“It’s been a wild ride”
Six presidents/chancellors, 10 offices, six job titles, three college names, four homes for Gibby, 10 buildings built and 33 graduations, 32 years of employment at a place you love; priceless. That’s just a few of the statistics Vice Chancellor for Administration and Academics, Brad King, has spent on campus.
This archived article was written by: Karli Morris
Six presidents/chancellors, 10 offices, six job titles, three college names, four homes for Gibby, 10 buildings built and 33 graduations, 32 years of employment at a place you love; priceless. That’s just a few of the statistics Vice Chancellor for Administration and Academics, Brad King, has spent on campus.
King moved to Price when he was in first grade. His dad began teaching in the biology department at Carbon College. He said he was raised on campus. In his teen years he worked on the campus grounds for a summer job and later attended the school to earn an associate’s degree. While attending he met his wife, Tami.
After graduation from Brigham Young University, he moved to Las Vegas, Nev., for a year, but quickly returned to Price when a job opportunity that he wasn’t looking for found him. He moved back for what he thought might only be a short while and hasn’t left. “I had no idea that I would be here this long,” he said.
King started in February 1981 as the director of high school relations then moved on to director of student activities and recruiting, which he says was the most fun of all. He then became the dean of students, followed by vice president of student service and ended up where he is now as vice chancellor of administration and advancement.
One could say that working at the campus has been somewhat of a “family business” as King put it. He worked with his dad for 10 of his 34 years on campus. All of his three children graduated from the college. One of his sons worked for the school for one year as a student: recruiting. He has also worked with his brother, Mike King, associate professor of wildlife sciences for 15 years and his brother-in-law, Ron Vogel, associate professor of business, who is also retiring this year.
The college has given King an opportunity to do something he loves in being “The Voice of the Golden Eagles” men’s basketball team for a number of years and the football team for its final season. He also acted in six-theater productions, helped with basketball recruiting, sang in choir concerts and quarried rock for a fountain that was once located in front of the library.
King began the international-student program and started bringing professional entertainment to campus. He also taught Japanese, children’s literature and leadership courses.
The most exciting time in his career was when the Legislature approved the funds for the BDAC. The college had tried for years with no success. The final day of the legislature, the administration was meeting and received a call at 11 p.m., informing them of the approval. He says the next exciting event will be when the college receives approval for the new building.
A major highlight in his time here would be when the men’s basketball team took third place in the national competition in 2010. He also loves attending student activities, athletic events, theater productions, gallery displays and poetry readings on campus.
King says that he “can’t think of a better place to work for an entire career. It’s a hard thing to do, pack up the office and leave.”
After retirement on June 30, 2013, King wants to fill his time with working around his house and garden, fishing, golfing and babysitting his grandson at least once a week. He then plans to serve an LDS mission with his wife.
“It’s been a wild ride.”
