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 29 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on recommendations, 1955-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 50
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos to and from President Wilkinson. They are letters of recommendations for BYU students as well as proposals recommending the use of funds for special projects. Dated 1955 to 1960.

Dates: 1955-1960

Office of the President records on retirement, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 51
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums from BYU staff members discussing the BYU retirement plan. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on Salt Lake Theatre, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 52
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memorandums inquiring about the state of the BYU and University of Utah theater facilities. Also contains photocopies of clippings and reports about theater facilities. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President records on scheduling, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 53
Scope and Contents

Contains minutes of meetings and memorandums concerning the scheduling of BYU faculty meetings and BYU classes. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President records on schools of Pacific, 1951-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 40
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos rearding teachers, students, and expenses of the Church schools in Hawaii, as well as organizing trips of President Wilkinson to the Pacific. Dated 1951 to 1958.

Dates: 1951-1958

Office of the President records on students, 1953-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 59
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos to and from President Wilkinson, addressing student life, events and services available at BYU. Dated 1953 to 1959.

Dates: 1953-1959

Office of the President records on television and radio, 1956-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 49
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos to and from president Wilkinson discussing which programs to broadcast on the BYU news and TV networks. Dated 1956 to 1958.

Dates: 1956-1958

Office of the President records on Y Day, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters and minutes of the "Y" Day Committee discussing service opportunities and sponsors for BYU. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President speeches, 1953-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 58
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters regarding speeches given by President Wilkinson and others on BYU campus. Dated 1953 to 1958.

Dates: 1953-1958