Whetten, Lester B. (Lester Benjamin), 1904-1988
Biographical History
Lester B. Whetten (1904-1988) was an educational administrator in Utah.
Lester Benjamin Whetten was born on June 23, 1904 in Colonia Garcia, Chihuahua, Mexico, to John Amasa and Martha Elizabeth Carling Whetten. He attended school at Brigham Young University, where he studied animal science, sociology and Spanish. On June 18, 1930 he married Kate Allred in the Cardston Temple in Alberta, Canada. After his graduation in 1932, he completed a master's degree in education administration and then did advanced studies in higher education administration at the University of Chicago.
After completing his education, Whetten built a successful career in educational administration. This included work as the executive dean of the Chicago College of Osteopathy (1937-1942), superintendent of schools in Pagosa Springs, Colorado (1942-1943), president of Snow College (Ephraim, Utah, 1953-1956), director of agriculture at Mesa College (Grand Junction, Colorado), director of public relations and dean of general college at Brigham Young University (1956-1972), and chairman of Indian Education Department (1972-1973).
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Whetten served as a mission president in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico. He also served as a regional representative for the Church in El Salvador, Spain, and Portugal.
Whetten died on December 3, 1988 in Walnut Creek, California.
Citation:
Oral history interview with Lester Whetten, 1983 (Lester B. Whetten)Register of the Faculty Biographical Files, 1900-2000 (Lester B. Whetten)
FamilySearch, 14 April 2011 (Lester Benjamin WHETTEN; b. 23 JUN 1904 Mexico; d. 3 Dec 1988 Utah)
Ancestry.com, via WWW, Sept. 23, 2013 (Lester Benjamin Whetten; Lester B. Whetten; b. June 23, 1904 in Garcia, Mexico; parents: John Amasa Whetten and Martha Carling; m. June 18, 1930 to Kate Allred; lived in Mont., Provo, Utah; d. Dec. 3, 1988 in Contra Costa County, Calif.)
Deseret News, Dec. 7, 1988 (Lester B. Whetten; Lester Benjamin Whetten; b. June 23, 1904, Colonia Garcia, Chihuahua, Mexico, to John Amasa and Martha Elizabeth Carling Whetten; m. Kate Allred on June 18, 1930, in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, LDS Temple; graduated from BYU, 1932 with majors in animal science, sociology and Spanish; master's in education administration in 1934; advanced studies in higher education administration on fellowship at the University of Chicago; executive dean, Chicago College of Osteopathy, 1937-1942; superintendent of schools, Pagosa Springs, Colo., 1942-1943; president of Snow College, 1953-1956; director of agriculture, Mesa College (Grand Junction, Colo.); director of public relations and dean of general college, Brigham Young University, 1956-1972; chairman of Indian Education Department, 1972-1973; member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; president of the Mexico City and Guadalajara missions; regional representative for El Salvador, Spain, and Portugal; d. Dec. 3, 1988 in Walnut Creek, Calif.)
Found in 34 Collections and/or Records:
Public Relations Division records on public relations, 1952-1960
Contains administrative files, including correspondence, programs and brochures, bulletins, and other material.
Public Relations Division records on recruiting, 1952-1961
Contains administrative files, including correspondence, clippings, requests, program descriptions, reports, brochures, and other materials.
Public Relations Division records on relations with Church organizations, 1955-1962
Contains correspondence and other papers related to Bishop and Stake President's Day, Church directories, publications, institutes, Hugh Nibley, missions, seminaries, stakes, and associated topics.
Public Relations Division records on relations with civic organizations, 1957-1961
Contains correspondence, papers on the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, budgets, financial records, clippings, and other materials.
Public Relations Division records on Speakers Bureau, 1955-1962
Correspondence, lists, reports, and Stake Conference papers.
Public Relations Division records on staff, 1955-1961
Contains administrative files, including correspondence, clippings, statistics and data sheets, and other materials on specific individuals, as well as on prospective staff.
Public Relations Division records on student activities, 1956-1961
Contains administrative files for homecoming, Y Day, and other activities. Includes correspondence, calendars, project files, brochures, conference papers, proposals schedules, minutes, and other materials.
Public Relations Division records on university and professional relations, 1956-1961
Contains correspondence, brochures, and miscellany of the University of Utah, Utah State University, Carbon College, Colorado State University, the Church College of Hawaii, Dixie College, Phoenix Junior College, Ricks College, Snow College, and Weber College.
Public Relations Division records on university booking, 1954-1960
Contains correspondence, touring files, and rejections related to booking university activities.
Public Relations Division records on university departments and divisions, 1954-1961
Contains administrative files, including correspondence, catalogs, minutes, reports, and other materials.