Albrecht has a love for Valley and all things ‘Aggie’
Almost every USU student knows who President Stan Albrecht is. Some students may have seen him getting his hair cut at the Aggie Barber Shop while others may have spoken briefly with him in the library or in passing on Quad.
Students may understand that being the president of the university is a demanding, stressful occupation, but what they may not understand is just how much of Albrecht’s total week is spent thinking and breathing USU.
Albrecht said, as president of a university, there is never a dull moment. Though every day throws him different projects to tackle, each day is busy and full, he said.
Albrecht said his days usually begin with breakfast with community members or students, followed by a range of tasks that include administrative planning meetings, meetings with donors and dealing with student and faculty issues. In the evening, he usually entertains guests and dignitaries visiting the school or the community.
Because students don’t often see Albrecht, they may feel disconnected to him, but Albrecht said he feels as much of an Aggie as every USU student. His favorite Aggie Ice Cream flavor is cookies and cream, though he has developed a recent love for the newest flavor – Sunshine and Chocolate, created to celebrate the opening of the new Agricultural Sciences Building.
When on campus, Albrecht said his favorite part of the Aggie experience is attending basketball games in the Spectrum.
“Athletics isn’t the most important room in the house, but it’s the window through which many see what we’re doing,” he said. “You see the commitment and enthusiasm of the university through the basketball fans.”
Albrecht’s career began as a sociology professor at USU after completing an undergraduate degree at BYU and master’s and doctorate degrees at Washington State University.
After a few years on the faculty, he left Logan for 25 years – during which time served as a academic vice president and associate provost at BYU. Before being appointed dean at USU, he also spent six years as an administrator and professor at the University of Florida.
“We left Florida and came to Logan in January,” Albrecht said. “There were a few bitterly cold days that I asked myself if we made the right decision.”
Since that cold winter in 2005, Albrecht said he has never looked back. He said he is confident that he made the right choice in coming back to serve as president of USU, and the beautiful landscape of the valley never fails to amaze him.
“I never come through Sardine Canyon without saying ‘Wow,'” he said. “The beauty of the valley is really remarkable. Whenever we entertain guests, they say how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place. Sometimes we forget to appreciate it because we’re used to it.”
Aside from the landscape, Albrecht said his favorite part of living in Logan is working for what he calls a “world-class” university.
“Sometimes our students don’t understand how good the place is,” he said. “To have an institution of this quality, sitting where it is, is really remarkable.”
As president, Albrecht said he focuses on “elevating Utah State from an already great university to an even better one.”
He is working hard to maintain communication with students, which he said is the best part of his job.
“I love going for a walk across the Quad or through the student center and seeing the students,” he said.
Albrecht said he has an interest in hearing the voice of every student and holds weekly office hours when students can meet with him and bring any kind of question or concern to him.
“I thought I would hear stories about classes they couldn’t get into or roommate problems,” he said. “It’s never been that. The students really want to talk about life and careers and where to get where they want to be.”
Albrecht said he also meets with international students on campus, learning about their cultures and how they add to the USU community.
He spends a substantial amount of time traveling, including three days a week spent in Salt Lake City, when the Legislature is in session. He works at the Capitol each year to increase Utah politicans’ commitment to higher education. He also works closely with USU donors, as well as Utah senators and representatives in Washington, D.C.
And is he a true Aggie?
“Of course,” he said. “Though that goes back long before I was ever president.”
– m.van911@aggiemail.usu.edu