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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 1064 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President general correspondence, 1921-1945

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089 Series 1
Scope and Contents Contains the correspondence between Brigham Young University President Franklin S. Harris from his time as president from 1921-1945. Some correspondence contains the response from Harris. On average each year is divided into A-H, I-M, and N-Z. Among those that Harris corresponded with are President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints Heber J. Grant and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, United States Senators and Representatives, educational leaders across the...
Dates: 1921-1945
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records

Office of the President general files, 1980-1984

 Series — Box 68: Series 13; Series 16 [Barcode: 31197230187020], Folder: 4-18
Identifier: UA 1030 Series 16
Scope and Contents

Contains general files including materials on the Translation Sciences Institution and computer translation, a conference on Christians and Jews, and the University Presidency. Materials date from 1980 to 1984.

Dates: 1980-1984
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1971-1980

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085 Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains materials that cover topics that do not fit into other categories. The majority of these topics include general announcements and events that President Oaks felt needed his personal note. These include notices of births, deaths, and illnesses among faculty and students. Other materials include "thank you" cards and invitations to various events not associated with the Brigham Young University or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dates range from 1971 to 1980.

Dates: 1971-1980
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1945-1949

 Series
Identifier: UA 1087 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains general files regarding McDonald's inauguration, the Board of Trustees, PTA, and a building proposal. Also includes files regarding faculty, including faculty applications and work samples, faculty members report, and appointment recommendations, 1945-1949.

Dates: 1945-1949
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1964

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 7 Sub-Series 12
Scope and Contents

Contains letters and memos on general topics such as personal correspondence of President Wilkinson and the Utah School Commission. dated 1964.

Dates: 1964
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1964-1965

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 8 Sub-Series 10
Scope and Contents

Letters and memos to President Wilkinson inviting him to attend and speak at events, as well as his responses. Also contains letters of congratulations and travel information. Dated 1964-1965.

Dates: 1964-1965
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1966-1967

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

Letters and memos to President Wilkinson inviting him to attend and speak at events. as well as his responses. Also contains letters of congratulations and travel information. Dated 1966-1967.

Dates: 1966-1967
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1967

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 10 Sub-Series 9
Scope and Contents

Memos and letters to and from President Wilkinson discussing miscellaneous personal and professional matters such as condolences, congratulations, pollitics, and inviations to speaking engagements. Dated 1967.

Dates: 1967
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1968

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

Memos and letters to and from President Wilkinson discussing miscellaneous personal and professional matters such as condolences, congratulations, pollitics, and inviations to speaking engagements. Dated 1968.

Dates: 1968
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

Office of the President general records, 1969

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 12 Sub-Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains general letters and memos between President Wilkinson and others. Also contains reports on trips to Vietnam. Dated 1969.

Dates: 1969
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives / Office of the President records / Office of the President records

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