Richard Osguthorpe

In many ways, Richard Osguthorpe grew up in the McKay School, and education is practically a family business. His mother, Lolly, taught in Provo-area schools for many years, and his father, Russell, was a distinguished McKay School professor prior to his retirement in 2013. Osguthorpe himself worked as a French teacher following his own graduation from BYU, but even as an undergraduate, he was drawn to the research side of education and what he calls “the joy of seeking.” He received master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan, then spent nearly 15 years at Boise State University, preparing teachers and exploring (among other topics) his major research interest, the moral work of education. He eventually served as dean of BSU’s College of Education. Osguthorpe brought that leadership, influence, and perspective to the McKay School in 2019, continuing his research, teaching an influential undergraduate education class, and indulging his bone-deep devotion to BYU sports. He misses his regular access to rafting Idaho’s Payette River but continues to seek time on flowing water wherever he finds it. He and his wife, Gwen, also a BYU graduate, have four children.