Ricks College President

     After our four year assignment at the MTC concluded in July 1983, I went back in the CES Commissioner’s Office assisting with the administration of Seminaries and Institutes and Church Schools.  At the time I was concurrently called to serve as a member of the YMMIA General Board and then as a Regional Representative of the Twelve with assignment to the Provo, Utah Region.

     One day in the summer of 1985, I came home one day and mentioned to Barbara that they were taking applications for the President of Rick College. Hal Eyring's secretary called one day to ask if I would come in for an interview. I was rather excited about the prospect when I arrived home and knew that Barbara was crushed with even the idea of it. She felt that each of our children particularly needed us home right then and we hadn't been home for less than two years. Somehow Russell Nelson found out about how Barbara felt about leaving and said to his wife one day: "It is a ways away but it beats Argentina." We never knew what that meant but started to become grateful that Barbara would only be 4 1/2 hours away. Barbara has never liked leaving where we have lived but this move would make number 22. Somehow the other moves seemed easier since we were taking our children with us.

     They called to tell us that we would fly up to Rexburg with Thomas Monson for the news to be announced to the faculty. Elder Monson made the announcement and then called on each of us to speak. Barbara affirms that was the hardest talk she's ever given. He heart was just torn out at the thought of leaving our family at the time.

     We traveled back to Salt Lake to begin packing. Spencer decided to come up to Rexburg for a semester and so the two of us stayed in a motel while we finished painting the house we would move into. Barbara packed up everything at home in Salt Lake and came to meet us in Rexburg. The highlight of that semester for Barbara was having Spencer with us before returning to the Y. We lived in the President's home which was very nice and the yard work was all taken care of which was a real treat and change for us.

The following is from Barbara's journal at the time:

     "From the beginning we decided that we would like to have all faculty members come to our home to dinner. We made the arrangements with the catering at the college and began inviting them. We have 275 on the faculty and then must count the spouses. Also, we want still to have all of the administrative staff and spouses. We were going to invite them according to department, but we decided that all of the department people already know each other, so we would go alphabetically. We started with the “Z”s instead of at the beginning of the alphabet. We have eleven couples come each time and then Joe and I make the twelfth couple. We set up three round tables and then the college brings the food. We usually have a Chinese meal. They have been very nice. When we have finished eating, we invite them into the living room, where we get a little better acquainted. Joe asks each to take about two minutes to tell a bit about himself/herself. We hear where they grew up, met their mates (if married), where they went on missions and to school, how they came to arrive at Ricks, etc. Then, as a conclusion, each tells the one thing he/she likes best about his spouse. I think this is good for everyone to do. We have learned a great deal about them, and have enjoyed these parties.

     The faculty is very outstanding. There is no such thing as teaching assistants, so each student is taught under the direction of a professor. They all have time to listen to and help the individual student–or, at least, they take time. The students all comment on this when asked what they like about Ricks. There are many with doctorates and many, many with masters’ degrees. They are well qualified and sharp in their disciplines. We have enjoyed getting to know all of them."

     While in Rexburg, I served as a Regional Representative. The areas included Shelley, Shelley South, and Firth on the south, and then past Idaho Falls to Rigby area. Included is Rigby East, Rigby, Roberts, Menan, Ririe, and then on up to the Moore and Salmon on the north. That was a total of ten stakes, so that keeps us hopping. At the time I also served as the Commissioner of Scouting of the Teton Peaks Council. Our assignments required us to travel much and Barbara would often say about our hours in the car that it is a good thing we really like each other. Despite her earliest misgivings, we have learned to love Rexburg and this wonderful school.

     We traveled to Salt Lake at least once monthly, often more. Since we rented out our home while we were gone, we rotated staying at our children's homes. We have such wonderful children and grandchildren.