Hillam, Ray C.

Political science professor at Brigham Young University beginning in 1960, where he cofounded the International Relations Program, the Washington Seminar, and the China Teachers Program.

Ray C. Hillam (b. 1928) was a professor of political science at Brigham Young University.

Dr. Hillam was a professor of political science at Brigham Young University.

Hillam taught political science classes at Brigham Young University.

Ray C. Hillam (1928-2009) was an American intelligence analyst and political science professor.

Ray Cole Hillam was born in July 25, 1928 in Carlin, Nevada to James and Mabel (formerly Cole) Hillam. He served a mission to Sweden from November 1948 to July 1951. He served in army during the Korean War from May 1952 to April 1954 as a Psychological War research assistant, after which he met and married Carolyn Sanders. They had six children. Hillam received his bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in 1955, his master's from George Washington University in 1958, and his Ph.D. in international relations from American University in 1964. He was a Chinese foreign documents analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) before becoming a political science faculty member at Brigham Young University (BYU). During his time at BYU, Hillman was a Fulbright scholar to Vietnam (1966-1967), Taiwan (1973-1974), and China (1992-1993). He was chair of the political science department for nine years, director of five study abroad programs, and director of the Kennedy Center for International Studies from 1985 to 1991. Having retired in 1993, he received the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Teaching Award, the Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Award, the Virginia F. Cutler Faculty Lecture Award, and the Karl G. Maeser Citizenship award. Hillam passed away on August 10, 2009 in Provo, Utah.

Ray C. Hillam, professor of political science at Brigham Young University.

Ray Cole Hillam was born on 25 July 1928 to James Ralph Hillam and Mabel Cole in Carlin, Nevada. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Utah in 1955, his M.A. in Political Science from George Washington University in 1958, and his Ph.D. in International Relations from American University in 1964. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. During his time in the military he served as a research assistant for the psychological warfare unit of the United Nations Military Command in Tokyo, Japan from 1953-1954 and also as a Swedish interpreter for the US Army in Korea in 1953.

From 1955-1958 he served as a Swedish and Chinese intelligence analyst for the US Government. He then served as an administrative assistant for the Chief of the US Park Police of the National Park Service in Washington D.C. from 1958-1959. He then began his career as a professor for the Department of Political Science at Brigham Young University in 1960. While a professor he also served as a consultant for the Unconventional Warfare group of the US Navy from 1961-1963; as coordinator of the International Relations Program at Brigham Young University, 1963-1966, 1967-1968, 1981-1985; then as director of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies starting in 1985; as well as serving as a lecturer or director on several programs (including the Washington Seminar and abroad programs in East Asia, London, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, and others).

His awards include the Fulbright Hays Award to Vietnam, Taiwan, and China; Vietnamese Medal of Honor, First Class; U.S. Patriotic Civilian Service Award; Karl G. Maesar’s Distinguished Teaching Award; Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Award; Virginia F. Culter Faculty Lecturer; as well as many others.

He is married to Carolyn Sanders and they have six children.