Wayne B. Hales

Who was Wayne B. Hales?

Wayne Brockbank Hales was an American Educator and president of Snow College from 1921–1924.

Hales was born in Spanish Fork, Utah. Hales was the son of Jonathan Hyrum Hales and Martha Ann Brockbank. As a youth Hales worked with his father in the Tintic Mines. He earned a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University in 1916. He had lettered in both track and basketball while at BYU. Hales was the scoutmaster of the first troop in Provo and was given the Silver Beaver in 1942 for his commitment to scouting.

After graduating from BYU Hales taught at Ricks College from 1916–1921. He served as president of Snow College from 1921–1924. When Hales went to Snow its name was Snow Academy, and its name was changed to Snow Junior College in 1922. He was also the first leader of the institution to hold the title of president. Over the years he pursued advanced degrees at the University of Chicago and the University of Utah. He focused full-time on studies from 1924–1926 at the California Institute of Technology culminating in a Ph.D. Among those who Hales studied under were Albert A. Michelson and Robert A. Millikan.