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Show Joel E. Ricks 1920-1922 Joel E. Ricks was born on October 18, 1889 in Rexburg, Idaho, the son of Nathan and Sarah Ann Taylor Ricks. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1912, Ricks taught school in Gunnison, Utah, until 1917 when he became head of the history department at Weber College. Ricks married Katherine McKay (sister of another Weber chief executive, David O. McKay) on June 8,1917 in Salt Lake City. After three years of service on the faculty, Ricks was appointed president in 1920. In his two years as president, Ricks sought to strengthen the college library and the athletic program, and institute a number of general college courses. He also continued to teach history while serving as president. He left office in 1922, and from then until 1967 he was a member of the history faculty at the Utah State Agricultural College, which became Utah State University. Ricks received a masters degree in history from the University of Chicago in 1920, and a Ph.D. from the same school in 1930. In 1928-1929 he was a graduate fellow. During the years he taught history at USAC USU, Ricks was active in the Utah State Historical Society serving on the board of trustees from 1925-1965, longer than any other individual, and as president from 1949-1957. Ricks was a member of the Cache Valley Centennial Commission, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Alpha Theta and other professional and civic organizations, and was active in the LDS church. In 1964 Ricks was one of six historians throughout the nation recognized for his work in state and regional history by the American Association for State and Local History. During his career he made an important contribution to the writing and collecting of Utah history. He was the author of numerous monographs and articles including The Utah State Agricultural College, 1888-1938: A History of Fifty Years, and The History of a Valley. Ricks died in Logan on November 26, 1974. Aaron W. Tracy 1922-1935 Aaron W. Tracy, President of Weber College for thirteen years, was born on March 3, 1885 in Marriott, Utah, a son of Helon Hemy and Phoebe Draper Tracy. Orphaned at an early age, Tracy lived with and worked for family and friends in Marriott and pursued a limited grade school education. Tracy was a student at Weber Academy from 1905 to 1907, and was student body president in 1906-1907. During that period of time he thought he would have to drop out of school for financial reasons. When he informed Principal David O. McKay of this fact, McKay invited the young student to live in his home and work for him to earn the money for school expenses. After graduating from Weber Stake Academy in 1907, Tracy served as principal of Weber County public schools, from 1907-1911, and again from 1914-1917; as well as Principal of Box Elder school district from 1912-1913. Tracy married Ethel Marriott on April 17, 1912 in Salt Lake City, and they were the parents of seven children. Tracy attended Brigham Young University where he was studentbody president in 1918-1919, obtaining a bachelors degree in English in 1919. From 1919 until his selection as president in 1922, Tracy was the head of the English department at Weber. During his thirteen year tenure as president, Tracy served through difficult years for the college. The school was frequently faced with financial difficulties which required Tracys constant attention. Despite the difficulties, Tracy stressed the importance of a solid liberal education, while simultaneously expanding Webers program in some vocational areas as well. In 1923, Tracy presided |
