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 482 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President general records, 1973

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 16 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos and correspondence on the general records of Brigham Young University. Includes material such as correspondence with individuals, personal memos to self, and congradulatory correspondence. Dated 1973.

Dates: 1973
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Memos and letters to and from President Wilkinson discussing miscellaneous personal and professional matters such as condolences, congratulations, pollitics, and inviations to speaking engagements. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President inter-office memos, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains a list of BYU administrative staff as well as a collection of memorandums from President Wilkinson on a variety of BYU policies and individual circumstances. Includes a variety of topics from vacations to news articles. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President invitations, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 48
Scope and Contents

Contians letters and memos from members of the community inviting President Wilkinson to various events. Also contains his responses either accepting or rejecting invitations. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President invitations, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 31
Scope and Contents

Contains invitations inviting President Wilkinson to various events, as well as his memos and letters accepting or rejecting the invitations. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President invitations, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 22
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos inviting President Wilkinson to attend or speak at various events. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President 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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President memorandum

 File — Volume 1: [Barcode: 31197233275764]
Identifier: UA 283
Scope and Contents

This collection includes an edited, typewritten memorandum containing information concerning returned and newly appointed Brigham Young University faculty.

Dates: 1954 September 15
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President memorandum

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.