Brigham Young University. Dept. of Air Science

The Department of Air Science was formed in 1952 in the College of Arts and Sciences; in 1966 it was renamed the Department of Aerospace Studies. Chairmen of Air Science were Lt. Colonel Jesse E. Stay (1954-1955), Colonel Barnett S. Allen (1956-1959), Lt. Colonel William J. Gibson (1959-1964), and Lt. Colonel Donald E. McCulloch (1964-1966).

Variant names

Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences. Dept. of Air Science

Brigham Young University. College of Physical and Engineering Sciences. Dept. of Air Science

Brigham Young University. Air Science Dept.

Description

Established: 1952

Abolished: 1966

Location: Provo, Utah (1952-1966)

Functions

The Department of Air Science served as the academic unit for the United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at BYU. The academic program prepared students for commission as second lieutenant in the Air Force upon completion of the ROTC program and graduation from BYU with a bachelor's degree. The program initially featured four courses, I-IV, which were taken in each successive school year; the advanced courses, III and IV, were at first specialization courses, which were assigned based on recommendations from a Selection Board of Air Force officers under the direction of the chairman of Air Science. The specializations offered were administration and logistics, comptrollership, flight operation, and general technical; beginning in 1953, specializations were no longer offered and a general course of study for all four years was implemented, and continued to be adapted and refined over the years. In 1961, Air Science was offered as a minor for the first time.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The department was administered by a chairman reporting to the college dean.

Air Science also ran the Leadership Laboratory, an integral part of the ROTC experience. Advanced cadets planned and oversaw the program, which afforded cadets the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Promotion within this program was based upon demonstrated leadership abilities.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences (1952-1954)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Physical and Engineering Sciences (1954-1966)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Aerospace Studies (1966)

Associated Archival Materials

Records, 1954-1974 (UA 574)

Sources

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1952-53: p. 131 (Dept of Air Science represents the Senior Division of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program; comprises four courses, I-IV, of which I and II cover general Air Force subjects, and III and IV are specializations; upon completion of this program and graduation with a degree, students are commissioned as Second Lieutenant in Air Force); p. 133 (students receive specialization based on decision made by Selection Board and Professor in department; specializations include Administration-Logistics, Comptrollership, Flight Operation, and General Technical)

Brigham Young University General Catalog 1953-54: p. 106 (generalized advanced program [III and IV] is introduced: Applied Air Science and Techniques; continues to be adapted over the years)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1954-55: p. 128 (Lt. Col. Jesse E. Stay, chairman; through 1955)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1956-57: p. 133 (Col. Barnett S. Allen, chairman); p. 135 (during senior year, students appointed cadet officer position and participates in training of other cadets)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1957-58: p. 152 (Leadership Laboratory, run by senior cadets; designed to give cadets direct experience in leadership, promotion based on proving leadership ability)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1959-60: p. 162 (Lt. Colonel William J. Gibson, chairman)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1961-62: p. 177 (minor is offered beginning this year)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1964-66: p. 132 (Lt. Colonel Donald E. McCulloch, chairman)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00031

Creator: UPB