Rodney Brady
“This institution is here for the students; no question about that. Our primary responsibility is to see that students that attend here…receive the finest education they could possibly get.”
Last year, I had the opportunity to produce a documentary on the history of Weber State University. One of the people I enjoyed getting to meet and interview was Rodney Brady, who passed away this week. Brady served as President of Weber State from 1978 to 1985. He is remembered by many alumni and faculty because of his goal to form Weber State into a superior undergraduate institution. Brady worked hard to inspire faculty and give them tools and resources to excel.
After leaving Weber State, Brady served as President of Bonneville International and later as President and CEO of Deseret Management Corporation from 1996 to his retirement in 2009.
When I interviewed Brady in his home he was quite ill from alzheimer's disease. His family had even prepared a short written statement for him to read because of his lack of stamina. However, when we started recording, it was apparent that his love for Weber State was still very strong. When the time came, Brady steered away from the prepared script, and with what seemed to be all the energy he had, delivered a sincere, unrehearsed message of appreciation for his time as President of Weber State.
Here are a few photographs of Rodney Brady during his tenure at Weber State. Above you can watch a short clip about Brady taken from the documentary I produced last year.
Brady is remembered as someone who championed teaching excellence. Today Weber State University gives out the annual Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor Award to outstanding faculty.
One of Brady's hobbies was running. He ran many marathons and enjoyed putting on events at Weber State where he would race alongside students.
Photos courtesy Weber State University Archives and Lori Memmott Brown.