USU says farewell to leader
A huge asset to Utah State University will be lost when Fred R. Hunsaker, vice president for Administrative Services, retires in December.
“He’s a man of large stature whose heart matches his size,” said John DeVilbiss, executive director of public relations and marketing at USU. “He’ll be a hard man to replace.”
Hunsaker will retire this December after working alongside the university presidents for 12 years.
“You just kind of know when it’s time. There are some projects I’ve been neglecting,” said Hunsaker about his retirement.
Recently, Hunsaker has been instrumental in helping USU work through certain financial dilemmas during the period of poor economy which has struck Utah in the last few years. His position as vice president of Administrative Services puts him in charge of resource management. Hunsaker said resource management involves taking care of the university’s financial and human resources, facilities and auxiliaries. Of these categories, financial resources is the most crucial.
Hunsaker said the university relies on state revenue for one third of its total budget, but state revenue has been down for the past few years. This has led to the third year running that USU faculty and staff have not received a raise. The budget problems have also contributed to a very high student-to-faculty ratio.
However, during these difficult times some very good things have happened, Hunsaker said. The university hired 75 new faculty members in order to lower the student-to-
faculty ratio. It has also been able to build new facilities such as the new Engineering Building, the first phase of the new Edith Bowen Elementary School, and the heat plant along with its system of heat tunnels.
Also, in the near future the university will finish construction on the new Merrill Library, which will combine the new phase with the existing Science and Technology Library structure, as well as beginning construction on a new recital hall for the school of the arts.
“One message I would leave with you is that despite difficult times, the university is moving forward and making significant strides,” Hunsaker said.
He said he was quite pleased with the advances he has been able to witness during his time working at USU. Hunsaker emphasized he was not responsible for the accomplishments, but colleagues such as DeVilbiss do consider him to be a key factor in the equation.
“Utah is undergoing one of the worst economic situations since World War II, but our university continues to thrive under Fred’s watch,” DeVilbiss said. “We are a stable institution and much of that has to do with Fred Hunsaker.”
After working as a banker for 26 years, Hunsaker was appointed by Utah Governor Norm Bangerter to be a member of the USU Board of Trustees in 1983. Hunsaker continued to work on the board until 1991 when he was hired as vice president for administrative services. While he was working with USU, Hunsaker was also elected to the state legislature in 1990. He served for seven sessions.
During his time as a member of the Board of Trustees, Hunsaker says he saw considerable growth in enrollment at the university. He also witnessed the construction of many new buildings and facilities, saying that in the past 20 years USU has received by and far more state funding for new facilities than has any other college or university in the state.
One of Hunsaker’s favorite parts about working at USU is the opportunity to associate with the students. During his 12 years as vice president for Administrative Services, Hunsaker had the opportunity to work for two years in the Regents’ Office in Salt Lake City as associate commissioner for finances and facilities.
Hunsaker said he had commiteed to work at the Regents’ Office for two years, and it was two years to the day when he returned to USU. He said he came back because of the students.
“That’s what makes working in higher education so enjoyable,” Hunsaker said. “It’s the students, their optimism, ability, enthusiasm to learn and their can-do attitude. USU has the finest student leaders and the highest caliber of students one could expect.”
Hunsaker praised the student body and the Associated Students of USU because they have the same objectives as the administration, to improve educational opportunities at USU. Hunsaker also said he hopes that in the future USU can continue on its established path to improvement and excellence.
A search committee has been appointed to find a replacement for Hunsaker after his retirement in December. It has narrowed the field to six applicants and the decision should be announced within the month.
-sjeppesen@cc.usu.edu