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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 240 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on civil defense, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, reports and brochures planning to create shelters to protect BYU students against fallout from atomic blasts in the event of war. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on civil rights, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 23
Scope and Contents

Contains pamphlets, memos and brochures about the Civil Rights Act of 1963. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1946-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, memos, reports, and various publications related to the administration of departments and colleges on campus. Materials dated 1946 to 1958.

Dates: 1946-1958
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1963-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, reports and other materials regarding the operations and curriculum for various BYU colleges. These were sent between President Wilkinson and staff of various departments. Dated 1963 to 1964.

Dates: 1963-1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on colleges and departments, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 24
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, reports and other materials regarding the operations and curriculum for various BYU colleges. Also contains materials on other university departments such as athletics. These were sent between President Wilkinson and heads of various departments. Dated 1958 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on commencement, 1950-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 15
Scope and Contents

Contains addresses, correspondence and programs relating to Brigham Young University commencement exercises and honorary degrees in Provo. Materials dated 1950 to 1957.

Dates: 1950-1957
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on commencement, 1954-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains programs, speeches, reports, and correspondence pertaining to BYU commencement. The materials concerned undergraduate and graduate students, valedictorian speeches, and honorary degrees. Dated 1954 to 1959.

Dates: 1954-1959
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on committees, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains membership lists, annual reports and correspondence between 1951 to 1956 from various committees at Brigham Young University.

Dates: 1951-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on committees, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains a list of all committees on BYU campus as well as their activity status. Also contains letters and memos about committees. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President records on Communism, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters from President Wilkinson and other BYU staff about Communism, specifically "The Naked Communist." Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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