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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 6 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 20
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963

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 Church School System, 1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports about parts of the Church School System, including colleges, seminaries, and institutes. Dated 1964.

Dates: 1964

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1955-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports about parts of the Church School System, including colleges, seminaries, and institutes. Dated 1955 to 1963.

Dates: 1955-1963

Office of the President records on Church School System, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 7
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 1966.

Dates: 1966

Office of the President records on Institute of Freedom, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 42
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and Church general authorities. The topic was the proposed Institute of Freedom to help free workers. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962