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 84 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on administration, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between President WIlkinson and individual administrators at BYU. Also contains minutes of the President's meetings with administrators. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on administration, 1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 13 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Conatains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson, of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, policy and procedures, minutes, and newsclippings regarding administrative matters such as committees, councils, associations, faculty and staff, campus activities, university publications, university policies, academic departments, and finances. Dated 1970.

Dates: 1970

Office of the President records on administration, 1965-1971

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 14 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, minutes, agendas, correspondence, articles, and newsclippings on the administration of Brigham Young University. Includes material on topics such as the Exectutive Committee, other committees, the Board of Directors, student matters and incidents, student government, faculty management, finanaces, campus activities, and individual correspondence. Dated 1965-1971.

Dates: 1965-1971

Office of the President records on administration, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and news clippings on the administration of Brigham Young University. Includes material on Dallin H. Oaks, correspondence with individuals, and students. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972

Office of the President records on administration, 1973

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 16 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, news clippings, and other materials on the administration of Brigham Young University. Includes material on topics such as faculty, secretaries, correspondence with individuals, admissions, and the Daily Universe. Dated 1973.

Dates: 1973

Office of the President records on administration, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and other members of BYU administration as well as reports on BYU activity. Also contains sections on administrative councils and budgets for BYU departments. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966

Office of the President records on administration, 1971-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the administration of Brigham Young University under President Oaks. The materials include memos and minutes from meetings with the Board of Directors, college and department heads, and chairs. Correspondence to individuals both on an off campus are included. Dates range from 1971 to 1980.

Dates: 1971-1980

Office of the President records on associations, 1948-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and other associations, councils, societies and departments regarding meetings, conventions, funds, and newsletters. Dates of record keeping from 1948 to 1956.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1948-1956

Office of the President records on associations , 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos with members of various associations including the Associated Rocky Mountain Universities and the Utah Conference on Higher Education. Also contains minutes from the meetings of these associations. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on associations, 1968

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 11 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains lists of BYU approved organizations, reports and news clippings on BYU alumni activity, memos from President Wilkinson about Aspen Grove, and minutes and reports on the discoveries of the New Wrld Archaeological Foundation. Dated 1968.

Dates: 1968