James R. Taylor, Rocky Mountain College honors you today for your dedicated service to the Rocky family, a calling that spanned over thirty years. In your many roles, you exemplified the Rocky Difference.

Born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, you earned bachelors and masters degrees in Psychology from Marshall College, where you taught Psychology for three years. Later, after working as a clinical psychologist in Iowa, you obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School, serving as a pastor while you were in seminary and later at the Summit Avenue Baptist Church in Jersey City, New Jersey.

In 1961 you came to Rocky as the Director of Guidance and Assistant Professor of Psychology. Before retiring in 1994, you had served as professor, Dean, Dean of Admissions, Academic Dean and Registrar, often filling as many as three positions at a time. In 1964, you became Associate Professor of Psychology and answered President Widenhouses call to serve concurrently as Registrar. Still responding to the colleges needs, you added the position of Associate Dean to your duties in 1966, then served as Dean of Admissions from 1967 until 1972. Still performing your duties as professor and Registrar, you became Academic Dean in 1972, serving in that position until 1977. For the next eleven years, you directed the Summer Session while teaching and remaining Registrar.

Throughout this illustrious and busy career at Rocky Mountain College, you served your church and your community. Your work as an interim pastor, as a member of the Montana Association of Churches Board, on the General Board of the American Baptist Churches, and as President of the Big Sky Area of the American Baptist Churches attest the calling of your faith. You also gave generously of your time to the Billings School Board, Treasurer and Chair of the Yellowstone County Democratic Committee, and you represented the college in the Billings Studio Theater, both as a volunteer and on the stage.

James R. Taylor, for your long and distinguished record of service to the Rocky Mountain College and your community, we honor you today with the Degree Doctor of Public Service. Mr. President, I recommend you award the degree honoris causa to James R. Taylor

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