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Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Merrill-Cazier Library: Biography of Stanford Orson Cazier

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Biography of Stanford Orson Cazier

Stanford O. Cazier, university president, 1979–1992 (USU A-board 1828)

Image of Stan Cazier with the Merrill-Cazier Library sign

Dr. Stanford Orson Cazier became USU’s twelfth president in April 1979, after having served as president of Chico State University for eight years. Cazier began his professional career at USU in 1960, where he served as department head before being selected to serve as President Glen Taggart’s assistant in 1970.

As a trained humanist, Cazier brought to the office of president a unique perception. To the editors of Outlook, the campus alumni publication, he stated his interest in trying to measure, or determine, those “variables so seldom if ever assessed in the higher education enterprise, such as the value added by virtue of the collegiate experience, behavior changes, sense of satisfaction, etc.” Cazier remained dedicated to the ideals of the mission of the land-grant college while at the same time remaining open to changes required to guide the institution through the 1980s.

During Cazier’s tenure as president, the institution underwent significant change. In 1979, when Cazier became president, total expenditures for the university totaled $80 million. By 1991, upon his retirement, the university was expending over $220 million annually. Grants and contracts during the same period also grew dramatically, from 9,063 in 1979 to 15,118 in 1991. Major building programs, totaling more than $100 million dollars and including the Eccles Conference Center, Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, David B. Haight Alumni Center, University Inn, and S.J. Quinney Natural Resources Building, capped his administration.

Stanford O. Cazier left a lasting legacy at Utah State University. He retired from the presidency in June 1991, but he continued his association with the university as a faculty member in the History Department, returning to what he declared was his first love: teaching. He passed away March 14, 2013.

dfsfwas born in Nephi, Utah, on June 11th, 1930 to Gerald and Edna Jeanette Cazier. He had fond memories of his youth and learned the value of hard work farming and herding sheep. When his brief naval career was thwarted by the first of many health challenges, Stan turned to academic pursuits. He became a very dedicated student of history, especially military history, and discovered a love of teaching. While at the University of Utah, Stan met Shirley Anderson. They were married on his birthday in 1952. Stan and Shirley were a great love story and worked as a successful team. They were blessed with four sons, David, John, Paul, and Thomas Michael. Thomas died shortly after birth.
Stan earned a master's degree from the U of U and a History Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He was an enthusiastic history professor at USU and was named Teacher of the Year in 1966. In 1967 he was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship by New York University's Academic Administration, and he and Shirley enjoyed returning to NYC where Stan had formerly taught at the Bronx Community College. Stan had the privilege of serving as the president of two universities, first at California State University Chico from 1971-1979 and at Utah State University from 1979-1992. These institutions flourished under his leadership. He loved the associations he gained with the faculty, staff, and students during these years.
Stan had a generous heart. He was a regular contributor to many charities. Two of his favorites were CARE and the LDS Humanitarian fund. He also helped support several LDS missionaries and served as a driver for Meals on Wheels.
Stan was an avid reader. He was always surrounded by books. He highlighted almost every page and made comments in all the margins and then donated them to others. He loved to discuss his latest reading list and never stopped learning. Stan was passionate about books and would be honored by any contribution made to the Merrill-Cazier Library that bears his name. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?pid=163649944#sthash.qaWX8igA.dpuf

He was born in Nephi, Utah, on June 11th, 1930 to Gerald and Edna Jeanette Cazier. He had fond memories of his youth and learned the value of hard work farming and herding sheep. When his brief naval career was thwarted by the first of many health challenges, Stan turned to academic pursuits. He became a very dedicated student of history, especially military history, and discovered a love of teaching. While at the University of Utah, Stan met Shirley Anderson. They were married on his birthday in 1952. Stan and Shirley were a great love story and worked as a successful team. They were blessed with four sons, David, John, Paul, and Thomas Michael. Thomas died shortly after birth.
Stan earned a master's degree from the U of U and a History Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He was an enthusiastic history professor at USU and was named Teacher of the Year in 1966. In 1967 he was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship by New York University's Academic Administration, and he and Shirley enjoyed returning to NYC where Stan had formerly taught at the Bronx Community College. Stan had the privilege of serving as the president of two universities, first at California State University Chico from 1971-1979 and at Utah State University from 1979-1992. These institutions flourished under his leadership. He loved the associations he gained with the faculty, staff, and students during these years.
Stan had a generous heart. He was a regular contributor to many charities. Two of his favorites were CARE and the LDS Humanitarian fund. He also helped support several LDS missionaries and served as a driver for Meals on Wheels.
Stan was an avid reader. He was always surrounded by books. He highlighted almost every page and made comments in all the margins and then donated them to others. He loved to discuss his latest reading list and never stopped learning. Stan was passionate about books and would be honored by any contribution made to the Merrill-Cazier Library that bears his name. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?pid=163649944#sthash.qaWX8igA.dpuf