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 1064 Collections and/or Records:

Office of the President planning records on the J. Reuben Clark Law School, 1971-1972

 Sub-Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 2 Sub-Series 6 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, recommendations, and other material related to planning for the Clark Law School. Materials date from between 1971 and 1972.

Dates: 1971-1972

Office of the President presentations to Board of Trustees, 1989-1993

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1073 Series 2 Sub-Series 4 Sub-Series 18
Scope and Contents

Contains reports, minutes, and other materials related to university administration presented to the Board of Trustees. Materials date from between 1989 and 1993.

Dates: 1989-1993

Office of the President recommendations, 1959-1962

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4 Sub-Series 60
Scope and Contents

Contains letters from BYU students and alumni requesting letters of recommendation from President Wilkinson. Also contains memos and letters on the topic of letters of recommendation. Dated 1959 to 1962.

Dates: 1959-1962

Office of the President recommendations, 1963

 Sub-Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6 Sub-Series 64
Scope and Contents

Contians letters, memos, reports and lists about recommendations for students and staff. Dated 1963.

Dates: 1963

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1073
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with university vice presidents and deans of colleges, General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the president of Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and others. Major subjects include university relations, admissions and records, athletics, the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, the honor and dress codes, and other related issues. Also includes minutes to Board of Trustees meetings.

Dates: 1996-2003

Office of the President records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 5514
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence with university vice presidents and deans of colleges, General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the president of Brigham Young University-Hawaii, and others. Major subjects include university relations, admissions and records, athletics, the honor and dress codes, and other related issues. It also includes travel files for the Office of the President, and minutes of the Board of Trustees. Materials date from between 2003 and 2010.

Dates: 2003-2010

Office of the President records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 925
Scope and Contents Contains correspondence, speeches, and other materials from Lee's service as university president. The materials document campus administration, including planning for devotionals and forums, athletics, and other activities. Major subjects include university relations, admissions and records, athletics, the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, the honor and dress codes, and other related issues. Also includes minutes to Board of Trustees meetings.Materials date from between 1989 and...
Dates: 1989-1996

Office of the President records

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197231036176]
Identifier: UA 204
Scope and Contents

Contains academic year President's reports concerning Brigham Young University organization and objectives.

Dates: 1905-1921

Office of the President records, 1949-1963

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 4
Scope and Contents

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 1949 to 1963.

Dates: 1949-1963

Office of the President records, 1944-1962

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 5
Scope and Contents

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 1944 to 1962.

Dates: 1944-1962