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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 431 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on university relations, 1971-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains materials associated with the aspect of university relations. Materials cover topics such as recruiting, publicity, and visits to the Brigham Young University campus. General public relations are also discussed through newspaper articles and interviews with President Oaks. The correspondence with off-campus performances by the performing arts and their international tours are also included. Dates range from 1971 to 1980.

Dates: 1971-1980

Office of the President records on university standards, 1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of a 1950 tentative statement of purpose for BYU as well as copies of letters and memorandums concerning standards of behavior at BYU. Materials dated 1958.

Dates: 1958

Office of the President records on Vontella Kimball, 1956-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Contains speeches by the businesswoman Vontella Kimball given at BYU. Also contains articles on and by Kimball, as well as copies of Westate News, a publication by the Western States Mission. Dated 1956 to 1962.

Dates: 1956-1962

Office of the President records on White House conferences, 1952-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 67
Scope and Contents

Contains reports on the White House Conference on Education as well as legislative bills concerning federal aid to education. Also contains booklets of reports on education and statements on the philosophy of education. Most materials come from Washington D.C., although some concern Utah specifically. Dated 1952 to 1956.

Dates: 1952-1956

Office of the President records on William P. Knecht, 1961-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 46
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and William Knecht, an alumnus of BYU and MIT, discussing ideas for the Church School System. Dated 1961 to 1962.

Dates: 1961-1962

Office of the President report

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231011047]
Identifier: UA 323
Scope and Contents

Includes the president's report of the faculty, students, curricula, facilities, and finances for 1903-1904.

Dates: 1903-1904

Office of the President reports

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 726
Scope and Contents

Includes information on enrollment, academic courses and curriculum, finances, buildings, and real estate. Includes reports from Presidents Cluff, Brimhall, Harris, Nuttall (Acting), Jensen (Acting), and McDonald.

Dates: 1892-1949

Office of the President reports

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1348
Scope and Contents

Contains annual reports and self-studies collected or produced by the Office of the President. Materials date from between 1950 and 1983.

Dates: 1950-1983

Office of the President scrapbook on Cecil O. Samuelson

 Collection — Carton 1: [Barcode: 31197235226161]
Identifier: UA 5702
Scope and Contents

Contains materials relating to Cecil O. Samuelson's years as president of Brigham Young University. Collection contains newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, letters, photos, and DVDs, as well as the printed scrapbook made from these materials. Dated 1994-2014.

Dates: 1994-2014

Office of the President scrapbooks

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2215
Scope and Contents

Looseleaf binders containing newspaper articles, magazine articles, and photographs (some photocopied), reflecting his presidency at Brigham Young University. Compiled by Oaks's secretary, Janet Calder.

Dates: 1971-1980