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 334 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1977-1978

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 7 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents From the Series: Contains materials related to President Oaks' ecclesiastical responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. These materials include correspondence between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presiding Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the status of the wards and stakes level of organization attached to Brigham Young University. Correspondence covers different aspects of Mormon life at Brigham Young University, with leadership...
Dates: 1977-1978

Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1978-1979

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 7 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents From the Series: Contains materials related to President Oaks' ecclesiastical responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. These materials include correspondence between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presiding Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the status of the wards and stakes level of organization attached to Brigham Young University. Correspondence covers different aspects of Mormon life at Brigham Young University, with leadership...
Dates: 1978-1979

Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1979-1980

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 7 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents From the Series: Contains materials related to President Oaks' ecclesiastical responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. These materials include correspondence between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presiding Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the status of the wards and stakes level of organization attached to Brigham Young University. Correspondence covers different aspects of Mormon life at Brigham Young University, with leadership...
Dates: 1979-1980

Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1971-1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 7 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents From the Series: Contains materials related to President Oaks' ecclesiastical responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. These materials include correspondence between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presiding Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the status of the wards and stakes level of organization attached to Brigham Young University. Correspondence covers different aspects of Mormon life at Brigham Young University, with leadership...
Dates: 1971-1972

Office of the President records on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1971-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 7
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to President Oaks' ecclesiastical responsibilities in the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints. These materials include correspondence between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Presiding Authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about the status of the wards and stakes level of organization attached to Brigham Young University. Correspondence covers different aspects of Mormon life at Brigham Young University, with leadership...
Dates: 1971-1980

Office of the President records on the physical plant, 1971-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the physical plant of the Brigham Young University campus. Materials focus on topics such as the upkeep of building, construction of new buildings, security, and decoration for special events. Materials consists of correspondence, reports, and memos detailing problems or concerns about campus and the response on what should be done. Dates range from 1971 to 1980.

Dates: 1971-1980

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 universities, 1939-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 66
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memorandums, reports and assorted other materials concerning universities. Contains materials which compare and contrast programs and enrollment of the University of Utah, Utah State Agricultural College, and BYU. Also includes reports from the Utah legislative Council which describe higher education in Utah. Dated 1939 to 1956.

Dates: 1939-1956

Office of the President records on universities, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 34
Scope and Contents

Contains reports, memos and letters pertaining to BYU's relationship with other universities, especially the University of Utah. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

Office of the President records on universities, 1972

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 15 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains materials pertaining to the office of President Ernest L. Wilkinson of Brigham Young University. Includes memos, correspondence, printed materials, and news clippings on various other universities. Includes material on universities such as Rockford College, the University of Utah, and Weber State University. Dated 1972.

Dates: 1972