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History

Founded 3 April 1908, the Utah Academy of Sciences was organized "to promote investigations and diffuse knowledge in all areas of science." Beginning 1923, the Academy started publishing the papers presented in its annual meetings in Proceedings. In June 1933 at the annual meeting, the Academy was enlarged to include the arts and letters, and the name was changed to the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. Articles of incorporation and nonprofit organization status were accepted by the Academy membership at the spring meeting in April 1959. In 1977, the name of the journal of the Academy was changed from Proceedings to Encyclia. It became a refereed journal at this time. In the mid 1980s, the scope of the Academy was expanded still further to include 1) Business, 2) Education, 3) Engineering, 4) Library Information and Instruction, and 5) Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. Beginning with the 1998 issue, the journal is now The Journal of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters.

Annual Meeting

The Academy's annual meetings are normally held in April on one of the Utah campuses of higher education. The plenary session is called the Tanner Lecture, endowed by Mr. O. C. Tanner in 1986.

Best Paper Awards

The best paper presented in every division is given a cash award, which is presented at the "Academy's Awards Evening" held the following Fall.

Distinguished Service Awards

The Academy recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching and scholarship by means of annual Distinguished Service Awards, alternating every other year between disciplines.

Membership

When the Academy was founded in 1908, membership was by nomination, ratified by the Council, and elected by a "three-fourths vote of members present." Today, the Academy's membership is available by application.

Institutional Members

All Utah institutions of higher education are members of the Utah Academy. The Academy appreciates their patronage.

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2013 Annual Excursion

Indians, Mountain Men, and Settlers

We will meet at the visitors center (main building) of American West Heritage Center at 9 a.m. on June 1.  The center is located in Cache Valley on US 89-91 just a few miles northeast of Wellsville on the north side of the highway.  It is well marked.  Between 9 am and noon, we will tour the settler and mountain man exhibits with the assistance of some expert guides and participate in hands-on activities including mountain man activities (hatchet throwing, etc.) and early farming activities.  There are two settlement periods represented, early settlement (@1860), and the 1917 Jensen Historical Farm.  The Jensen Historical Farm has an authentic farm house and other buildings, a lot of period equipment, including steam tractors and threshers and a kerosene tractor, along with all the other machines and equipment used during that period.  In addition, there are lots of farm animals and rides on ponies and a narrow-gauge railroad.

The Elements Restaurant is catering our noon meal, which will be a very nice dutch oven dinner with a vegetarian option.  After lunch, we will learn about the economy and culture of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, the group native to Northern Utah. This activity--led by a representative of the Northwestern Band--will include interpretative exhibits and hands-on opportunities describing Shoshone life and culture.  We will also learn about the Bear River Massacre and will travel to the massacre site as our final activity of the day. The cost is $30 per person, which includes the activities at the American West Heritage Center and the meal. You are encouraged to invite family and friends.  We will need a count of how many from your group will attend and whether you prefer a vegetarian meal. Payment can be made on the web page or by check, if you prefer.  Hope to see you all there.  It will be an informative and enjoyable day.

Registration

To register for the excursion using a credit card or to pay by check click here. Registrations must be received by 2:00 PM on May 29.

Journal Submission

Participants in the 2013 Annual Conference are eligble to submit papers for inclusion in the Journal of the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters.

Instructions for Authors

 

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