Utah State University students, friends and administrators mourned the loss of a former leader Monday as the blue light on top of Old Main Tower in Logan shone for past president Kermit L. Hall.
The big "A" glowed through the night in remembrance of Hall, who died Sunday while swimming near his vacation home in Hilton Head, S.C.
"A great voice for higher education in America has been silenced with the passing of Kermit L. Hall," said current USU president Stan L. Albrecht. "The news of his untimely death comes as a tremendous shock."
Hall, 61, and his wife, Phyllis, were swimming about 100 yards offshore when he told her they were out too far, she told police. When they turned back, he began waving his arms and yelling for help. Rescuers pulled Hall from the water and he died at a hospital 40 minutes later, about 3 p.m. East Coast time.
Police believe Hall suffered from a medical condition, as the water wasn't deep, according to Beaufort County dispatchers.
Hall had been president of the University of Albany in New York for the past two years.
"I was sorry when he left Utah; he was a man with great potential," State Board of Regents Chairman Nolan E. Karras said. "He was a real team player."
Karras said Hall was known for his 4 a.m. e-mails and always bringing up "uncomfortable issues" during meetings. He said Hall's entrance into the state helped raise the educational bar.
"He was not only an innovative and thoughtful administrator but also forced those around him to stretch," Karras said.
The USU community, Karras said, "reached a little higher" because of Hall.
"He thought big," he said.
Hall was named the 14th president of USU in January 2001 and left to take the University of Albany job in December 2004.
During his four years as president at USU, Hall helped elevate the institution's academic standing and national recognition. He saw higher standardized test scores among freshman classes, higher freshman retention and increased potential for grant-funded research at the university. He was often seen socializing with students and helped many find options to fund their education, as costly tuition was among one of his greatest concerns, said USU public relations director John DeVilbiss.
"His walk across campus was never a straight line," DeVilbiss said. "His four years here went by too fast and he kept everybody hopping. He had a lot of energy."
A memorial service was held for Hall at the University at Albany on Monday afternoon.
No formal service is planned at USU, other than the light atop Old Main, but those who wish to honor Hall can send e-mail condolences to his family through USU's Web site, www.usu.edu. Contributions also can be made to the Kermit L. Hall and Phyllis A. Hall Inaugural Scholarship by calling 435-797-1158.
E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com