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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 3 Collections and/or Records:

L. Lee Bartlett collection of Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 5601
Scope and Contents Contains the e-mails written to and the responses from the Brigham Young University President's Page. Started in 2000, the President's Page was an opportunity for students, community members, and alumni to have more direct contact with the President of Brigham Young University. The materials include e-mails from Presidents Merrill J. Bateman (President from 1996-2003) and Cecil O. Samuelson (President from 2003-). The e-mails include a wide range of subjects including thank you...
Dates: 2000-2006

Office of the President correspondence, 1974-1989

 Series
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence from the Office of the President, including both correspondence relating to the functioning of the office as well as Holland's personal correspondence. Materials date from 1980 to 1989.

Dates: 1974-1989

Office of the President correspondence, 1945-1949

 Series
Identifier: UA 1087 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence regarding everyday administrative functioning, letters of congratulations for appointment, and correspondence with various colleges of the university, 1945-1949.

Dates: 1945-1949