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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 complaints and complements, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memos, majority from or to Ernest L. Wilkinson, university leaders, church leaders, city/local officials, and others, dated from 1951 to 1956. Letters discuss invitations to events, appreciation for actions taken, as well as suggestions and complaints. These opinions are in regards to the university, students, events, etc.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on Continuing Education, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports about off-campus and continuing education opportunities through BYU including satellites campuses, education weeks, and study abroad programs. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967

Office of the President records on contributions, 1950-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence regarding contributions and donations to the university from 1950 to 1956. Some letters are requests for donations, expressing thanks for the donations contributed, and regarding scholarships. Included are some newspaper clippings about large contributions given.

Dates: 1950-1956

Office of the President records on contributions, 1953-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and reports from various donors and foundations regarding scholarship donations. Dated 1953 to 1960.

Dates: 1953-1960

Office of the President records on department chairmen, 1954-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 19
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and letters from President Wilkinson appointing faculty members to the position of department chairmen, as well as discussing campus issues. Dated 1954 to 1958.

Dates: 1954-1958

Office of the President records on eminent domain, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters and proposals regarding the right of eminent domain to private institutions of higher learning in the state of Utah. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on enrollment, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and statistical charts and reports about the enrollment of students at BYU. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963

Office of the President records on Extension Division, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, BYU staff and general authorities about the Church Extension Division, including BYU satellite programs, Education Week, study abroad programs, and at-home continuing education programs. Also contains curriculum for these programs. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President records on Extension Division, 1963-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos with President Wilkinson about the BYU extension division. Topics include continuing education, various BYU satellite campuses and education weeks at BYU. Dated 1963 to 1964.

Dates: 1963-1964

Office of the President records on Extension Division, 1958-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 36
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters, brochures and reports from staff in the BYU extension division. The materials pertain to publications, continuing education, and BYU leadership week. Dated 1958 to 1963.

Dates: 1958-1963