Williams' vision in the Uintah Basin becomes land of Utah State opportunity
A new era for higher education in the Uintah Basin has been ushered in with an immensely generous $5.3 million gift of land from Robert H. Williams and his family to Utah State University—the second largest gift from an individual to the university in its 118-year history.
A ceremony attended by more than 160 community dignitaries, university leaders and friends of the Williams family was held March 2006 at the Utah Field House of Natural History in Vernal. The ceremony celebrated the significance of the gift and the important role it will play in the future of the Uintah Basin.
The total property gifted to the university is 138 acres—33 acres larger than the size of USU's original Logan campus back in 1888. The Vernal property borders 500 North (Maeser Highway), just south of Uintah High School.
USU President Stan Albrecht said the gift's timing could not have been better.
“Utah State University is on the edge of a tremendous transformation,” Albrecht said.
"USU was established as a state institution and not just a Logan-based school. This property, along with other USU properties in Roosevelt, will one day house a full-fledged Uintah Basin campus. It signals the beginning of a Utah State University system comprised of strong regional campuses statewide."
Driving to and from his ranch each day for more than 30 years, Williams said he had always admired the property across from Uintah High School. One early morning, however, he saw it differently. "That would certainly be a great place for a college campus," Williams recalls thinking. He said it was the first time the idea struck him, but as he drove on to work, the thought "would not go away."
Once the inspiration hit, Williams could barely contain his excitement. "I would wake up in the morning with tears in my eyes and go to bed with tears in my eyes," he said. "That is when I decided that there's no way it's NOT going to happen."
Fueled by his passion based on a clear vision of what gifting the property to USU "would do for the Uintah Basin," Williams used his trademark determination and business savvy to make the gift a reality. Overcoming some initial hurdles, he acquired the property and immediately conveyed the prime acreage and all necessary water rights to Utah State University in December 2005.
“It's a wonderful piece of property, a wonderful place for a USU campus,” said Robert L. Foley '97MBA, Vernal resident and member of the USU Board of Trustees.
"Bob is quiet and unassuming; he likes to stay in the background. But to do this for the community says an awful lot about his character and his vision. He just came forward out of the wild blue."
Albrecht praised Williams for his generosity and vision. He said it is a reflection of a community that places a premium on post-high school education.
"To Bob Williams and his family, I say 'thank you,' not only for what you are doing for Utah State University, but for what you are doing for all the residents of the Uintah Basin," Albrecht said. "The impact of this benevolent act will be felt and appreciated for generations."
