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 28 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on articles of incorporation, 1949-1953

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 6
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with the Board of Trustees regarding the articles of incorporation. A copy of the original deed for the university included. Record keeping dates from 1949 to 1953.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1949-1953
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 Auxiliary Services, 1959-1962

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

Contains memorandums and correspondence with President Wilkinson concerning daily operations of BYU campus auxiliary services such as food, housing, bookstore, and more. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962
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 human interest, 1956-1960

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 39
Scope and Contents

Contains articles by BYU students telling stories from their lives. Dated 1956 to 1960.

Dates: 1956-1960
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 human interest, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 45
Scope and Contents

Contains written human interest stories about BYU students as well as memos and clippings of articles. 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 inquiries, 1952-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 26
Scope and Contents

Contains letters regarding inquiries to the Office of the President. Dated 1952 to 1956.

Dates: 1952-1956
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 Iran, 1951-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 27
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between General Authorities, government officials, and BYU from 1951 to 1955. The correspondence pertains to BYU's involvement in the United States' Four Point program in Iran.

Dates: 1951-1955
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 J. Bracken Lee, 1953-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 30
Scope and Contents

Contains news clippings, letters, memorandums and reports from 1953 to 1956 concerning Utah Governor Joseph Bracken Lee.

Dates: 1953-1956
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 Karl G. Maeser, 1952-1955

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Correspondence about a book written by Alma P. Burton about Karl G. Maeser. Also included are lists describing some of the work done by Maeser. The letters discuss the distribution of the books as well as the editing. Dated 1952 to 1955.

Dates: 1952-1955
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 placement, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 43
Scope and Contents

Contains reports, memos and letters concerning student employment at BYU. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958
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 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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / UA 1086, Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.