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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 10 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, reports, brochures and clippings on the topic of the BYU Alumni Association reviewing its financial contributions to BYU. Also contains memos to President Wilkinson about his speaking at a conference at Aspen Grove. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966

Office of the President records on civil defense, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, reports and brochures planning to create shelters to protect BYU students against fallout from atomic blasts in the event of war. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963

Office of the President records on Extension Division, 1957-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 31
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters, brochures and reports from staff in the BYU extension division. The materials pertained to publications, continuing education, and BYU leadership week. Dated 1957 to 1962.

Dates: 1957-1962

Office of the President records on Extension Division, 1958-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 36
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters, brochures and reports from staff in the BYU extension division. The materials pertain to publications, continuing education, and BYU leadership week. Dated 1958 to 1963.

Dates: 1958-1963

Office of the President records on federal aid to education, 1955-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 25
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, memorandums, and records of hearings on the subject of federal aid to higher education. Dated 1955 to 1958.

Dates: 1955-1958

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

Office of the President records on objectives, 1950-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 53
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 1949 to 1963.

Dates: 1950-1959

Office of the President records on public relations, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contians letters, memorandums, brochures, and reports about how BYU is protrayed in the media, as well as a variety of topics such as public obscenity isssues and introductions to new BYU students. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966

Office of the President records on records on travel, 1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 65
Scope and Contents

Contains travel brochures, letters and memorandums dated 1956. The letters and memorandums concern organizing travel plans for BYU faculty and staff as well as organizing college credits for students who participated in BYU travel programs.

Dates: 1956

Office of the President records on Summer School, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 61
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and informational and promotional brochures concerning scheduling and details for BYU Summer School. Dated 1951 to 1955.

Dates: 1951-1955