By Timothy R. Olsen, Managing Editor | Photo by Andrew Diamond

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Utah State University is truly a special place. Not only is Logan a unique college town, but our Statewide presence creates a sense of community across Utah.

The “Aggie Family” is a real thing. There’s a reason the university’s branded license plates are in the fourth most requested plates in the state and second amongst universities (even more than BYU). Utah State alumni are proud of their school, their education, and belonging to a community of Aggies.

However, there’s no getting around the fact that it’s been a bit of a tumultuous couple years here in Aggieland.

We’ve seen a new university president depart after only 18 months, undergone significant college and academic restructures, navigated concerns over spending, and experienced notable turnover within the athletic department.

I arrived at Utah State in the fall of 2014 and have now spent more than a decade as a university employee. While most of that time has been at the Logan campus, I’ve also worked at the Brigham City and Kaysville campuses. Along the way, I enrolled in the Huntsman School to earn an MBA — after graduating from USU in 2009 with my bachelor’s degree.

I share that context for this reason: this is the most unsettled I’ve seen the Aggie community, both on and off campus. Higher education, and the public perception of it, is changing. I’m often asked by friends and family some variation of the question, “What the heck is going on at Utah State?”

And while the negative stories tend to catch the headlines, I can with confidence say that those pale in comparison to the avalanche of incredible things happening every day within the walls of this institution.

We have incredible students here. Prior to my current role with the magazine, most of my work involved directly supporting students. I’ve seen firsthand how they are, quite literally, changing the world.

We have incredible faculty. They are conducting groundbreaking research with real impact in our state and beyond. And they care deeply about students — not only about preparing them for careers, but about helping them become thoughtful, engaged members of society.

We have incredible staff. Often unheralded and behind the scenes, our staff shapes the student experience and keeps the university moving forward. From food services to event staff to student support, they are the engine on which the university runs.

Higher education is changing — just as the needs of those who come through its doors are changing — and Utah State is evolving to meet that moment. In this issue, we’re proud to highlight just a few of those adaptations and innovations. And this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Go Aggies!

Timothy R. Olsen
Managing Editor, Utah State Magazine