NEWS UPDATE: Stan Albrecht Named Utah State University’s 15th President

Stan Albrecht was named Utah State University’s 15^th president today by unanimous vote by Utah’s Board of Regents during a special meeting on campus. Albrecht will assume his new position on Feb. 1.

 

“Selecting a president is the most important assignment we have,” said Board of Regents Chair Nolan E. Karras. “We are pleased to name the right man at the right time.”

 

At the time of the announcement, Albrecht was serving as executive vice president and provost at Utah State. He previously served as its dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

 

“I care deeply about this university and its mission,” Albrecht said. “I strongly believe that it has the potential to remain one of the outstanding teaching, research and outreach universities in this country. The world of higher education is being transformed by technology, and the ability to access and apply knowledge will be more critical than ever before to compete in today’s world and to reap economic benefits.”

 

Albrecht replaces Kermit L. Hall who has been named president of the University of Albany, which is part of the State University of New York. Hall served four years as the president at Utah State.

 

“I am delighted that the Board of Regents has made the wise choice of appointing Stan Albrecht president of Utah State University,” said Hall. “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.”

 

“Dr. Albrecht is highly qualified and it is reassuring to know that the person we were looking for is already providing leadership at Utah State,” said Karras. “We feel it is important to continue the momentum of progress at the university and therefore wanted an experienced person at the helm.”

 

As part of the decision, the Regents considered input and suggestions from trustees, faculty, students, administrators, staff and the public. Albrecht was part of a national search for Utah State’s president four years ago and has the confidence and support of the university’s community.

 

“I want to thank everyone for the vote of support that has been shown today,” Albrecht said in remarks following his appointment as president. “I accept this assignment with humility and for the trust placed in me. And to the larger Utah State community, I say, this is a team sport. Our future successes will be a consequence of your efforts. It is my hope and dream to continue to build a future worthy of Utah State’s illustrious past.”

 

Representing Utah State’s Board of Trustees at the meeting was Chairman Gayle McKeachnie.

 

“Last year, when it looked like President Hall was leaving the university, we recommended Stan to the regents,” McKeachnie said. “Nothing has changed since then. The trustees congratulate and welcome Stan.”

 

Prior to his arrival at Utah State, Albrecht served as an administrator and professor at the University of Florida. He also served for nearly 20 years at Brigham Young University, including three years as academic vice president and associate provost. He began his career as an assistant professor of sociology at Utah State University in 1970.

 

A sociologist, Albrecht has written extensively, including as a co-author of the textbooks Social Psychology and Social Science Research Methods, both published by Prentice-Hall. He has authored numerous scholarly papers on a wide range of topics, including the environment, energy development and rural health.

 

Albrecht received his doctorate from Washington State University, a master’s degree  from Washington State University and bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. He is a member of the Science Committee for the Minerals Management Service of the U.S. Department of Interior. He has served as a council member of the Society for Human Ecology and as vice president of the Rural Sociological Society.