Skip to main content

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 speeches, 1996-2003

 Series
Identifier: UA 1073 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains copies of speeches and talks given by Merrill J. and Marilyn S. Bateman. The majority of the speeches and talks were given on the Brigham Young University campus.

Dates: 1996-2003

Office of the President speeches, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and preparatory materials on speeches given by Ernest L. Wilkinson. Includes material prepared for speeches at miscellaneous groups and conventions. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972

Office of the President speeches, 1973

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 16 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, and other materials on the speaking engagements of Ernest L. Wilkinson. Dated 1973.

Dates: 1973

Office of the President speeches and addresses, 1980-1989

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 20
Scope and Contents

Contains President Holland's speeches and campus addresses given from 1980 to 1989. Speeches were given at BYU, Ricks College, and to various organizations and conferences including Women's Conference and Leadership Workshops. Speeches cover topics ranging from educational commitment to matters of spiritual agency and faith.

Dates: 1980-1989

Office of the President speeches and resource materials, 1971-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains the transcripts and copies of speeches made by President Oaks during his time as president of Brigham Young University. The transcripts contains the dates, location, and general audience to whom the speeches were given. Resource materials that were prepared for speeches are included. Dates range from 1971 to 1980.

Dates: 1971-1980

Office of the President travel records, 1996-2007

 Series — Carton 8: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197232585239]
Identifier: UA 5514 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains the travel files of the Office of the President for Merrill J. Bateman and Cecil O. Samuelson.

Dates: 1996-2007

Performance Management, 1993-1994

 Sub-Series — Box 44: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197230206580], Folder: 14
Identifier: UA 925 Series 1 Sub-Series 5 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Contains correspondence on university outreach programs. Materials date from between 1993 and 1994.

Dates: 1993-1994

Pictorial report of the president of Brigham Young University and the administrator of other areas of the Unified Church School System to Aug. 31, 1961

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231013183]
Identifier: UA 434
Scope and Contents

A pictorial report concerning the Church School System of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Brigham Young University presidents, and Church buildings.

Dates: 1961 August 31

President's Council records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1230
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes, agendas and other materials related to the meetings of the President's Council from 1980 to 2006.

Dates: 1980-2006

Reports and statistics of Brigham Young University

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231036184]
Identifier: UA 205
Scope and Contents

Collection includes several reports from the Office of the President containing basic statistics of enrollment, finances, and procurements. Provides brief historical information regarding the University and its academic and financial achievements. These are state of the campus reports. Not all were generated from the Office of the President.

Dates: 1808-1915