Ray O. Wyland

Ray Orion Wyland (April 15, 1890 – October 26, 1969) was the national director of education and national director of the Division of Relationships for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). He was a founding advisor to Alpha Phi Omega.

Early life and career Wyland was born in Jewell County, Kansas. He moved to Ringwood, Oklahoma, in 1902. In 1908 and 1909, he attended the high school in Greenville, Texas, later moving to Danville, Illinois, where he graduated from high school in 1911. Four years later, he graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with a degree of A.B. and honors in psychology. He then attended the Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and received his B.D. degree in 1918. Taking postgraduate courses, he received his M.A. degree in 1929 and his Ph.D. in 1934 from Columbia University.

In 1937, J. S. Wilson met Gunnar Berg and Wyland at Balboa, Panama, on his way to Bogotá, for a conference about mixed-race scouts in the Panama Canal Zone, who claimed British and not Panamanian nationality. It was agreed that they should be taken under the wing of the Canal Zone Council of the Boy Scouts of America but, in 1947, they were transferred directly under the International Bureau as the International Boy Scouts of the Canal Zone.

Other positions Wyland was a trustee of the Washington Square Methodist Church in New York City, president of the New York Rotary Club, president of the Strathmore Association of Westchester County, gave leadership in Red Cross, United Service Organizations and Community Chest campaigns and was a captain in the Auxiliary Police in World War II.

Alpha Phi Omega Wyland was a charter member of Alpha chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, having been scout advisor from the inception of the fraternity. He played a large role in the development of the operating policies, constitution and bylaws of Alpha Phi Omega and devising the fourfold program of service for Alpha Phi Omega. His attendance at all of the national conventions until at least 1951 helped with this endeavor.

In 1930, when application was made for approval of Alpha Phi Omega by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Wyland worked hand in hand with Dr. H. Roe Bartle in presenting the facts which brought about a favorable decision and gave Alpha Phi Omega the official sanction of the Scouting Movement.

Alpha Phi Omega honored him by dedicating the 1951 Fall Pledge class to him and awarding him the National Distinguished Service Award in 1956. He represented the national fraternity at the chartering of a large number of chapters in the northeast in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a signatory of the Alpha Phi Omega articles of incorporation in 1968.

Personal life Wyland died on October 26, 1969 in Los Angeles, California.