Stan LeRoy Albrecht (born July 13, 1942) is an American educator, university administrator, and scholar. He served as the president of

Utah State University Utah State University (USU or Utah State) is a public land-grant research university in Logan, Utah. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. With nearly 20,000 students living on or near campus, USU is Uta ...

from 2005 to 2016.

Early life and education

Albrecht was raised on a farm near Fremont in Wayne County,

Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to its ...

. Albrecht began college as an undergraduate student at

Southern Utah State College Southern Utah University (SUU) is a public university in Cedar City, Utah. Founded in 1897 as a normal school, Southern Utah University now graduates over 1,800 students each year with baccalaureate and graduate degrees from its six colleges. ...

(now known as

Southern Utah University Southern Utah University (SUU) is a public university in Cedar City, Utah. Founded in 1897 as a normal school, Southern Utah University now graduates over 1,800 students each year with baccalaureate and graduate degrees from its six colleges. ...

), later transferring to BYU. Albrecht initially majored in veterinary science, but soon switched to political science and history before settling on sociology. Albrecht completed both his master's and doctorate degrees in sociology from

Washington State University Washington State University (Washington State, WSU, or informally Wazzu) is a public land-grant research university with its flagship, and oldest, campus in Pullman, Washington. Founded in 1890, WSU is also one of the oldest land-grant uni ...

Career

Albrecht's got his first teaching position at

in 1970. Shortly after, he accepted a faculty position at

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

where he worked for over twenty years. During his tenure at BYU, Albrecht served as a professor, department head, dean, academic vice president, and associate provost. Albrecht later accepted a research position as associate director of the epidemiological research center at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He became Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at

in 1998, serving until 2001, when he was named provost of the university. Albrecht was appointed president of Utah State on February 1, 2005. Albrecht took office during a period of turmoil at Utah State, highlighted by a van accident which killed eight students and a faculty member returning from an agricultural research trip. During his tenure, he raised major funds for the improvement of USU's statewide Regional Campus system. He oversaw an increase in enrollment, added the Energy Dynamics Lab and a new college, and built numerous additional facilities on and around campus. Albrecht initiated a $400 million fundraising campaign in 2007. The initial goal of $200 million was reached within one year the goal was doubled and the campaign extended to 2012. Albrecht retired as president in 2016, and was succeeded by

Noelle E. Cockett Noelle E. Cockett is an American geneticist and academic administrator serving as the 16th president of Utah State University. On November 22, 2022 Cockett announced she would retire as USU's president effective July 1, 2023. Early life and edu ...

, a genetic researcher and first female president of Utah State. Cockett officially assumed the role in January 2017. In retirement, he has held various roles, including being named a member of the Executive Advisory Board of Utah's new Medical School of Osteopathy,

Rocky Vista University ''Rocky'' is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the first installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise and stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burgess M ...

in 2017. Albrecht at one point was a member of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The ...

but later left the religion.

Awards and honors

* Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Science Building which serves as the College of Agriculture and Applied Science's headquarters at

is named in his honor.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Albrecht, Stan L. 1942 births Living people Utah State University faculty Presidents of Utah State University People from Wayne County, Utah Southern Utah University alumni Brigham Young University alumni Washington State University alumni Brigham Young University faculty University of Florida faculty Writers from Utah Former Latter Day Saints