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 291 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President records on eminent domain, 1957-1958

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 3 Sub-Series 21
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters and proposals regarding the right of eminent domain to private institutions of higher learning in the state of Utah. 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 enrollment, 1962-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 35
Scope and Contents

Contains letters, memos and statistical charts and reports about the enrollment of students at BYU. Dated 1962 to 1963.

Dates: 1962-1963
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 enrollment, 1959-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 30
Scope and Contents

Contains statistics, charts and reports on BYU enrollment, summer school enrollment, changes in enrollment over time, and projected future enrollment. Also contains statistics on students. Dated 1959 to 1963.

Dates: 1959-1963
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 Extension Division, 1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, BYU staff and general authorities about the Church Extension Division, including BYU satellite programs, Education Week, study abroad programs, and at-home continuing education programs. Also contains curriculum for these programs. Dated 1965.

Dates: 1965
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 Extension Division, 1963-1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 11
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos with President Wilkinson about the BYU extension division. Topics include continuing education, various BYU satellite campuses and education weeks at BYU. Dated 1963 to 1964.

Dates: 1963-1964
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 Extension Division, 1958-1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 36
Scope and Contents

Contains memos, letters, brochures and reports from staff in the BYU extension division. The materials pertain to publications, continuing education, and BYU leadership week. Dated 1958 to 1963.

Dates: 1958-1963
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 Extension Division, 1958-1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains materials related to the Extension Division's Leadership Week. These materials include memos and letters between President Wilkinson and other faculty planning events as well as programs and pamphlets detailing the events of the week. Dated 1959.

Dates: 1958-1959
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 Extension Division, 1966

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 9 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between President Wilkinson, BYU staff and general authorities about the Church Extension Division, including BYU satellite programs, Education Week, study abroad programs, and at-hom emcontinuing education programs. Also contains curriculum for these programs. Dated 1966.

Dates: 1966
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 faculty, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 37
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos between BYU faculty and President Wilkinson discussing personal as well as academic issues. Also contains reports on faculty terminations, salaries, hiring and promotions. 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 federal aid to education, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 38
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, memorandums, reports and bills on the subject of federal aid to higher education. 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

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.