates: 1951-1955

Office of the President records on telephones, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 63
Scope and Contents

Contains President E.L. Wilkinson's personal call logs as well as memorandums and correspondence concerning campus phone services. Dated 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956