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She Gave . . . und Served

Click to see original imageUsually college buildings are named for founders, presidents, actual donors of large sums of money, or someone who otherwise has achieved special distinction or prominence. But a proposed multi – million dollar building complex on the Brigham Young University Carripus will be named for a humble tah woman whose selfless efforts in behalf of others were little known during her lifetime beyond the boundaries of the small comminity in which she lived. The complex, which will house the BYU Division of Continuing Education, will bear the name of Caroline Hemenway Harman (1873-1940) who lived most of her life in Granger where she helped operate a farm (including a chicken business), served 18 years as a Relief Society president, and struggled to rear a large” family. Why was she chosen for this honor to her memory? The ‘Y’ building complex is being funded by donations from California businessman Leon Weston (Pete) Harman, co-founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, and other members of the Hamran family. They desired the honor go to her. Mr. Harman is a nephew of “Aunt Carrie,” as Caroline I-lemenway Harman was known. His own mother, a sister to Mrs. Harman, died a few hours after he was born. Aunt Carrie reared him and eight other nieces and nephews as well as her own family of seven children. She was thrice widowed and patiently endured difficult health problems of her own. Her qualities of altruism and generosity are reflected in the attitude of the Harmans who insisted the honor go to Aunt Carrie, though naming of the building might have been expected to go to the chief donor. Pete Harmon said of her, at the armouncement luncheon on the BYU Campus the other day: “Her life was symbolic of many great women who are unknown and unsung but who rise to every occasional necessary. She did more for others than anyone l know… Such women need no memorial, but for our own sakes, we must remember them.” The rapidly – growing Division of Continuing Education at BYU functions world-wide, you might say, with some 350,000 enrollments each year in its various programs. ‘ ‘ President Dallin H. Oaks of BYU joined in paying tribute to Aunt Carrie and the Harmans and said the new building will fill a long-felt need. The complex will be located north of the Deseret Towers on Ninth East. Planning is in the preliminary stages. Construction could begin next spring, with completion in 1981. The gift by the Harmans and the good-will and generosity shown in the project are heart-warming another fine contribution to the enrichment and forward march of the Provo university.