Dr. Stanford Orson Cazier assumed the position as twelfth president of Utah State University after the retirement of former president Glen L. Taggart in April 1979. He served in that capacity through June 1991. President Cazier came to the office of president at Utah State after serving eight years as president of Chico State University in California. Prior to his appointment as President of Chico State, Cazier served on the faculty at Utah State for eleven years. He began his career at Utah State as an instructor in the History Department in 1964, advancing to the position of full professor, and eventually serving as department head. During his eleven years at Utah State, Cazier also served as vice provost, and assistant to President Glen L. Taggart.

A native of Utah, Cazier was born in Nephi, Juab County, Utah, on June 11, 1930. He graduated from Juab High School before enrolling at the University of Utah where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1952. After completion of his bachelor's degree, Stanford married Shirley Anderson. Following his marriage, Cazier resumed his education at the University of Utah, where he earned his masters degree in 1956. For his masters degree, Cazier chose to examine the life of the statesman William Henry Hooper. Following his studies at the University of Utah he began work towards his doctoral degree from the University if Wisconsin. Cazier accepted a position at Bronx Community College in New York in 1959, before coming to Utah State University as an instructor in history in 1960. Cazier finished his dissertation, entitling it "CARE: A Study In Cooperative Voluntary Relief," while teaching at Utah State in 1964. Cazier progressed rapidly through the faculty ranks, becoming an assistant professor in 1962, and associate professor in 1968, and a full professor in 1969.

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 1980's.

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 capped the administration of President Cazier as over $100 million was added to the university's physical plant. Some of the buildings constructed on campus during Cazier's tenure include: The Eccles Conference Center, Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, Caine Dairy Center (not located on campus), Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Emma Eccles Jones Education Building, David B. Haight Alumni Center, the University Inn, and the S.J. Quinney Natural Resources Building. Many of these buildings came as a result of increased development activity during Cazier's presidency. Between 1980 and 1991, gifts and endowments increased from approximately $3.5 million dollars annually to over $9 million annually.

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