USU’s 18th president takes a pitstop to Eastern

Utah State University president Brad Mortensen stopped at USU Eastern as part of a statewide campus tour aimed at getting to know students, faculty, and staff ahead of his official inauguration. The visit focused on listening, asking questions, and experiencing the campus firsthand.

Mortensen’s visit began early with a guided campus tour led by USU Eastern Ambassadors. Rather than focusing only on facilities, Mortensen emphasized that he wanted to understand the people and culture that make each campus unique. He wanted to meet and see everything Eastern.

One of the main stops on a USU Eastern campus tour is the Geary Theatre. When Mortensen arrived, he took a moment to play “The Scotsman” on the Shelton and Sharon Wakefield Steinway piano, which had been conveniently rolled onto the stage for the occasion. The piano performance added a personal tone to the visit. It was later learned that this moment was a preview of something planned for his upcoming inauguration.

At 8 a.m., Mortensen hosted an open Q&A session with students, inviting them to share why they chose USU Eastern, what they are studying, and how their college experience has been so far. Students spoke positively about the campus’s close-knit environment, describing feeling supported and personally known by faculty and staff. Many students shared personal stories during the session.

While much of the feedback was encouraging, students also raised concerns about access and equity across Utah State’s statewide system. Topics included limited cafeteria hours, increased access to the Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC), and fewer opportunities for students statewide to attend Logan-based events, including athletic games and guest lectures.

Several students noted that while USU promotes equal access to resources across campuses, statewide students often miss out on in-person experiences tied to certain programs. Students from the social work, natural resources and wildlife, and the Huntsman School of Business programs echoed similar frustrations, explaining that opportunities are often centered in Logan, leaving students statewide with recorded lectures or livestream links despite paying the same course fees.

Mortensen listened attentively throughout the discussion, often nodding as students spoke and pausing to respond by asking follow-up questions. When concerns were raised, he expressed empathy and made students feel that their experiences would be taken seriously. Jessica Oyler, the president’s chief of staff, was also very present, actively taking notes and adding commentary to the discussion.

The mood lightened when another student jokingly suggested adding a franchised restaurant to campus, naming Panda Express, Chick-fil-A, and In-N-Out as top contenders. Mortensen laughed and shared that he enjoys those restaurants as well, briefly entertaining the idea before guiding the conversation back to broader campus needs.

From 9 to 10 a.m., Mortensen met with faculty and staff for a second Q&A session focused on institutional direction, statewide coordination, and rebuilding trust within the university system.

Mortensen acknowledged recent challenges at Utah State, explaining that his return to the university was motivated by a belief in its statewide mission and its potential to better serve students and communities. He emphasized the importance of transparency and communication, noting that rebuilding trust with faculty, staff, legislators, and the public would be a key priority moving forward.

Faculty and staff raised questions about legislative oversight, workforce alignment, and ensuring statewide campuses receive adequate support. Many sought reassurance that the trades students are learning at Eastern are not in danger and that they can learn and work in the same community. Mortensen described his leadership approach as collaborative, emphasizing the value of listening to concerns rather than reacting defensively. He also highlighted the importance of student voices in shaping both public perception and policy decisions.

The staff discussion also touched on program development, including balancing technical education with academic and arts programs. Mortensen pointed to USU Eastern’s combination of technical training and traditional academics as a strength, particularly in meeting the regional and local workforce needs. Mortensen reflected on a point raised in the student session: that Eastern is one of the few locations in Utah where students can learn a trade and use scholarship funding to pursue it.

Concerns regarding disability services, staffing, public safety, and systemwide infrastructure

were also raised. Mortensen acknowledged gaps across statewide campuses and said addressing those challenges is essential to fulfilling Utah State’s commitment to equitable access and student success. Mortensen appeared to take note of the disparities Eastern may face compared to other USU campuses.

Following the Q&A sessions, the visit moved to a “ribbon joining” ceremony for the new USU Eastern aviation hangar at the Carbon County Airport. Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, leaders, partners, and community members literally joined a custom ribbon together, symbolizing the teamwork that brought the project to life. The hangar, which supports USU Eastern’s growing aircraft maintenance programs, represents years of planning and collaboration among the university, local leaders, and the community. The Aviation program started at USU Eastern in 2019. This new hangar broke ground in 2024 and is ready to open its doors for students. It was an effort involving many partners and contributors.

The celebration included leaders from Carbon County, the Southeastern Regional Development Agency (SERDA), local and state government, business partners, donors, and university staff.

The speakers highlighted the challenges along the way and the persistence required to make the hangar a reality, while also celebrating its potential for education and local economic growth.

Mortensen praised the collaboration and the way the university and community came together for this long-awaited project. He shared that this is the prime example of how USU is supposed to work; the university should sync up with the community. After the ceremony, Mortensen, his staff, donors, and Eastern leadership enjoyed a VIP lunch catered by USU Eastern Catering at the hangar before heading out to finish their statewide tour.

Mortensen was officially inaugurated as Utah State University’s 18th president on Jan. 16 in Logan. His visit to USU Eastern reflected a leadership style centered on listening, visibility, and a commitment to ensuring statewide campuses remain an integral part of Utah State’s future.