Dr. Barbara Hillman West

Dr. Barbara Hillman West

Professor and P.E. Pioneer

PHS Class of 1941

Barbara Hillman graduated from Payson High School in May 1941. During her PHS years, she served as school secretary and a member of the Pep Club, Home Economics Club, and Drama Club. She enrolled at the University of Utah the same year that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. During her four years at the “U,” she participated in a wide variety of activities, culminating with her service as president of the Women’s Recreation Association, which sponsored sports competitions for college women. She married Usher West in May of 1944 and had four children: Rebecca, Gregory, Nathan, and Patricia. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1945 with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Health Education. She then earned two additional degrees from the “U,” a Master of Science degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Recreation, and a Doctor of Education degree with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Educational Administration.

In 1952 Barbara accepted a University of Utah teaching position as an instructor in the Physical Education Department. Thirty-six years later she retired as a full professor. She trained generations of physical education teachers across Utah and served on student committees for masters and doctoral students from across the globe, including those from Kenya, Iran, Germany, and South Africa. She served as Department Chairperson for 12 years. In addition, Dr. West served on the Utah Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and the Utah State Public School Curriculum Committee where she helped develop and write Every Child A Winner Healthy Lifetime Curriculum for all K-6 students in Utah.

Dr. West was a member and leader in the Utah Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance and also the Southwest Association for Health, Physical Education and Dance. She served as president of both associations and was given an honor award by each.

Today the University of Utah awards an annual scholarship in her honor, The Barbara Hillman West Scholarship, to deserving students of health and P.E. who demonstrate academic excellence and a desire to serve their communities.

Inducted 1988