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 Alumni Association, 1959

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contians letters and memos between President Wilkinson and BYU alumni. Dated 1959

Dates: 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 Alumni Association, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos about the BYU Alumni Association as well as lists and articles about alumni and alumni descendents. Also contains memos and financial records about use of Aspen Grove. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967
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 appointments, 1963

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

Contains memos between President Wilkinson and BYU faculty organizing his appointments for various university president duties. 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 appreciation, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains letters of appreciation to President Wilkinson from members of the community for various services. 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 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
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 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
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 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 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
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 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
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 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
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.