Author, Former Linfield Professor Dr. John Day Named PriceCatcher.com Person of the Year

Dr John Day, Linfield College Professor Emeritus of Physics, has been named the PriceCatcher.com Person of the Year for 2007.

(MCMINNVILLE, Ore.) - Dr. John Day retired at the age of 91 after teaching for almost 50 years at Linfield College. He is a meteorologist, author, and national authority on weather. He is best known locally for 29 years of writing the News-Register column "Words on the Weather." Day taught at Oregon State University and at the University of the Redlands before coming to McMinnville to teach at Linfield.

"Dr. John Day is more than an author or college professor, he's McMinnville's own national treasure" said PriceCatcher.com Founder & CEO Ruben Contreras, Jr., in announcing this year's honor.

"His authoritative published books on the weather just begin to show the gravitas of his work. 40 years at Linfield means he has touched generations of students and has brought to Linfield College national acclaim. Dr. Day embodies the concept of 'Town and Gown,' " Contreras said. Day has been married to his wife, Mary Hyatt Day, for 70 years.

"I am so pleased to announce Dr. John Day as the PriceCatcher.com Person of the Year. Dr. Day is more than simply a great professor he IS "Linfield" for many people while at the same time being just as much "McMinnville" for so many others. Not every college town can boast of the kind of relationship that Linfield and McMinnville have, and no one embodies this connection more than Dr. John Day.

For 50 years he has been a strength to both communities. His years of community involvement and academic excellence over such a long period of our local history speak so well of what he has accomplished," said Contreras.

Dr. John Day is the kind of individual that has taken his talents and put them back into the community through service and giving and involvement. He did not limit his teaching to the college or the local community, but has written books and even collaborated with the Weather Channel to produce the "Skywatcher's Cloud Chart."

In addition, John Day lead the college in expanding its reach to non-traditional students through its off-campus continuing education program. Day served as Linfield's first Continuing Education director. His photography work lead to having one of his cumulus humilis cloud photos chosen to appear on a United States postage stamp.

"Honoring Dr. John Day is a small tribute to a man who has accomplished so much and touched so many. He has given back to his community while becoming a national figure. We couldn't be more proud of his accomplishments and his example!" Contreras said.

PriceCatcher.com is a Yamhill County community web directory and search engine based in McMinnville, Oregon. The Person of the Year honor is given out each January and honors a community member or newsmaker who has made a positive difference in the community.