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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 26 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on universities, 1939-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 66
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums, reports and assorted other materials concerning universities. Contains materials which compare and contrast programs and enrollment of the University of Utah, Utah State Agricultural College, and BYU. Also includes reports from the Utah legislative Council which describe higher education in Utah. Dated 1939 to 1956.

Dates: 1939-1956

Office of the President records on Vontella Kimball, 1956-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Contains speeches by the businesswoman Vontella Kimball given at BYU. Also contains articles on and by Kimball, as well as copies of Westate News, a publication by the Western States Mission. Dated 1956 to 1962.

Dates: 1956-1962

Office of the President reports, 1954-1970

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 2 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains reports related to Brigham Young University, the proposed junior college system, and Ricks College. Dated 1954-1970.

Dates: 1954-1970

Office of the President reports on Ricks College, 1956-1965

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 2 Sub-Series 5 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains reports on curriculum and facilities at Ricks College. Materials date from between 1956 and 1965.

Dates: 1956-1965

Office of the President subject files, 1955-1977

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 2 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains subject files prepared by Wilkinson during his presidency at Brigham Young University. Includes information on university initiatives and programs. Dated 1955-1977.

Dates: 1955-1977

Rex E. Lee papers on Office of the President, 1910-1996

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2017 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, photographs, clippings, publications, and other material from Lee's tenure as president of Brigham Young University, dating from between 1910 and 1996.

Dates: 1910-1996