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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 2 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President correspondence with other universities, 1983-1989

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 15
Scope and Contents Contains correspondence with other universities in the church education system including Ricks and BYU-Hawaii, as well as the Polynesian Cultural Center. Also contains correspondence with other universities, namely Utah Technical College, University of Utah, University of Frontier, and Harvard University. Contains studies of purpose and function, building maintenance, faculty records, and professional development efforts. Also contains committee meeting reports and reviews from the Board of...
Dates: 1983-1989
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1030, Office of the President records

Office of the President records on university development, 1972-1986

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with various estates, foundations, and funds regarding university contributions, fund appropriation, and university development. Also contains reports on development, records regarding various awards and gifts, and thank you letters for donors. Materials date from 1972-1986.

Dates: 1972-1986
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1030, Office of the President records

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