Hall adjusts to Logan living, fosters relationships
Moving to a new place is never easy.
Add a dose of instant public attention, throw in responsibilities that come with being married to a university president and you can see what Phyllis Hall continues to adjust to since she and her husband, President Kermit L. Hall, moved to Logan earlier this year.
Hall makes it all seem insignificant as she focuses on personal relationships and makes those around her comfortable with her warm smile and gentle demeanor.
“We feel we’ve already formed many friendships,” Hall said. Although they have lived in several locations across the country including Ohio, North Carolina and Minnesota, she feels there is an unusual closeness in Cache Valley because of its size.
“Cache Valley is probably one of the most unique areas I’ve seen because it is defined by its geography … I’m very pleased by the warmth and welcome we have received,” Hall said.
She said she is also impressed that, in spite of its size, Logan has utilized volunteer efforts to produce results such as the Stokes Nature Center in Logan Canyon and the Ellen Eccles Theatre, downtown Logan.
The first thought Hall had when she discovered they were moving to Utah was a recollection of their trip to Utah nearly 20 years earlier when President Hall used the family history resources in Salt Lake for research.
“We loved Salt Lake … We were enraptured by the mountains,” she said.
Now she has had the opportunity to explore other parts of Utah and develop personal relationships with the Benchmark Tour she and President Hall are undertaking this year.
To become better acquainted with other areas of Utah and give Utah State University additional recognition, Hall has currently visited 16 of the 29 counties in Utah along with her husband. She said they have been “awed by the scenic beauty” of areas such as Flaming Gorge and Cedar Breaks in Southern Utah, and enjoyed the variety of scenery that can be viewed within an hour’s drive.
Aside from learning about land and water-use issues across the state and increasing awareness of USU, the Halls have fun on their trips.
President Hall milks a cow in every county and Hall reads a few books about cows to children in either one elementary school classroom or one public library in each county. Hall taught in elementary classrooms for more than 20 years and was also a library media specialist.
“I really love teaching. I want to stay involved,” she said, and the opportunity to interact with children again was “just plain fun.”
What does a woman as involved in a university as Phyllis Hall do in her free time?
“The thing I feel most passionate about is education,” she said. Hall has previously volunteered at local Ellis Elementary. After she and President Hall finish touring counties in Utah and move into their new home sometime late next month, she wants to find an organization or school to volunteer at where she can support the cause of education.
Hall also hopes to use their new house as a facility where “all segments of the university can gather to be entertained and educated … where we can celebrate lots of different things with the university community.”
She wants to showcase performing arts students’ talents and provide dinners for selected campus groups.
For now, Hall is busy touring the counties of Utah, reading in classrooms across the state and anticipating an upcoming residential move. But at any given time she will share her warm smile, listen in her inviting way and be sure to put personal relationships first.