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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 47 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Brigham Young High School, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains memos from President Wilkinson on Brigham Young High School's graduation. Also contains a news clipping on awards won by students. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on Brigham Young University, 1950-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos to and from President Wilkinson on various issues such as standards, women, high school, and the history of BYU. Dated 1950 to 1962.

Dates: 1950-1962

Office of the President records on charts, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains an index of charts kept in the basement of the Maeser building as well as memos between President Wilkinson and other BYU faculty discussing these charts. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on curriculum, 1960-1961

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains memos discussing BYU curriculum as well as a schedule of all available BYU courses. Dated 1960 to 1961.

Dates: 1960-1961

Office of the President records on department chairmen, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains memos between Preident Wilkinson and heads of BYU departments. Also contains a list of all BYU department chairmen. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on enrollment, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 30
Scope and Contents

Contains statistics, charts and reports on BYU enrollment, summer school enrollment, changes in enrollment over time, and projected future enrollment. Also contains statistics on students. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963

Office of the President records on federal aid to education, 1959-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 33
Scope and Contents

Contains letters between President Wilkinson and government leaders in Salt Lake City and the federal govenment on the topic of federal aid, scholarships and grants to BYU. Also contains reports with statistics and facts about financial aid to education. Dated 1959 to 1964.

Dates: 1959-1964

Office of the President records on finances, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, correspondence and reports on BYU finances and audits. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on finances, 1950-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 34
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and other BYU faculty discussing use of BYU funds. Also contains financial reports on past and future proposed budgets for BYU. Dated 1950 to 1963.

Dates: 1950-1963

Office of the President records on Freedoms Foundation, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and Freedoms Foundation. Dated 1959-1962.

Dates: 1959-1962