By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News |  Photo by Benjamin Zack | Weber State University

Following a nationwide search, the Utah Board of Higher Education announced on Thursday that it would be appointing Brad L. Mortensen as the newest president of Utah State University.

Mortensen, who has served as the President of Weber State University since 2019, enters at a tumultuous time for the university, midway through a redesign of the institution’s statewide enterprise and the reinvention of the school’s strategic reinvestment plan mandated by HB265, which the State Legislature recently rejected.

“It is incredibly humbling and almost unbelievable as a first-generation college graduate to be named president of my alma mater, Utah State University,” Mortensen said. “I am excited to connect with Aggie Nation and collectively build a bright future for USU. From the three generations of my family who lived in Cache Valley before moving to Idaho to the five Aggie alumni in my immediate family, I am deeply committed to ensuring the impact of our university continues to rise.”

Mortensen arrives following the departure of former university president Betsy Cantwell, whose actions while in the position have been criticized by the Office of Legislative Auditor General for creating a” culture of policy noncompliance,” especially with spending.

Through information obtained via public records requests, it was tracked that Cantwell spent $661,800 on new cars, an apartment in Salt Lake City, extensive national travel and lavish furnishings for her office – including a $750 bidet during her time in office.

During his time at Weber State, Mortensen’s accomplishments include:

• Pioneering the first accelerated bachelor’s degree programs in the Utah System of Higher Education, gaining approval for WSU to launch 90- to 94-credit bachelor’s degrees.
• Leading WSU’s dual enrollment program to become the largest in the United States among four-year institutions in 2024.
• Securing nearly $400 million during his career at WSU to enhance academic, athletic and research facilities.

“Dr. Mortensen is a visionary leader who understands the potential and responsibility of leading USU,” said Amanda Covington, chair of the Utah Board of Higher Education. “He has a proven record of delivering value for students and Utahns, ensuring mission-critical decisions lead to improved student outcomes and a thriving economy. The Board looks forward to his leadership at Utah State University and believes its future is bright.”

However, the process behind it was not as transparent as it had been in the past due to SB282, which required presidential search committees to announce only the top candidate after the selection had been made. Previously, institutions published a short list of three to five candidates for the Board of Higher Education’s consideration.

“Mortensen marks the first to be selected under the private process, with no opportunity for the public to vet candidates,” reports the Salt Lake Tribune. “The hope was to attract more top-tier candidates, without the worry that their names would be released, alerting their current employers they’d applied elsewhere.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Brad Mortensen to Utah State University as president,” USHE Commissioner Geoffrey Landward said. “President Mortensen is a remarkable leader and selfless collaborator who always puts students first. He has the vision to reimagine what a thriving land grant university can be.”