In choosing Gerald J. Day as the new president of Snow College, the State Board of Regents not only brought back a native son to Utah, but one who has impressive academic credentials.
Day has been at Georgia Institute of Technology for the past 18 years, serving as dean of the college of management since 1982. He was chosen from a field of 85 candidates.The new Snow College president has wide academic experience, not only at Georgia Tech, but also at the University of Illinois and Indiana University, where he received graduate degrees. He is a Brigham Young University graduate.
Day replaces Steven D. Bennion, who served at the Snow College helm for six years before moving July 1 to become president of Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. Day will assume his duties in Utah on or about Oct. 1.
He will face numerous challenges at little Snow College in south central Utah. There are many turkey farms in the region, but the economy has been less than robust in recent years.
The two-year school with its 1,500 students has a long and honorable history, observing its 100th anniversary last year. The college has been growing steadily as more students are being encouraged to spend their first two years at a junior college before entering a four-year institution.
Yet the role of the college seems to be changing, with more emphasis on vocational and technical courses than in the past. Bigger enrollments, changes in emphasis and the usual struggles with school finances all mean that Day will face a demanding assignment.
But given his background in management, Day can be expected to cope with the problems and help Snow College continue to grow in size and importance. We welcome him back to Utah and wish him success.