Kermit Hall became Utah State University's fourteenth president in January 2001, succeeding George H. Emert. He served as president through December 2004, when he resigned to accept the presidency at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Albany. On August 13, 2006, President Hall died in a tragic swimming accident, while on vacation at Hilton Head, North Carolina.

During his four years as president of Utah State University, Hall always endeavored to place “academics first.” During his administration the institution witnessed a substantial jump in enrollment, particularly incoming freshmen. Hall is credited with establishing the Student Inaugural Scholarship Program, in lieu of holding a presidential inauguration; initiating the Compact Planning process for departmental budgets; conducting an annual “Roads Scholar” trip, where university faculty toured the state to teach and meet prospective students; and worked to decrease the student/faculty ratio, by attracting and retaining exceptional teachers.

Research grants also increased by over 32 percent under Halls tenure, who continued teaching classes, as well as engaging in his own publishing and research projects.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Hall received his undergraduate from the University of Akron, his master's degree from Syracuse University, and his Ph.D from the University of Minnesota. A constitutional history scholar, Hall also earned his law degree from Yale University, and served on the Assassination Records Review Board, which examined the Warren Commission Report of the investigation into the Kennedy assassination.