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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 38 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on finances, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 39
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, reports and memos about BYU finances. Topics include investments, staff salaries, and other expenses. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963

Office of the President records on Indian program, 1967

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

Cotains letters and memos about students in BYU's Indian Program, scholarships, and education. Also contians a program for A Dawn in the Forest. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on inquiries, 1952-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains letters regarding inquiries to the Office of the President. Dated 1952 to 1956.

Dates: 1952-1956

Office of the President records on investments, 1954-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and reports concerning tuition, the BYU investment committee, and the use of funds. Dated 1954 to 1958.

Dates: 1954-1958

Office of the President records on Iran, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between General Authorities, government officials, and BYU from 1951 to 1955. The correspondence pertains to BYU's involvement in the United States' Four Point program in Iran.

Dates: 1951-1955

Office of the President records on J. Bracken Lee, 1953-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 30
Scope and Contents

Contains news clippings, letters, memorandums and reports from 1953 to 1956 concerning Utah Governor Joseph Bracken Lee.

Dates: 1953-1956

Office of the President records on Karl G. Maeser, 1952-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Correspondence about a book written by Alma P. Burton about Karl G. Maeser. Also included are lists describing some of the work done by Maeser. The letters discuss the distribution of the books as well as the editing. Dated 1952 to 1955.

Dates: 1952-1955

Office of the President records on Physical Plant, 1966-1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others discussing the physical plant of BYU. Topics include roads, safety, traffic, and more. Includes reports on the construction of new facilities as well as the upkeep of old ones. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1966-1967

Office of the President records on public relations, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports on BYU's public relations and portrayal in the media. Also contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and leadrship at other schools discussing comapring these universities to BYU. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on Roy G. Fugal, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 42
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and Roy G. Fugal about finances. Also contains a transcription of a phone conversation between Josseph Bertotti and President Wilkinson. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963