Richard J. Cummings association with the University of Utah spanned over forty years as a student and faculty member. After receiving his B. A. (1952) and M. A. (1953) from the University of Utah, he earned his Ph. D. from Stanford in 1963. He began his teaching career at Utah as an instructor in the Department of Languages in 1957. He was promoted to Professor in 1975.
Perhaps his most notable contribution to the University community was as Director of the Honors Program. He served in that capacity from 1970 to 1995, with Utah being recognized as having one of the oldest (third) and best Honors Programs in the nation. As director, Cummings had a unique opportunity to function within the University across departmental and college boundaries. He relied on this knowledge to attract and recruit faculty members to create classes and teach in the Honors Program. He also served on departmental review committees and search committees for department chairs and deans, some of which are included in this collection. He was involved in the origination, planning and maintenance of overseas study trips for University of Utah students around the world.
In addition to the Honors Program, Cummings was a professor in the Department of Languages as well as an adjunct faculty member in the Theatre Department. He also became involved in regional and national organizations such as The Association for Mormon Letters, Phi Kappa Phi, Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association and the National Collegiate Honors Council. He served as national Vice-President of N. C. H. C. in 1985-1986 and President in 1987.
From the guide to the Richard J. Cummings papers, 1965-1995, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)
