At a time when education, political, and community leaders throughout the state and the nation are looking for new and innovative ways to prepare the workforce of the future, Dr. Maughan has been instrumental in creating a technology college that is many years ahead of its time. BATC, under his direction, has provided open-entry/open-exit, competency based, individualized, skills training for employment, with credit for prior learning, and ‘stackable’ and ‘latticed’ credentials for more than 40 years. Dr. Maughan has created and managed a college that provides education and training to adult certificate-seeking students, short-term, occupational upgrade students, and training at no cost for high school students and low cost for adult students. Along with using his many talents to build and operate his own ATC, he deserves much of the credit for the ATC facilities and programs in the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) system, and throughout the State of Utah.
The professional faculty and staff employed at BATC by Dr. Maughan are fully committed and prepared to ensure each student is afforded the best opportunity to achieve the highest skill levels possible for success in their chosen training area. Dr. Maughan’s “Employment through Training” philosophy has proven effective over the decades with consistent completion, placement, and licensure rates that lead the state and the nation.
One of the major contributors to the success of BATC has been the close working relationship Dr. Maughan has maintained over the years with the local business and industry leaders. Program-specific input from more than 350 advisory committee members has allowed BATC to develop and deliver industry-specific curriculum and credentials. This relationship, coupled with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, has resulted in BATC being recognized as one of the leading campuses in the UCAT system.
Dr. Maughan would like to acknowledge and thank the many local and state political leaders who have caught his vision and supported BATC. Special thanks to Senator Lyle W. Hillyard, who Dr. Maughan describes as a “true statesman.” Early in the careers of both Dr. Maughan and Senator Hillyard, Senator Hillyard offered to meet with Dr. Maughan any morning before work, and he has always honored that commitment. Additionally, Dr. Maughan would like to thank his good friend and colleague, Senator Peter C. Knudson, whose help was instrumental in obtaining funding to purchase the Bourns building, on behalf of BATC, for ‘pennies-on-the-dollar’ and savings to the state. Special thanks also go to Representative R. Curt Webb, who served as an outstanding member on BATC’s Campus Board of Directors, before being elected to the State House of Representatives. Representative Webb has always supported BATC and the Custom Fit Training Program along with being vigilant for BATC on Facility and Land Bank requests. Recognition of the service and support from Representative Jack R. Draxler is also deserved. Representative Draxler, among his many other duties, serves on the Higher Education Appropriations Committee where he has always been a friend of Dr. Maughan and an advocate for all of Higher Education, including and especially, BATC. Representatives Edward H. Redd and Lee B. Perry are also advocates, supporters, and friends of Dr. Maughan and BATC.
Dr. Maughan is known statewide for the excellent working relationship and cooperation he has established with the area school districts, their boards, superintendents, and CTE (Career and Technical Education) directors. These relationships include Superintendent Dr. Marshal Garrett and CTE Director David Long at the Logan School District, Superintendent Steven C. Norton and CTE Director Mike Liechty at the Cache County School District, Superintendent Dr. Ron Tolman and CTE Director Darrell Eddington at the Box Elder County School District, and Superintendent Dale H. Lamborn and CTE Director Rick Larsen at the Rich County School District.
He has taken great pleasure in his working relationship with the Administration of Utah State University (USU) including and especially, with USU President Stan A. Albrecht, Provost Noelle Cockett, and CTE Director Bruce Miller to ensure cooperation among all of the education delivery systems in the region. As a result of this association, there is a seamless pathway for secondary students enrolled in career and technical education courses and programs from the high school, to BATC, and on to additional higher learning at USU.
Dr. Maughan graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Audiology and Speech Pathology and a Master’s Degree in Health Science. He completed his PhD at Oregon State University in Public Health-Occupational Health and Industrial Safety. Following the completion of his PhD, Dr. Maughan became an associate professor at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.
Dr. Maughan became the Director of the Bridgerland Area Vocational Center in 1975. During his 40 year tenure at BATC, his position title, as well as the institution name, changed. In July 1990, he was Superintendent of the Bridgerland Applied Technology Center, and in September 2001 he became President of the now Bridgerland Applied Technology College (BATC).
Under his direction and management, Dr. Maughan was successful in acquiring the former Wurlitzer piano manufacturing plant (over 200,000 square feet and 53 acres of land). Through a series of six phases of construction funded by the Utah State Legislature, he transformed the building into BATC’s state-of-the-art Main Campus building. In addition, he was successful in acquiring the former Bourns manufacturing facility, (approximately 90,000 square feet of facility and 10 acres of ground). Both facilities were acquired for ‘pennies-on-the-dollar’ and savings to taxpayers.
Dr. Maughan was recognized for his many accomplishments and was the first Utahn to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Vocational Technical Education in Washington, D.C., where he was cited for “a high level of leadership, vision, and achievement in vocational education, evidenced by national, regional, and state impact in innovative leadership.” Other awards and recognitions include: Superintendent of the Year − Utah State Board of Education, Small Business Advocate of the Year − Cache Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Service Award − Utah Vocational Association, and the Citizen Award, Honorary Policeman − Logan City Police Department.
Along with his educational accomplishments, Dr. Maughan also proudly served his country in both the Utah National Guard and the U.S. Naval Reserve. During the Gulf War (Deseret Storm) he served as executive officer to the 144th Combat Support Hospital, U.S. Army, where he was decorated with the Bronze Star. He became the Commander of Troop Command from 1992 to 1998 where he retired at the rank of Colonel. Many of his friends and colleagues, including legislators, still refer to him as ‘The Colonel.’
Through all these respected achievements, Dr. Maughan has managed to deeply cultivate a pervasive and ongoing belief among his faculty, staff, and students that they truly are “family” – with all that that term means.
All of these many accomplishments were achieved with the full support and encouragement of his gracious wife, Ruth P. Maughan. Ruth served the community of Wellsville as a member of the city council for six years and then as the honorable mayor for more than twenty years before retiring several years ago. She is currently serving as the chair of the Wellsville City planning and zoning commission. Dr. Maughan and Ruth reside in Wellsville, Utah. They are the parents of Jaceson, Jen, and Kandice, and the grandparents of seven wonderful grandchildren.
Click to read the Herald Journal article, "BATC President to Retire after 40 Years at the Helm".