The Latin American Studies coordinator for BYU's David M. Kennedy Center was installed as Honorary Consul of Chile in Utah on Wednesday, having met the approval of both the U.S. and the Chilean government.

At a ceremony in the governor's boardroom in the State Capitol, Professor Ted Lyon was inducted with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. as well as several business and cultural leaders in the Chilean community in attendance .

"This is a great honor for Professor Lyon," said Michael Mower, spokesperson for Gov. Huntsman. "We are pleased that he is willing to share his time and talents on behalf of Chileans living in Utah, as well as Utahans who have interest in the Chilean economy."

As Honorary Consul, Lyon is responsible for serving the needs of the roughly 2,000 Chileans in Utah. He will promote business activities between the United States and Chile and assist Chileans with U.S. legal matters.

The Chilean government also granted Lyon the ability to approve visas for U.S. citizens and passport renewals for Chilean citizens, an honor rarely given to non-native dignitaries.

The position offers no salary.

"The most challenging thing will be finding time to solve all the problems and do all the work," Lyon said. "I am still a full-time BYU professor, a branch president at the MTC and a grandfather. All of these things take considerable time."

But fulfilling this position will also be worthwhile for Lyon.

"The most rewarding part will be working with the wonderful Chilean people," he said. "I love them."

The selection process that led to Lyon's appointment began last year.

After a visit to BYU, Fernando Urrutia, second in command of Chilean affairs under the Chilean ambassador, was impressed with the university.

Urrutia, whose official title is Consul General of Chile, asked the church travel department for the names of possible consul candidates. The church travel department in turn asked Elder Jeffery R. Holland for recommendations because of his past service in Chile.

Having tutored Elder Holland in Spanish a few years earlier, Lyon was suggested as a candidate.

Six names were submitted to the Consul General and Chilean Ambassador. In the end, Lyon was selected.

This decision came as a surprise to Lyon.

"A position like this is usually given to a Chilean native," he said.

Many years of experience with the Chilean people and culture prepared Lyon to accept this position.

Lyon studied at the Catholic University of Chile in the '60s, returning later to serve as mission president of the Chile Osorno Mission and then as president of the Missionary Training Center in Santiago, according to the BYU news release.

Lyon and his wife have permanent resident status in Chile.

Lyon did not wait for his official installment to begin fulfilling his responsibilities. He is currently assisting Utah police in the search for a Chilean young man who was attending Salt Lake Community College and pronounced missing in late April.

Lyon will be able to perform many of his duties from Provo. He expects to hold this position for five years.
Copyright Brigham Young University 2 Aug 2006