H.T. Person

2024 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

H.T. (Hjalmar Thorval) Person, 1903 to 1974. HT Person is an outstanding example of the attributes that are looked for as an awardee of the Distinguished Service Award for the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Wyoming.  He has served as an Assistant Professor, Professor, Civil Department Head, and Dean of the College, as well as the Interim President of the University over the 36 years he was associated with UW. While Dean he was credited with ushering in the era of the research university by increasing enrollment, expanding graduate programs, and implementing the PhD degree as the standard for faculty in the College.  

 

HT received his Civil Engineering bachelor’s degree in 1925 from South Dakota State College and his master’s degree in 1927 from Iowa State University. He had leadership positions in the American Society of Civil Engineers, Director,  National Council of State Boards of Engineering Examiners, President, president of the Wyoming Engineering Society, Director of the US Coast and Geodetic Survey, Director Wyoming State Control Survey, Appointed to the President’s Missouri River Basin Survey Commission, appointed to the Upper Colorado River Commission, consultant to the Wyoming State Engineer, served as chief negotiator on the Upper Colorado, Yellowstone, Cheyenne, Snake, Niobrara and Columbia River Compact Commissions, as well as a number of additional committees and organizations.  Possibly his greatest contribution was as a teacher and mentor.

 

During his remarkable career as Professor, Dean and President of UW, H.T. Person touched lives, inspired his students and shaped the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He was beloved and respected by his colleagues, his peers and most importantly by “his” students. He was called by some the “finest teacher I ever had.” His students remembered his ability to make a complicated subject understandable. Affectionately known as “Prof.,”he was a mentor, father figure and friend — a teacher who listened, supported and cared.