T. H. Humphreys, 1909 (from the ACU Graduate, 1909, page 107)

Irrigation and the engineering of waterworks continued as important curricular and research components. Many early USU students served influential positions following graduation. T. H. Humphreys (1987), for instance, embarked on a career after graduation with the newly created U.S. Reclamation Service in 1903.

Born in 1874, Humphreys received his early schooling in the pioneer Bear Lake settlement of Paris, Idaho. He entered the Preparatory Department at the Utah Agricultural College in 1892, and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1897. Humphreys characterized his college career as consisting “chiefly of hard work.” 

His mentor, Professor Samuel Fortier (1893–1898), perhaps influenced Humphreys to seek employment with the Reclamation Service. Humphreys advanced rapidly through the ranks, being appointed as project engineer on the Klamath and Orland projects, two of the Reclamation Service’s earliest water development projects. Only recurrent health problems impeded his further progress with the Reclamation Service. 

Returning to Logan, Humphreys accepted consulting work for the West Cache Canal Company and was twice elected as county engineer. During the 1920s, he designed and supervised the construction of the Logan-Cache Airport.

During the 1930s drought and depression, Humphreys served as the Utah state engineer, where he administered drought relief provided through the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. He also continued his association with the Reclamation Service (now the Bureau of Reclamation) by participating in cooperative water projects throughout Utah. In 1938, Humphreys initiated discussions among the upper Colorado River Basin states to begin planning the development of this interstate water resource.

Humphries returned to federal service as director of the Public Works Reserve in 1944 before retiring to Logan.