President Daryl Chase papers
Scope and Contents
President Daryl Chase papers include correspondence, personal papers, and other files that document Chase’s activities as the tenth President of Utah State University (USU). Most of the included materials concern USU operations between 1954-1968, and cover a wide variety of changes on a federal, state and university level including civil rights, international relations, and religion.
One of these major changes was the transition from "Ag College" to a State University, which was brought on by the institution significantly increased overall enrollment, international enrollment, building projects, campus growth and its change from a training facility to a research institution.
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Dates
- Creation: 1900-1982, predominantly 1940-1982
Conditions Governing Access
Access to some files is restricted due to GRAMA and FERPA laws. Not available through interlibrary loan.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the President Daryl Chase papers must be obtained from the University Archivist and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical / Historical
Early Life/Career
Daryl Chase was born January 15, 1909 in Nephi, Utah to his parents James Dale and Emma Dale Draper Chase. He married to Alice Koford in 1935. Chase received his education from the University of Utah and the University of Chicago and began his teaching career in Preston, Idaho. Later, he became the Director of the Institute of Religion at Idaho State, University of Wyoming, University of Arizona and finally at Utah State University (USU). Chase also served as a USU Dean of Students 1945-1951 and the President of the Branch Agricultural College (BAC) and was involved in changing BAC’s name to Southern Utah State College, now known as Southern Utah University.
USU President
Chase became president of USU in 1954. In 1957 the Utah Legislature changed college’s status from Utah State Agricultural College to Utah State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and later shortened to just Utah State University. Chase was known for increasing USU’s campus building projects, student enrollment by 250%, international student population by 800%, degrees awarded, and faculty. Chase encouraged USU’s faculty to pursue additional education opportunities and he fought for increased salaries. In 1960 his influence prompted the Board of Trustees to create regional extension centers. Notably, Chase received many awarded over his lifetime including the Order of the Crown by the Shah of Iran and Outstanding Civilian Service.
Death
After being ill for some time, Chase passed on January 26, 1984 at the age 83.
Extent
106 Linear Feet (215 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
President Daryl Chase papers include correspondence, personal papers, and other files that document Chase’s activities as the tenth President of Utah State University.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series. Series I was originally obtained directly from the President's Office and the physical ordering of the files is assumed to represent the original order. The arrangement of this finding aid reflects an intellectual order of Chase’s professional and personal activities. The physical order and numbering of items is second to the intellectual ordering of this collection.
I. Presidential Correspondence and Office Files: Includes the sub-series Alphabetical and Chronological and By Topic
II. Personal Correspondence, Reasearch files, and Assorted Files: This series includes Chase’s research materials on various religions and religious figures. Also included are papers related to Chase’s time as emeritus president. Some projects included are the Man and His Daily Bread Museum (Jensen Historical Farm), the Center for the Causes of War and the Conditions of Peace (Peace Center), other materials addressing the history of USU, and his personal papers. These files were originally a part of an addendum and are assumed to have had an original arrangement that was separate from the files taken directly from Chase’s office.
- Title
- Guide to President Daryl Chase Papers
- Author
- Kelly Rovegno and Abbie Chesley
- Date
- 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu