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After 14 years as President of Utah State University, Daryl Chase told a group of faculty how he " never fully expected to last a year, but thought [he'd] give it a try."(1) The Chase years constitute a period of transition for the institution. The growth and change which began with the end of World War II crystallized during the 1950s, as the college became a university in 1957.(2) Chase assumed the presidency in 1954, after having served in a number of prior positions. He first came to USU as Director of the L.D.S Institute of Religion in the 1940s. Prior to this, he had worked in his church's educational program in Arizona.(3)

As with a number of presidents before him, Chase's Mormon background wielded a strong influence on his pursuit of education. After receiving his B.A. at the University of Utah in 1927, Chase became an LDS seminary teacher in Preston, Idaho. Here, he became acquainted with Joseph F. Merrill, Commissioner of Church Schools for Idaho. Merrill lent Chase the money ( out of Church funds, which Chase later repaid ahead of schedule) to enroll in the graduate school at the University of Chicago. Chase continued his studies at Chicago throughout the 1930s, eventually earning both an MA and a doctoral degree.(4)

Chase's successful directorship at the Logan LDS Institute of Religion brought him to the attention of President Franklin S. Harris, who "insisted", according to Chase, that he accept the position of Dean of Students in 1946.(5) After six years as Dean of Students, the Utah State Board of Trustees appointed him President of the Branch Agricultural College in Cedar City (Southern Utah University). From here, he returned to USU as the institution's tenth president.

Chase assumed the presidency during tumultuous times. Within a few short years, however, the wheels of progress were again turning at the College and a new " era of good feelings" ensued. In 1957, the State Legislature changed the College's status from Utah State Agricultural College to Utah State University of Agriculture and Applied Science.(6)

During his fourteen years as president the institution distinguished itself in research, international programs and in a spirit of positive faculty/student relations. Between 1954 and 1968 the University attracted a 400% increase in research appropriations, the student enrollment increased over 250%, and the international student population burgeoned with an 800% increase. In 1968 the institution awarded 400 doctoral degrees, compared with only 7 when Chase became president in 1954. Additionally, the faculty at the college grew from 370 in 1954 to 600 in 1968, and of these 283 held terminal degrees, compared with only 101 during the earlier period. A tremendous expansion of the physical campus also occurred during the Chase years. Valued at $8.1 million when President Chase became president, the campus boasted of having a combined worth of almost $50 million in buildings with another 11.5 million under construction when he retired in 1968.(7)

Chase's modest statement of how he thought he would last only a year points to the implicit humility he brought with him into the presidency. "If any gains have been made, "he stated in acknowledgement of the faculty at USU, " this is not a one man show. A president can do nothing important, only as he can rally these forces about him."(8)