The future is Albrecht
Entering his presidency with a standing ovation, Utah State University’s Stan Albrecht presented his top priorities to primarily focus on students as the 15th university president.
The Utah State Board of Regents unanimously voted to both forego a formal national search and appoint Stan Albrecht, who has served as provost for the past four years, as new USU president at a public meeting of the board in the Taggart Student Center Tuesday.
“[This is] the most important assignment we have and we don’t take it lightly,” said regent Nolan Karras about appointing a university president. “You can quit calling me now.”
Albrecht replaces President Kermit L. Hall who recently accepted the position of president at State University New York at Albany. Hall leaves USU after four years.
The meeting began with discussion, led by Karras, about bypassing a national search. While the regents met and discussed the issue Friday, the formal vote was cast and counted in front of about 150 people.
The decision was made after a process that welcomed input from faculty, alumni, students and community members last week, who demonstrated confidence in Albrecht, Karras said.
“We can now pick the man that is the right man at the right time for Utah State,” Karras said.
Albrecht was received with applause, cheers and a standing ovation as he walked to the podium.
“I accept the assignment with both humility and as what I believe as a clear understanding as expectations, challenges and tremendous opportunities that are ahead for Utah State University,” Albrecht said.
Surpassing the formal search is a beneficial move for the university, Karras said, because the university is on “the right track.” A search would create a delay of six or nine months, he said, which might slow the momentum of the school.
“This is an extremely important organization to the state,” Karras said. “I believe if we’re successful as a state, it will be because we empower the people at this institution and institutions like it across the state that’s what will make the future of Utah bright.”
With the meeting at USU, faculty, administrators, community members, staff, students and university supporters were able to see the importance USU has in the state, said Les Essig, Associate Student of USU president.
“I think the regents made a wise decision coming and being here I think it’s great for both the president and the administration to see how important it is on a state level that we have a very good leader,” Essig said.
In a written statement, Hall said the board made the right decision in appointing Albrecht as the university president.
“Stan fully understands the ambitions, the resources and the people – both inside and outside the institution – and as a result, he will provide superb leadership. I am grateful to Stan for his service as Provost, service that has well prepared him for the next challenge in his career,” Hall said in the written statement read at the meeting.
In his acceptance speech, Albrecht said his priorities centered on students. He said he will continue emphasizing academic quality, recognize and compensate faculty and staff efforts, will not turn away prepared students who want to attend USU, promote faculty and student leadership relationships, emphasize accountability and student recognition.
“I was very pleased that one of his goals was to remember that the university is for the students,” Essig said. “I am very excited and I know that working with President Albrecht will be a privilege and a honor.”
To demonstrate his emphasis on students first, Albrecht said his first meeting on Feb. 1 will be with students.
With the position of university provost vacant, Albrecht said a national search would be beneficial. Until the search is completed, he said he would appoint an interim as soon as possible to create a strong senior leadership going into the Legislative session.
-kcashton@cc.usu.edu
Stan Albrecht was announced as USU´s 15th president Tuesday afternoon in the Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge. He spoke briefly about future goals for the university. As he approached the podium, Albrecht received a standing ovation. (Photo by Jamie Crane)