USU Welcomes the Albrechts
Newly appointed university President Stan Albrecht greeted students, faculty and members of the community Friday afternoon at a special reception held in his honor.
The reception, held in the Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge, was a casual welcome party for the new president, Maren Cartwright, public relations specialist, said. Every president has some sort of inaugural festivity, Cartwright said, but Albrecht isn’t sure what he wants to do yet, and in the meantime wanted to give everyone the chance to meet him face-to-face and say hello.
Albrecht and his wife, Joyce, stood and greeted hundreds of people including students, faculty, staff, members of the Board of Trustees, members of the community and local government leaders.
“It’s really great to be here with all these wonderful people,” Stan Albrecht said.
The reception, full of people, refreshments and guitar music played by music professor Mike Christiansen, gave eager students the opportunity to meet their new president.
Roger Packham, a senior majoring in engineering, said he was never able to officially meet former USU President, Kermit L. Hall, and was in turn very excited to meet Albrecht.
“He was very kind,” Packham said. “I have confidence that he’ll do very well.”
Shaun Kjar, a transfer student from Snow College and a junior majoring in international studies, said he had the opportunity to meet and get to know two university presidents at Snow and was grateful for the chance to meet Albrecht.
“Now I wouldn’t be afraid to approach him on campus,” Kjar said, “and the food was great too.”
“He’s very student oriented,” said Casey Bullock, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies. “The first thing he wanted to do was meet with the students because he understands that students make the university.”
USU faculty and staff also showed their support by attending the reception and chatting with the new president.
“It’s a great thing to be here to honor him [Albrecht],” Wayne White facilities staff member said. “He is very deserving and we need to show our honor and respect.
“I am very supportive of this appointment,” Senior Assistant Athletic Director Mary Ellen Cloninger said. “I was excited when I heard the announcement because I had good experiences with Stan as provost and look forward to working with him as president.
Some members of the Associated Students of USU Executive Council showed their support for the new president by arriving together.
“We’re so excited and know he’ll do a great job at USU,” ASUSU Graduate Studies Vice President A.J. Rounds said. “As ASUSU we whole-heartedly support him.
-hilaryi@cc.usu.edu