Adminstrators leave USU for other schools
Two key members of Utah State University’s administration have left USU this fall for other positions across the country, both citing personal and professional reasons for the change.
Barbara White, Utah State University’s vice president for Information Technnology, has left USU for a similar position at the University of Georgia, and Randy Talbot, former vice president for university advancement, has already begun his position as head of the University of Florida’s alumni association.
“Part of the move is personal,” White said. “I was recently married and it’s a chance to build a life together.”
White also said her new position will be a fitting capstone for her career.
During White’s nearly six years as chief information officer, she has helped to begin implementation of the Banner system, upgrade fiber connectivity and provide more wireless access across campus.
Among her accomplishments she counts her “Faculty Service Award” as her favorite.
“I will miss the comradery on campus. I love the students and feel like I have a great repor with them,” White said. “I can walk across campus and hear a student say, ‘Hey Barb!’ and it’s so neat.”
White said the work on the Banner system, a four-piece project expected to be completely finished in three years, will continue as scheduled in her absence.
“As of now there have been some problems with students being booted off or not having 24/7 access,” she said, referring to the Quad and other student information systems.
The Banner project, which will replace the old Legacy system USU is currently using, aims to offer faster connectivity and around the clock access to students, making business run more effectively, White said.
“The student body has given us $1.4 million for the new system,” she said. “The students have been the driving force behind this. And, President Hall as well. He has been a real champion. We are very fortunate that way.”
White said the student piece of the Banner project is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Leaving USU is difficult, White said, because Cache Valley has become home and she is leaving behind many wonderful colleagues.
“I have had a phenomenal group of people to work with. They have positioned me to take this next step,” she said.
White says her new position is one she looks forward to because she plans to take what she has learned at USU to Georgia, especially the compact planning process.
“The compact planning process is something Kermit Hall borought in with him three years ago. It begins with the people out there doing the work. It’s not top-down. It’s very initiative,” White said. “For us, it’s been dynamite!”
White says she already has her Georgia staff “doing homework” on the compact planning process and is excited to help position information technology at UG.
“It will be a very fun role, but a challenge,” she said. “I will be forever grateful for what I’ve learned here. It’s not an easy move, but it’s exciting.”
White, who has been responsible for informational access on USU’s campus for nearly six years, will begin her new position in Georgia, Oct. 1.
“I will miss my mountains,” she said. “It almost makes me cry.”
White’s position is expected to be filled by January and M.K. Jeppesen, associate vice president for research, will serve as interim until the position has been filled.
Talbot, who has been responsible for raising and coordinating private support for USU, said he took the position in Florida because of the opportunity to return to his alma matter and be closer to friends and family.
“It was an opportunity to come home – where I went to school where I played football,” he said. “I was asked to come back here which was very nice. It was flattering.”
Talbot said the work he has done on a comprehensive campaign will continue.
“Everything is ahead of Utah State. It’s maturing, and we’ve got new deans that were a lot of fun to work with,” he said.
Joyce Albrecht, associate vice president for university advancement, said Talbot’s replacement is expected to be announced sometime next week.
“I miss it. It’s beautiful out there – the clean air, the mountains. You don’t realize how much you’ll miss it until you leave,” he said.
Talbot served in his former position for two years and has been praised for the goal-oriented programs he has put into place.
“I think he really helped establish accountability measures and put in place a program that would help us succed in terms of getting out and meeting new donors,” Albrecht said.
Talbot said he is grateful for the growth he has experienced at Utah State.
“I will miss the students and how engaging they are,” he said. “I will miss the opportunity to move USU forward.”
-bnelson@cc.usu.edu