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 54 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on scheduling, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 57
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums and letters scheduling the use of campus buildings for university events as well as non-university events such as receptions, dated between 1951 to 1956.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on scholarships, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 58
Scope and Contents

Contains lists of scholarship recipients as well as reports on processes for receiving scholarships. Also contains memorandums and letters concerning scholarships. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on sex education, 1953-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 52
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, memorandums and proposed curriculum for sex education in schools. Also contains a survey regarding sexual practices of men and women inside and outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1953-1955.

Dates: 1953-1955

Office of the President records on Student Personnel Services, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 60
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memorandums describing a variety of special student cricumstances. The materials describe crimes by students, transfer student situations and G.I. bills for Korean veterans. Dated 1951 to 1955.

Dates: 1951-1955

Office of the President records on students, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 56
Scope and Contents

Contains memorandums, correspondence, reports and other publications, dated between 1951 and 1956. The materials regard personal problems of individual students such as mission deferments, mortality and counseling. Also contains recruitment materials for high schools and colleges.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on Summer School, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 61
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums and informational and promotional brochures concerning scheduling and details for BYU Summer School. Dated 1951 to 1955.

Dates: 1951-1955

Office of the President records on television and radio, 1951-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents

Consists of reports, correspondence and memos concerning the television industry. Mainly dealing with the Utah Educational Television Foundation and studies on the effects of televison on education.

Dates: 1951-1956

Office of the President records on travel, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 76
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos discussing BYU faculty and students' study abroad finances. Also contains a lengthy travel reimbursement report. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on travel, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 61
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters describing and arranging proposed travels by BYU faculty and students. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on travel, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 33
Scope and Contents

Contains travel schedules of BYU faculty and staff as well as memos and letters coordinating these travel plans. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959