By Christian Fehlberg
Each year during Homecoming week, BYU honors a distinguished individual for his contributions to the mission and goals of BYU. This week, BYU will pay tribute to Edwin S. Hinckley by honoring him with the annual Founders Award.
A legendary teacher known for his educational contributions to the university, Hinckley is perhaps best remembered through the Edwin S. Hinckley Scholarship, the largest privately endowed scholarship BYU offers, according to a BYU press release.
Although Hinckley made significant contributions to BYU, he also had a profound influence outside of BYU throughout his life.
“Hinckley was a man who was vital wherever he was,” said Charlene Winters, director of communications for the alumni association. “He did a lot of great things while he was at BYU, but when he left BYU he also did wonderful things.”
Following his education at Brigham Young Academy, Hinckley and his wife, Adeline moved to Ann Arbor, Mich. to attend the University of Michigan. In addition to being a diligent student – he graduated as salutatorian of his class – Hinckley served a part-time mission at the same time.
Hinckley returned to BYU to teach in 1895, and eventually became known as the geologist of the university. As a teacher, he had the gift to touch his students” lives in a way many of them would never forget.
“What he taught me in geology has long since ceased to make the slightest difference to me,” said J. Edward Johnson, one of Hinckley”s students. “But the inspiration of his personality and philosophy of life, his keen wit and wholesome good humor continue to fire me with new ambitions.”
After he retired from BYU, Hinckley served as superintendent of the State Industrial School at Ogden. While serving at the school, Hinckley”s management philosophy was “trust – not punish.”
Hinckley also served as executive director for the Provo City Chamber of Commerce and served twice as BYU”s Alumni president.
One of BYU”s Homecoming week activities is the Brimhall essay contest, which is designed to pay respect to that year”s highlighted Founder. The contest is named after BYU President George H. Brimhall and is sponsored by the Brimhall family. This year the contest honors Hinckley as a person who is “firm in the fire.”
Those who participated in the essay contest were judged based on three criteria. The three criteria include whether the essay was generous in reference to the Founder, whether the essay related the theme to the Founder and to what extent the essay showed personal application.
This year”s Brimhall essay contest winner was Melissa Draper, a senior from Chanhassen, Min. majoring in chemistry. As first-place finisher, Draper will present her essay at Tuesday”s opening Homecoming exercises. Runners-up include Brittany Jones and Elizabeth Ellis, with Steven Pearson and Lisa Fraser receiving honorable mentions.
