Utah State University Leaders Honored by Local Utah Communities

USU President Brad L. Mortensen and former Interim President Alan L. Smith were both recently recognized for their work and positive impacts on Utah communities.

President Mortensen was honored by the Ogden City Council with the proclamation of his own day, while Smith was named the Cache Valley’s Resident of the Year by The Herald Journal.

On Jan. 6, the Ogden City Council unanimously voted to approve the day as Brad Mortensen Day, honoring Mortensen’s service to the community during his tenure at Weber State University, including the significant growth of WSU and his role in strengthening partnerships between WSU, Ogden, and surrounding communities during his seven years as president.

“Very grateful and humbled to be recognized by the Ogden City Council meeting the other night,” Mortensen said. “My time working with the community while at Weber will always be cherished, and I’m looking forward to a bright future here at Utah State.”

On Jan. 2, The Herald Journal named former Interim President Al Smith its Resident of the Year in recognition of his work “leading USU through significant change,” which included overseeing USU’s strategic reinvestment efforts, reaccreditation, and navigating various changes within the athletic department.

“Beyond being willing and able to take on the interim president role, I was motivated to do so because I deeply believe in higher education and USU as institutions that are forces for good in our state and beyond,” Smith told the newspaper. “Taking on the interim president role was a unique opportunity to serve and further develop my capacity to positively impact our community and state.”

Both Mortensen and Smith are first-generation college students.