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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 5 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1963-1965

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

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, Church general authorities, and BYU faculty on the topics of Church schools, proposed Church schools, and curriculum within these schools. Dated 1963-1965.

Dates: 1963-1965

Office of the President records on curriculum, 1950-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, reports, proposals and lists written by and for members of Brigham Young University faculty and administration between 1950 to 1956. The papers concern changes to curriculum, enrollment of graduate students, teacher loads and general academic statisitics.

Dates: 1950-1956

Office of the President records on curriculum, 1954-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 17
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 1937 to 1960.

Dates: 1954-1958

Office of the President records on Extension Division, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, BYU staff and general authorities about the Church Extension Division, including BYU satellite programs, Education Week, study abroad programs, and at-home continuing education programs. Also contains curriculum for these programs. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965

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