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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 291 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on BYU Women, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 17
Scope and Contents

Contians letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others about honoring Mormon women. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1951

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Correspondence regarding obtaining a copy of the Pope's address on the topic of birth control, as well as the article. Also includes correspondence regarding Catholic student's requirements. Dated 1951.

Dates: 1951

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 13
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and clippings discussing the growth of the Catholic church and ex-catholic priests. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains lists of Protestant and Catholic churches. Also contains letters about Catholic Priests who converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated 1957 to 1958.

Dates: 1957-1958

Office of the President records on Catholic Church, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains a memo from President Wilkinson to Dean B. West Belnap about the Catholic church. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records on charts, 1960-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 14
Scope and Contents

Contains an index of charts kept in the basement of the Maeser building as well as memos between President Wilkinson and other BYU faculty discussing these charts. Dated 1960 to 1962.

Dates: 1960-1962

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1949-1957

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 1 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Ernest L. Wilkinson and local and general authority Church leaders concerning seminaries, institutes, student wards, events, etc. Dated 1949 to 1957.

Dates: 1949-1957

Office of the President records on Church organizations , 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations such as missions and auxiliaries. Dated 1964-1965.

Dates: 1965

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1964-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson and leaders of the Church discussing Church organizations and BYU issues. Also contains reports on activities of church organizations. Dated 1964 to 1965.

Dates: 1964-1965

Office of the President records on Church organizations, 1952-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Consists mainly of letters and memos conncerning organizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as University events and issues. Also contains reports about the church and its relations with Utah county and BYU. Dated 1952 to 1958.

Dates: 1952-1958