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 47 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on appreciation, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains letters of appreciation to President Wilkinson from members of the community for various services. 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 records on Arab Development Society, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Arab Development Society discussing daily operations and special circumstances of the program. Also contains reports about operations of the program. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963
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 records on Aspen Grove, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to and from President Wilkinson concerning the maintenance of Aspen Grove, especially hiring someone to take care of the property year-round. 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 records on assemblies, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including the Church School System, federal aid, finance, enrollment statistics, and general correspondence between administration. Dates of record keeping from 1956 to 1965.

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 records on associations, 1961-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others on the subject of various academic associations to which BYU belongs. Also contains reports, conference materials and news from these associations. Dated 1961 to 1964.

Dates: 1961-1964
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 records on Auxiliary Services, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and correspondence with President Wilkinson concerning daily operations of BYU campus auxiliary services such as food, housing, the bookstore, and more. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958
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 records on Auxiliary Services, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and correspondence with President Wilkinson concerning daily operations of BYU campus auxiliary services such as food, housing, the bookstore, and more. 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 records on Board of Trustees, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes from the meetings of the BYU board of trustees. Also contains memos and letters with President Wilkinson organizing these meetings. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962
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 records on books, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others discussing books and recommended reading. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962
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 records on books, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports between President Wilkinson and others on various books. 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.