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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 388 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on Arab Development Society, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos, and one photo album documenting BYU and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's involvement in the Arab Development Society in Jordan. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on Arab Development Society, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Arab Development Society discussing daily operations and special circumstances of the program. Also contains reports about operations of the program. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963

Office of the President records on Arab Development Society, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others discussing the success and operations of the Arab Development Society. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959

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

Office of the President records on Aspen Grove, 1958

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

Contains memorandums addressed to President Harvey L. Taylor concerning the renovation and future use of Aspen Grove summer campgrounds, dated 1958.

Dates: 1958

Office of the President records on Aspen Grove, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters to and from President Wilkinson concerning the maintenance of Aspen Grove, especially hiring someone to take care of the property year-round. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on assemblies, 1952-1962

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

Contains memos and letters with speakers for BYU devotionals and assemblies. Also contains reports and materials for assemblies. Dated 1952 to 1962.

Dates: 1952-1962

Office of the President records on assemblies, 1955-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and memos coordinating speakers at Brigham Young University devotionals, correspondence with various educational foundations, and newsletters from the American Council on Education. Dated 1955 to 1958.

Dates: 1955-1958

Office of the President records on assemblies, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents From the Series:

Records of the Office of the President under Ernest L. Wilkinson on various administrative topics, including the Church School System, federal aid, finance, enrollment statistics, and general correspondence between administration. Dates of record keeping from 1956 to 1965.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on assemblies, 1959

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

Contains letters and memos within BYU planning speakers and events. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1959