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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 334 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on state institutions, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 69
Scope and Contents

Contains clippings as well as letters and reports from a special committee on school finances to the Board of Governors in Salt Lake City about university funds. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on state institutions, 1961-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 70
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters, reports and news clippings about the need for school facilities. Dated 1961 to 1962.

Dates: 1961-1962

Office of the President records on statistics, 1952-1954

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 54
Scope and Contents

Contains reports and statistics on higher education, Utah schools, and marriage, dated between 1952 to 1954.

Dates: 1952-1954

Office of the President records on steel plant at Geneva, 1950-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 55
Scope and Contents

Contains petitions, reports and correspondence regarding the Geneva Steel Company, dated 1950 to 1955.

Dates: 1950-1955

Office of the President records on students, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 72
Scope and Contents

Contains reports, letters and memos. The topics included student life and societies, trends of student behavior, and individual student problems. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on students, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 56
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums, correspondence, reports and other publications, dated between 1951 and 1956. The materials regard personal problems of individual students such as mission deferments, mortality and counseling. Also contains recruitment materials for high schools and colleges.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on students, 1955-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 71
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports to and from President Wilkinson. Topics included individual students and their needs, student government and student health. Dated 1955 to 1963.

Dates: 1955-1963

Office of the President records on students, 1972-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the general student body at Brigham Young University during President Oaks administration. These materials cover a broad spectrum of topics such as dress and grooming standards, clubs and events, and health concerns. Much of the materials are correspondence or reports from students, the Associated Students of Brigham Young University (ASBYU), and the Dean of Student Life. Dates range from 1972 to 1980.

Dates: 1972-1980

Office of the President records on studies, 1957-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 73
Scope and Contents

Contains memos from President Wilkinson as well as statistical reports on church membership and the US Utah census. Dated 1957 to 1962.

Dates: 1957-1962

Office of the President records on Summer School, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 73
Scope and Contents

Contains faculty memos arranging BYU summer school for students as well as a report on the demographics of BYU summer school students. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963