Remembering Kermit Hall

Former Utah State University President Kermit Hall died Aug. 13 while swimming off the coast of South Carolina. He was 61.

Hall was swimming with his wife, Phyllis, approximately 100 yards from the shore. Phyllis Hall told the police they had started swimming toward the

beach when Hall began to struggle and call for help. Beachgoers pulled Hall from the water and he died about 40 minutes later at a local hospital.

In a preliminary autopsy report released by coroner Curt Copeland of Beaufort County, S.C., it said Hall “experienced a cardiac event that precipitated him losing consciousness and drowning.” It is reported that

Phyllis Hall told police he had “a minor history of heart problems.” Drowning was the official cause of death. A complete autopsy will be released in a few weeks.

Hall was at the helm of USU for four years before becoming president of the State University of New York at Albany in February 2005.

When speaking of his predecessor, USU President Stan Albrecht said, “The news of his untimely death comes as a tremendous shock. Kermit was not only a mentor, but also a friend. I learned a great deal from him and I immensely enjoyed working with him.

“Kermit had an enormous impact on USU. He helped to elevate our institution’s academic standing and national recognition,” Albrecht said. “On behalf of Utah State University, I express our deep sorrow over the loss of an extraordinary leader in education.”

Hall’s presidency at Utah State was marked by successful initiatives. He

improved freshmen retention rates. USU’s Web site reported that the retention rate increased from 61 to 75 percent under Hall’s watch. Entering freshmen had higher grade-point averages and standardized test scores.

It was also under Hall’s guidance that the student/faculty ratio was reduced. By allocating a fraction of tuition money for hiring professors and advisers, the ratio decreased from 27:1 to 21:1, according to USU’s Web site.

During Hall’s presidency, USU joined the Western Athletic Conference.

While working at USU, he also made some controversial decisions. The most contentious being the eradication of the College of Family Life in 2002.

Prior to becoming president of Utah State, Hall held positions at North

Carolina State University, Ohio State University, the University of Tulsa,

Wayne State University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Florida.

Hall was also known for his knowledge of the United States Constitution and U.S. legal and judicial history. He was a leading scholar of constitutional law and the Supreme Court. Hall has written extensively and published books regarding federal and state courts and judicial systems around the world.

Hall brought his passion and knowledge to students at USU by teaching an advanced constitutional law class. He also offered this class during his time in Albany, N.Y.

“A great voice for higher education in America has been silenced with the passing of Kermit L. Hall,” Albrecht said.

A memorial was held at the State University of New York at Albany shortlyafter Hall’s death. Among the speakers was Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

No formal service will be held at USU.

-ariek@cc.usu.edu