Retired Engineering Adviser Honored for Service to USU
Throughout her four-decade tenure at Utah State University, Kathy Bayn devoted herself to the institution, retiring in 2016. Her impactful contributions, spanning across the university, have left an indelible mark on its academic landscape. This has earned her the Emeriti Old Main award.
Kathy Bayn received the Emeriti Old Main award for four decades worth of service to Utah State University.
Bayn’s influence extended to various departments, including the Department of Bacteriology and Public Health, now the Department of Biology, the dean's office in the College of Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Notably, in 1984, she became the first academic adviser in the College of Engineering, a role she excelled in for more than 35 years. Recognized for her accomplishments, Kathy received numerous recognitions, such as the Friends of Students Award in 1997 and 1998, the Outstanding Professional Employee Award in 1994 and the Advising Excellence Award in 1990 from the College of Engineering.
As an academic adviser, Bayn’s organizational skills and coordination allowed her to seamlessly guide 700 students annually in class selection, financial aid navigation, internships and post-graduation planning. Her success garnered her the 2009 Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit from the National Academic Advising Association.
Kathy and her late husband, Bob, a fellow Aggie who graduated with a master’s in 1975 and a doctorate in 1982, have supported many areas of the campus community throughout the years. In 1984, Kathy co-chaired a task force establishing an annual student scholarship funded by staff payroll deductions. Over 33 years, the couple’s own payroll deductions surpassed $100,000 and benefited every college. They also created the Jerry Herr and Kathy Bayn Scholarship Endowment in Civil Engineering.
Post-retirement, Bayn remains engaged in fundraising and serves as a member and past president of the USU Emeriti and Retired Employees Association. She received the Angel Award from USU's Lyric Repertory Company in 2023 for her lifelong attendance and support of arts and events in the Caine College of the Arts. In addition, Bayn created the Bob and Kathy Bayn Music and Theatre Arts Endowment in USU’s Caine College of the Arts. While USU is the greatest beneficiary of Kathy and Bob’s philanthropy, the couple also supported the Cache Valley community for many years through the Cache Food Pantry, the Cache Humane Society, Cache Arts, the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre, CAPSA and many others.
Bayn’s enduring legacy at Utah State University reflects her unwavering dedication, exceptional service and pioneering contributions that have helped the institution for the better.
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Writer: Sydney Dahle, sydney.dahle@usu.edu, 435-797-7512
Contact: Chloe Merrill, chloe.merrill@usu.edu