Biographical Statement

Enock C. Dyrness grew up in a pastor's home and was born to Christian T. and Hilda Erickson Dyrness on September 23, 1902. He earned his A.B. at Wheaton College in 1923, and his M.A. in educational administration from University of Chicago in 1924. That same year he married Grace Williams and together they had three children: Virginia, C. Theodore and William Arthur. He was honored with an honorary doctor of laws degree from Houghton (NY) College in 1945. Dyrness died January 15, 1986.

He taught as assistant professor of education and was principal of the Academy, acting as dean of Wheaton Academy from 1924- 1927. While at Wheaton College he held positions of associate professor of education, vice-president in academic administration, assistant dean of men, director of summer school, director of admissions, registrar, and (1928-1969) and professor of education.

Dyrness was a nationally known leader in professional and religious organizations and was listed in "Who's Who in America" from 1946-69. He served as treasurer of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers from 1934 to 1944 and later as vice president for professional activities and as associate editor of their journal. He was president of the National Association of Christian Schools (1958). Dyrness also served as a Chief Examiner for the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges. Dyrness served as the president of the North Central Conference on Summers Sessions from 1949 to 1951. He was also a member of National Association of Evangelicals, Wheaton College Scholastic Honor Society, National Education Association, American Conference of Academic Deans, and the American Association for Higher Education. In 1931, then president of Wheaton College, J. Oliver Buswell noted that Dyrness had done more than any other member of the staff to raise the standards and to secure scholastic recognition for Wheaton College.

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