Lighting the "Y"

Ladies and gentlemen, we honor today a man who has played a major role in the development of Brigham Young University to it's present position of academic excellence and stability.

Born in Preston, Idaho of a pioneer Mormon family in 1903, he was taught an early age the values of industry, commitment and education. After receiving his Elementary and Secondary Education in Preston, he subsequently received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Utah in 1927, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California in 1931,

The next year he accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of North Dakota and after three years there, joined the Faculty of the University of Colorado where he was a prominent professor and administrator for the next twenty-three years. While there, he was a Professor of Economics; Professor of Banking for the Colorado School of Banking; Acting Dean of the Graduate School; Chairman of the Department of Social Sciences and, Assistant to the Vice-President. He was also named a University of Colorado Research Lecturer in 1951; and, received a University of Colorado Research Fellowship in 1955; and, was awarded their Alumni Medal for Extraordinary Services in 1957.

During this time he was also a consultant to the Colorado General Assembly; consultant to three Colorado Governors; and a member of the Governor's Commission on the Aged, Likewise, while on leaves of absence he was a principal economist for the War Production Board during World War II and a Professor of Economics in West Germany in the Overseas Program of the University of Maryland.

Although secure, content, and respected at the University of Colorado, in 1957, at the invitation of President Wilkinson, he same to BYU as the Academic Vice-President of the University and served in that position for eleven years - including being acting President of BTY in 1964-65. He resigned from the position in 1968 and returned to teaching in the Economics Department. He retired in 1971

During this time he played a major role in the recruitment of BTU's highly-trained Faculty; the establishment of the Honors Program for superior students; Faculty Research Fellowships; adoption of the semester system; new departments in General Studies and Industrial Technology and the establishment of many new Masters and Doctoral Degree programs. Involved in all aspects of university life, he even suggested the establishment of Band Day - to be held in conjunction with one of the University's football games each Fall.

Among other important positions of respect and responsibility he has held is that of Chairman of the Higher Commission of the Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools - the organization responsible for the accreditation of all Colleges and Universities in seven Northwestern States.

For this and other services to the University and his profession, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by BYU in 1968.

He is married to the former Della Comish and they have four children,

Ladies and gentlemen, it's a pleasure to have light the Y for us today, a dedicated, idealistic academician and former Academic Vice-President of Brigham Young University.....Dr. EARL C. CROCKETT.

Kenner Kartchner