--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Andrew M. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 25 number: 12 published: 1922-10 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Andrew M. Anderson, "The Brigham Young University Alpine School", *Improvement Era* 25, no. 12 (October 1922): 1067–1070.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera25012unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera25012unse start_page: 1067 end_page: 1070 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera25012unse publication_year: 1922 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Brigham Young University Alpine School The Brigham Young University Alpine School By Andrew M. Anderson A successful open air summer school held 7,500 feet above sea level on the side of a twelve-thousand foot peak, was the unique and distinctive achievement of the educational depart- ment of the Brigham Young University. Largely experimental in its purpose, it proved so satisfactory that it predicts itself the forerunner of a school of this type which will continue to grow and enlarge its scope of influence until it shall draw its students from the most distant parts. It extended from July 17 to August 19 at Aspen Grove, on the side of Mt. Timpanogos, with six days of school work per week, and at the altitude at which it was held, an ideal climate exists without the heat of the lower valley, in addition to the unlimited field for original research and investigation. Dr. Martin P. Henderson, Dean of the College of Arts and Science, and Prof. Fred Buss, Prof, of Geology, were the di- rectors of the school, with Prof. C. Y. Cannon, as Camp Di- rector. Dr. Thomas L. Martin and Dr. Murray Hayes also spent a numbter of days at the Grove as special instructors. Nature study, geology, biology and taxonomy, were the lines of work which the students turned their attention to, and with the abundant flora of the mountain forests and the natural forma- tions of the cliffs furnishing endless material for study, every hour of th|3 day was spent either in the class room, in the laboratory, or on field trips. One of the accomplishments of the geological department was the making of a complete geologi- cal survey of Mt. Timpanogos under the direction of Prof. Buss, and many specimens of geological strata and numerous fossils wer\3 collected. This necessitated a two days' trip to the cirques and the top of Timpanogos, where in addition to the geological work collections were made of the plant life of the higher zones. Trips were also taken to other parts of the canyons and moun- tains. A detailed study was made of the plant life and whenever specimens were needed for laboratory observation they were found with little effort. The flora was so abundant that it 1068 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Schoolhouse with the campus reaching to the Clouds. — Alpine\ School was estimated that of the approximately 1,800 flowering plants in Utah, more than 1,200 could be, found on Timpanogos, and there were five distinct zones ranging from the Transitional to the Arctic Alpine, each with distinctive types of plant life. Even the final examinations were interesting and appeal- ing, the students being instructed to collect and bring to camp specimens of various kinds, and in this way the most thor- ough and complete collection of plants from the very lowest form to the highest was found, preserved and added to the University's collections. They were then studied and reviewed in their relation to one another. Special lectures on related subjects were contributed by Dr. John A. Widtsoe, Prof. E. M. Ledyard, etymologist for the U. S. Smelter company, and Dr. Kimball Young. A student body organization was perfected which did much to add to the success of the school, particularly the entertain- ment, camp welfare, and keeping a record of events. Mr. W. A. Paxton, of Kanosh, was elected president, with Joseph A. Anderson, of Salina, vice-president. All of the remainder of the students were placed on various committees, as follows: Historical: Harold W. Bientley, Colonia Juarez, Mexico, chairman; Andrew M. Anderson, Rexburg, Idaho, and Jesse Weight, Springville. Prof. M. P. Henderson, adviser. THE B. Y. U. ALPINE SCHOOL. 1069 Special Correspondence: Reid Beck, Draper, chairman; Wayne Mayhew, Duschesne, A. D. Dudley, Vernal. Official Photographers: Prof. Fred Buss, Charles Wentz, Provo, E. R. Moody, Deseret. Camp Welfare: R. F. Lambert, Kamas, chairman; S. P. Mickleson, Fountain Green, T. O. Smith, Ogden. Geology class — Digging fossils, Alpine School Program Committee: James J. Hickman, Magna, chair- man; A. F. Riggs, Tropic, L. G. Lund, Fountain Green, E. L. Crawford, Harriman. Devotional exercises were held each morning, and every Wednesday the student body gave the program. Music was furnished the camp by a male quartette. A successful Sunday school was maintained for those who remained over Sunday and fior special visitors. Every possible arrangement for the accommodation and comfort of those in attendance was provided. Large army tents housied the students, and a very excellent dining room was maintained with Happy Hodson as cook, assisted by E. C. Sproul, and for those who desired to do their own cooking a camp commissary supplied their wants. The wives and families of the married students were much in evidence, joining in the devotional exercises, and the camp activities. The entire ses- sion was unmarred by accident or unpleasant experience, and 1070 IMPROVEMENT ERA the attitude of searching after the secrets of nature was para- mount. Along with it was manifest a spirit of fellowship, espe- cially evidenced after the day's work when campfire stories and songs were the order of events. Plans are in operation for a larger, broader and more ex- tended school next year. Every student expressed himself with DEVOTIONAL SERVICES AT ASPEN GROVE Dr. and Mrs. Widtsoe, President F. S. Harris, and members of Provo Kiwanis Club, in attendance. — Alpine School having experienced the most valuable period of his school ex- perience, and each one returned with increased physical strength, a broader attitude toward life, and greater faith in God, for having studied his handiwork in its primeval grandeur. Provo, Utah Greed To be always getting, and hoarding and planning A way to grasp more, with eyes never scanning The day to perceive another's due need, Doth fill well the mouth of insatiable- greed. To be always getting and never once giving, Ah me ! such a life would not be worth the living, But like unto some stagnant pool must appear With depths growing deadlier year after year. Grace Ingles Frost.