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Glen L. Taggart succeeded Daryl Chase in 1968 to become the eleventh president of USU. After earning a bachelor's degree at USU, the Lewiston, Utah native worked for the Federal government as a rural sociologist with the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. He later earned his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1943.

He came to USU from Michigan State University, where he had been Dean of International Studies and Programs since 1956. From 1964 to 1966, he served as vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria.

Taggart had a long involvement with international programs. After earning his Ph D, Taggart returned to government service in 1944 with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Office, travelling extensively to over thirty-eight foreign countries. His emphasis on international work continued after he became President of USU. Other areas emphasized under Taggart's administration included the implementation of a decentralized budget. This helped minimize budgetary competition by allowing departments to manage their own finances. It also encouraged departments to seek extramural funding, which remained part of the department's budget. Taggart proposed sweeping changes to the faculty code governing tenure and promotion, as well proposing a much broader mission for the Extension Service.

Taggart served as president at a time when many of the nation's campuses were under siege by student activists. Although USU did not escape this tumult entirely, Taggart preferred diplomacy to the iron-fist in dealing with student unrest at USU.