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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 338 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on administrative studies, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters between President Wilkinson and committees seeking funding. Also contains lists of accrediting associations. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on Admission and Records, 1959-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports on from BYU administration on admissions, grading, registration and scholarships at BYU. Dated 1964.

Dates: 1959-1964

Office of the President records on Admission and records, 1957-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and reports on from BYU administration on admissions, grading, registration and scholarships at BYU. Dated 1957 to 1963.

Dates: 1957-1963

Office of the President records on Admission and Records, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos about scheduling and admissions at BYU. Also contains class schedules. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on Admissions and Records, 1958-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters, and reports on the topics of student enrollment patterns, financial aid, and individual students at BYU. Dated 1958 to 1962.

Dates: 1958-1962

Office of the President records on African Americans, 1954-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 37
Scope and Contents

Correspondence and reports regarding the status of black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Includes experiences that people are reporting regarding the situations and rights of black people.

Dates: 1954-1955

Office of the President records on African Americans, 1955-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 51
Scope and Contents

Contians news clippings, letters and memos discussing the position of black students at BYU and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1955 to 1962.

Dates: 1955-1962

Office of the President records on African Americans, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 56
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, clippings and articles about the Church's stance toward African American members. One article addressed the problem this stance could cause for Governor Romney's political career. Another was written by former BYU student Jeff Nye and criticized the Church for its policies toward African Americans. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on alcoholism, 1951-1954

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the State Board of Alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous. The State Board of Alcoholism's newsletters. Includes articles about the effects and use of alcohol. Dated 1951 to 1954.

Dates: 1951-1954

Office of the President records on Alumni Association, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains memos and letters about alumni associations, alumni fundraising and donations. Also contains Brigham Young Alumnus magazine. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965