Ray O. Wyland
Encyclopedia
Ray Orion Wyland served as National Director of Education and National Director of the Division of Relationships for the Boy Scouts of America
(BSA). He is a founding advisor to Alpha Phi Omega
.
. He moved to Ringwood, Oklahoma
in 1902. In 1908 and 1909 he attended the high school in Greenville, Texas
, later moving to Danville, Illinois
where he graduated from high school there in 1911. Four years later he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
, with a degree of A.B. and honors in psychology
. He then attended the Garrett Seminary
in Evanston, Illinois
and received his B.D. degree in 1918. Taking post graduate courses he received his M.A. degree ion 1929 and his Ph. D. in 1934 from Columbia University
.
His family included his wife, the former Miss Ruby Arnold, and their son, Ray O. Wyland Jr.
Serving as managing director of the United American in Illinois
from 1919 to 1922, Dr. Wyland conducted a training school in Americanization
work which resulted in the naturalization of 20,000 aliens. He helped 'Americanize' several hundred thousand foreign-born.
As Director of Relationships, Wyland coordinated the work of Protestant
, Catholic
, Jewish
, Latter-day Saint, and other religious groups in their Scouting participation, also educational institutions, civic groups, service clubs, fraternal bodies and parent institutions which sponsored Scout Troops and Cub Packs.
As Director of Education, he edited Principles of Scoutmastership (first training material for Scoutmasters in the early 1930s) and other publications.
His doctoral dissertation was Scouting in the Schools: A Study of the Relationships Between the Schools and the Boy Scouts of America. His dissertation advisor was Dr. Elbert K. Fretwell
, who would become the BSA's second Chief Scout Executive
. It was first published in book form in 1934 by Teacher College Press, part of Columbia University
.
Methodist
Church in New York
, president of the New York Rotary Club, president of the Strathmore Association of Westchester County
, gave leadership in Red Cross, U.S.O.
, Community Chest
campaigns and was a captain in the Auxiliary Police
in World War II
.
, having served as Scout Advisor from the inception of the Fraternity. He played a large role in the development of operating policies, constitution and bylaws of Alpha Phi Omega and devising the fourfold program of service for Alpha Phi Omega. His attendance at all of the National Conventions through at least 1951 helped with this endeavor.
In 1930, when application was made for approval of Alpha Phi Omega by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Dr. Wyland worked hand in hand with Dr. H. Roe Bartle in presenting the facts which brought about a favorable decision and gave Alpha Phi Omega the official sanction of the Scouting Movement.
He was honored by Alpha Phi Omega by dedicating the 1951 Fall Pledge class to him. He was awarded the National Distinguished Service Award by Alpha Phi Omega in 1956. He represented the National Fraternity at the chartering of a large number of chapters in the Northeast in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a signer of the Alpha Phi Omega Articles of Incorporation in 1968.
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
(BSA). He is a founding advisor to Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...
.
Early life and career
Dr. Wyland was born in Jewell County, KansasJewell County, Kansas
Jewell County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,077. Its county seat and most populous city is Mankato.-19th century:...
. He moved to Ringwood, Oklahoma
Ringwood, Oklahoma
Ringwood is a town in Major County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 424 at the 2000 census, at which time it was a city; it became a town in November 2005.-Geography:Ringwood is located at ....
in 1902. In 1908 and 1909 he attended the high school in Greenville, Texas
Greenville, Texas
Greenville is the county seat, and the largest city, of Hunt County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,557....
, later moving to Danville, Illinois
Danville, Illinois
Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of...
where he graduated from high school there in 1911. Four years later he graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, with a degree of A.B. and honors in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He then attended the Garrett Seminary
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology of the United Methodist Church located in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1853, Garrett-Evangelical is on the campus of Northwestern University and continues many associations with the university...
in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
and received his B.D. degree in 1918. Taking post graduate courses he received his M.A. degree ion 1929 and his Ph. D. in 1934 from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
His family included his wife, the former Miss Ruby Arnold, and their son, Ray O. Wyland Jr.
Serving as managing director of the United American in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
from 1919 to 1922, Dr. Wyland conducted a training school in Americanization
Americanization
Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, or political techniques of other countries. The term has been used since at least 1907. Inside the U.S...
work which resulted in the naturalization of 20,000 aliens. He helped 'Americanize' several hundred thousand foreign-born.
Boy Scouts of America
Wyland became affiliated with the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America on August 1, 1922 and was connected with the National Council throughout the intervening years. He started as National Director of Relationships for what was first called the "Bureau of Church Relations" then later the "Relationships Division". He would also become acting Director of Education in 1925, then Director of Education in 1930. He would hold these positions until 1952.As Director of Relationships, Wyland coordinated the work of Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, Latter-day Saint, and other religious groups in their Scouting participation, also educational institutions, civic groups, service clubs, fraternal bodies and parent institutions which sponsored Scout Troops and Cub Packs.
As Director of Education, he edited Principles of Scoutmastership (first training material for Scoutmasters in the early 1930s) and other publications.
His doctoral dissertation was Scouting in the Schools: A Study of the Relationships Between the Schools and the Boy Scouts of America. His dissertation advisor was Dr. Elbert K. Fretwell
Elbert K. Fretwell
Professor Elbert K. Fretwell, PhD,[1878-1962) was an American academic and early leader in the field of youth development through recreation and extracurricular activity. He served as the second Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1943 to 1948. Upon his retirement...
, who would become the BSA's second Chief Scout Executive
Chief Scout Executive
The Chief Scout Executive is the top professional of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. In most similar non-profit organizations, this is equivalent to the position of executive director....
. It was first published in book form in 1934 by Teacher College Press, part of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
Other positions
Wyland was a trustee of the Washington SquareWashington Square Park
Washington Square Park is one of the best-known of New York City's 1,900 public parks. At 9.75 acres , it is a landmark in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village, as well as a meeting place and center for cultural activity...
Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
Church in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, president of the New York Rotary Club, president of the Strathmore Association of Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
, gave leadership in Red Cross, U.S.O.
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
, Community Chest
Community Chest (US organization)
The Community Chests in the United States and Canada were fund-raising organizations that collected money from local businesses and workers and distributed it to community projects. The first Community Chest, "Community Fund," was founded in 1913 in Cleveland, Ohio by the Federation for Charity and...
campaigns and was a captain in the Auxiliary Police
Auxiliary police
Auxiliary police or special constables in England) are usually the part-time reserves of a regular police force. They may be armed or unarmed. They may be unpaid volunteers or paid members of the police service with which they are affiliated...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Alpha Phi Omega
Dr. Wyland is a charter member of Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi OmegaAlpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...
, having served as Scout Advisor from the inception of the Fraternity. He played a large role in the development of operating policies, constitution and bylaws of Alpha Phi Omega and devising the fourfold program of service for Alpha Phi Omega. His attendance at all of the National Conventions through at least 1951 helped with this endeavor.
In 1930, when application was made for approval of Alpha Phi Omega by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Dr. Wyland worked hand in hand with Dr. H. Roe Bartle in presenting the facts which brought about a favorable decision and gave Alpha Phi Omega the official sanction of the Scouting Movement.
He was honored by Alpha Phi Omega by dedicating the 1951 Fall Pledge class to him. He was awarded the National Distinguished Service Award by Alpha Phi Omega in 1956. He represented the National Fraternity at the chartering of a large number of chapters in the Northeast in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a signer of the Alpha Phi Omega Articles of Incorporation in 1968.