When University at Albany President Kermit L. Hall died while swimming in South Carolina on Sunday, the university and the Capital District lost a leader, a friend and an educator.
At a Monday memorial service held at the university’s uptown campus, state, local and university officials remembered the 17th president of the university as a kind, caring, Renaissance man capable of bringing the university to new heights, but most of all, as a man who cared deeply about his students.
George Philip, the chairman of the council that selected the president, said Hall brought to Albany a love of students, something Philip said was the hallmark of Hall’s time here.
Hall was a preeminent scholar of American Constitutional, legal and judiciary history. Hall wrote extensively on the development of American federal and state courts. He was appointed by former President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the Assassination Records Review Board in 1992 to review and release documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Before coming to Albany, he was the president of Utah State University for four years.
Hall, 61, took office as the university’s president Feb. 1, 2005, and, according to speakers at the memorial service and students on campus, he made a profound impact in that short time.
From the first day that Kermit Hall arrived on campus, it was quite evident that he was a huge supporter of students, said Nicholas Chiuchiolo, President of the university’s student association. `The quality of student life was of utmost importance to him.`
U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton said she was in disbelief when told of Hall’s death. She said he was a kind, forward-thinking leader and friend.
`He was someone who believed in getting the job done,` said Clinton. `He never lost sight of the student experience.`
On his third day in office, Hall established the Inaugural Scholarship Fund to assure that qualified undergrads would have the means to attend. The fund was jump-started with the $100,000 that the campus could have spent on Hall’s inauguration. Additionally, Hall and his wife, Phyllis, pledged $10,000. Today the fund stands at $3 million.
Students at the university applauded Hall’s openness with the student body. Hall made himself visible on campus, at sporting events and even visited the student-filled Pine Hills section of Albany with Mayor Jerry Jennings to get a feel for where the students were living and spending their time.
`I think he was influential enough to make real change but friendly enough to hold a conversation with,` said Jennilee Barnao, a graduate student in the public history program. `I was saddened because there was a lot of promise for what he was going to bring and what he already brought to the university.`
Barnao, who graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in history, said she was delighted that Hall took the time to speak at the history department’s commencement ceremony in 2005. Barnao said that while it probably only took two hours of Hall’s time, it meant a lot to her that someone as busy as Hall would take the time to recognize the accomplishments of the department’s students.
Hall was known for being generous with his time.
Amanda Whistle, the news editor for the Albany Student Press, said Hall had made plans with the campus newspaper to meet biweekly in the upcoming year to address campus issues.
`It was a joy working with him,` said Whistle. `You could reach him on the phone at any time.`
Chiuchiolo said Hall’s efforts went a long way in ensuring that students can proudly display their diplomas received from the University at Albany.
`Simply put, the university, its faculty and staff, and its students are all better off today because of President Hall,` he said. “