Building the acoustics program at Brigham Young University

The history of acoustics at Brigham Young University dates well back into the first half of the twentieth century. Nonetheless, at the end of the twentieth century the program was on the verge of dying off. The author was hired in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at that time, in the hopes of revitalizing the acoustics program. Various steps were taken at opportune times to continuously rebuild the program to where it has become well known again – both nationally and internationally. The acoustics program is characterized by both a very strong undergraduate program in acoustics, as well as a thriving graduate program that has produced over 70 graduate theses and dissertations and even more undergraduate theses and capstone papers. This presentation will overview the growth and development of the acoustics program since 1995, highlighting lessons learned that may be useful for others looking to develop or strengthen their programs.