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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 records, 1956-1965

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 6
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 1956 to 1965.

Dates: 1956-1965

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1030
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, memoranda, and reports between Jeffrey R. Holland and various university and church leadership and other personnel. Major subjects include university relations, university development, admissions and records, the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, and the role of religious education at Brigham Young University. Materials date from 1974-1989.

Dates: 1972-1989

Office of the President records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1086
Scope and Contents

Contains the presidential papers of Ernest L. Wilkinson span the years 1949 to 1975. They cover his pre-appointment period to the presidency, his presidential administration and his post-presidential activities. The collection documents University activities, programs, policies and procedures, and public relations with other universities, national, state and local organizations. It contains correspondence, memos, reports, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, and related materials.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1937-1975

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1089
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence and other material produced by Harris during his term as president of Brigham Young University from 1921 to 1945. Among his papers are financial and budget papers related to his years as president, materials related to Brigham Young University facilities maintenance and construction, and materials related to Brigham Young University during World War II.

Dates: 1921-1945

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1091
Scope and Contents

Contains alphabetical correspondence, files on colleges and departments, files on prospective faculty, and some budget records. Materials were produced by Christen Jensen during his service as acting president of the university between 1949 and 1951.

Dates: 1949-1951

Office of the President records

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231064509]
Identifier: UA 1090
Scope and Contents

Contains alphabetical correspondence and an annual report to the Board of Trustees. Materials were produced by Acting President L. John Nuttall between 1926 and 1927.

Dates: 1926-1927

Office of the President records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1087
Scope and Contents

Contains the presidential papers of Howard S. McDonald, including correspondence and personnel files documenting the administration of the university, 1945-1949.

Dates: 1945-1949

Office of the President records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1085
Scope and Contents Collection includes correspondence, memoranda, and reports between Dallin H. Oaks and university vice presidents, college deans, department chairmen, faculty, 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, university development, admissions and records, athletics, standards, housing issues involving Brigham Young University, and other related issues. Dates...
Dates: 1971-1980

Office of the President records, 1939-1978

 Series
Identifier: UA 1000 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains various Office of the President files, records, and correspondence. Includes notes and records on administrative standards as well as meeting minutes from the Administrative Council and the Board of Trustees. Dated 1939-1978.

Dates: 1939-1978

Office of the President records, 1950-1962

 Series
Identifier: UA 1086 Series 2
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 1950 to 1962.

Dates: Record Keeping: 1950-1962