Although many people have contributed to Utah State University's rise in Tooele from a small extension service to a full-fledged regional campus, few have been more instrumental in recent years in directing that growth than Kathleen Robinson.

Robinson, the executive director of USU Tooele for the past five years, has overseen explosive increases in enrollment, course offerings, degree programs and faculty. She's promoted the Tooele campus well, as higher education here at home -- serving as its public face in the community, an advocate with government leaders and a personal contact with students. When she took over at USU Tooele, the campus was minting around two dozen new graduates a year. This month, it will graduate a class of over 100. That speaks volumes about Robinson's efforts.

She's also helped to map out a 50-year plan that will allow the campus to keep pace with population growth by building additional classrooms, a student center, recreational facilities and even dormitory housing. Spearheading that planning effort showed far-reaching foresight, as Robinson envisioned a campus that currently serves some 2,000 non-traditional and full-time students each year evolving into a traditional university.

USU will now conduct a nationwide search for a dean-level administrator to lead the Tooele campus -- a change that has apparently been in the making for some time. Presumably this individual will be a high-level scholar with significant administrative experience. No doubt this transition bodes well for the campus' future in terms of both academics and general growth. We only hope that the new dean will have the same drive and commitment to Tooele County residents that was evinced by Kathleen Robinson.