Dates
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 26 Collections and/or Records:
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 4
Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence with various associations relating to the functioning of the university, including the Council on Education, Alumni Association, Deseret News, American Red Cross, Intermountain Health Care, Key Bank of Utah, and American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges & Universities. Correspondence covers fundraising, alumni awards, and various conference proceedings. Also contains invitations to Holland from associations to become a member of various boards and...
Dates:
1980-1989
Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 12
Scope and Contents
Contains materials that cover topics that do not fit into other categories. The majority of these topics include general announcements and events that President Oaks felt needed his personal note. These include notices of births, deaths, and illnesses among faculty and students. Other materials include "thank you" cards and invitations to various events not associated with the Brigham Young University or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dates range from 1971 to 1980.
Dates:
1971-1980
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 25
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including staff, faculty, students, finance, and higher education in Utah and the United States. Dates of record keeping from 1949 to 1956.
Dates:
1951-1956
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 31
Scope and Contents
Contains invitations inviting President Wilkinson to various events, as well as his memos and letters accepting or rejecting the invitations. Dated 1957 to 1958.
Dates:
1957-1958
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 22
Scope and Contents
Contains letters and memos inviting President Wilkinson to attend or speak at various events. Dated 1959.
Dates:
1959
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 4 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains material related to associations and organizations that had dealings with President Oaks. Organizations include on campus student body organizations, performing art groups and presentations, and alumni groups and publications like BYU Today. Other groups that have extensive correspondence include American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Correspondence to other...
Dates:
1971-1972
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 4 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains material related to associations and organizations that had dealings with President Oaks. Organizations include on campus student body organizations, performing art groups and presentations, and alumni groups and publications like BYU Today. Other groups that have extensive correspondence include American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Correspondence to other...
Dates:
1973-1974
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 4 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains material related to associations and organizations that had dealings with President Oaks. Organizations include on campus student body organizations, performing art groups and presentations, and alumni groups and publications like BYU Today. Other groups that have extensive correspondence include American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Correspondence to other...
Dates:
1974-1975
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 4 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains material related to associations and organizations that had dealings with President Oaks. Organizations include on campus student body organizations, performing art groups and presentations, and alumni groups and publications like BYU Today. Other groups that have extensive correspondence include American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Correspondence to other...
Dates:
1975-1976
Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 4 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
Contains material related to associations and organizations that had dealings with President Oaks. Organizations include on campus student body organizations, performing art groups and presentations, and alumni groups and publications like BYU Today. Other groups that have extensive correspondence include American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities (AAPICU) and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU). Correspondence to other...
Dates:
1976-1977
