Bill Graves, Vice President, SunGard Collegis, Inc.
Kermit Hall was a natural and highly effective higher education leader and an admired and respected professional friend. I met him when he was a dean at Ohio State and was later honored to accept his invitation to serve on the Board of Visitors both at Utah State and more recently at the University at Albany. Serving on these short-term boards of external advisors provided an opportunity to observe and respond to his leadership. I remember his vivid statements and determined actions on behalf of students and their success. His dedication to student success and the highest ideals of the academy dictated his energetic, engaging, and successful campus leadership and management style. He was quick to make internal changes to help students meet their goals with newly enhanced university support. He changed the status quo with a sense of urgency wrapped in a habit of openness and fair play, each time resulting in a nearly perfect approximation to the unachievable goal of campus consensus. I add my voice to the chorus that is now celebrating his life and sadly bidding him a fond and heartfelt farewell.

Dr. R. Mark Sullivan, president, College of St. Rose
It is with great sadness and a palpable sense of loss that I offer my condolences to Phyllis Hall, Dr. Hall's family and the entire University at Albany community on the passing of Kermit Hall. Kermit was not only an invaluable Capital Region presidential colleague, he was a good friend and counselor. As soon as he arrived in Albany a year and a half ago to assume his post, we began to work together, virtually on a daily basis. We shared a love for the City of Albany and in the areas of our city which serve our student residents. He had an incredible vision of how our two institutions could work closely together to improve our neighborhoods and our beloved city as a whole. While he often traveled the world, he always focused on opportunities and challenges close by.

Speaking personally for a moment, I will miss him terribly and will pledge to continue the good work he inspired all of us to do to make the city, the state and the world a better place. Kathy and I offer our thoughts and prayers to Phyllis and Kermit's family as we mourn the sudden and untimely passing of a truly wonderful friend and internationally acclaimed university leader.

Dana Pon
Even though I did not know Kermit Hall very well, I know that the University at Albany will not be the same without him. He was a good and kind man, who I honestly believe cared about each and every single one of us.

I remember reading the ASP and hearing about how Kermit Hall, our new President, went out to the bars interviewing students and "asking" them how they felt about the university. I remember thinking to myself: who in the heck does that? Not many professors, let alone presidents of universities, would do such a thing. President Kermit Hall was an exception to every single rule I thought existed.

Kermit Hall believed in being accessible to students. He would go to ball games, speak at graduations, but most importantly he would always make time for a student in need. In how many universities will one find a president who will take time answer a question a student asks in less than 7 days? How many presidents administer surveys to students and pay them so he could figure out ways to improve the university experience? How many presidents donate $10,000 dollars out of their own pocket to contribute to a scholarship fund? Not many.

Kermit Hall was only our university President for a little over a year, but in that year he has truly made a difference in our lives. Kermit Hall was more than a President of the University. He was like a father to us; wanting to make sure all of his "kids" would do well. His great interpersonal skills were evident by his actions. Many people promise to achieve many goals, but what differentiates Kermit Hall from "many" people is he "accomplished" many goals.

Kermit Hall was not like many people. I think many will agree that Kermit Hall was one of a kind. As one of his "kids" I would like to say I will miss the "father" of this university. I usually would not take the effort to write anything for anyone, but again, Kermit Hall is an exception to every single rule I thought existed. My sincere condolences go out to his family. Please know that we were truly blessed to have Kermit Hall as our University President.

Kevin Wilcox
In reflecting on President Hall's all too short tenure here at UAlbany, I now realize that over the last 18 months or so, I have just acquired a most thorough lesson in leadership. The impact President Hall has had on UAlbany and the Capital District is truly startling even before considering the short time he has has been here. More importantly, he pushed agendas and initiatives that were not going to be easy to accomplish, but, upon deeper consideration, were absolutely necessary and the correct courses of action — he just realized it before the rest of us. I believe his ability to quickly identify the issues that were core to improving UAlbany and the community, his understanding that the best way to truly address these issues was usually not the easiest approach, and his willingness to lead the charge to address these issues with such vigor and commitment that he made believers out of doubters is, simply put, the definition of leadership.

Brent McGrady
As I enter my senior year at the University at Albany, and my third year as a Resident Assistant at this wonderful university, I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to President Hall's wife Phyllis and his family, and also to the University community. This is a very hard time for the University as we were looking forward to a fantastic future with President Hall, and his legacy will be remembered well into the future at this fine institution. Over the last few years, the University has begun to grow at an extraordinary rate and it has made my job as a Resident Assistant on campus more challenging, but most importantly, more rewarding. I am glad to have been able to meet and speak with President Hall as he truly was an amazing man who cared for the students more than anyone else and touched so many lives. From my perspective, that is the most important thing that he left behind, and it will not be forgotten as we continue to move forward building on what Kermit Hall started here not too long ago.

Katie Reed
President Kermit Hall was an inspiration to myself and to many others. I both respected and admired President Hall, and I will miss him dearly. I got to know President Hall better while attending the Long Island Road Scholar Tour. He was funny and genuine, and really cared about students. Upon hearing of his untimely death, it felt as though my heart had shattered. I didn't want to believe he was really gone. I will cherish every conversation we had, and carry him fondly in my memory. This semester, he would have been my professor, too. I've lost a President, a teacher, and a friend. Rest in peace Kermit. I hope to help carry on your legacy any way I can. Speaking on behalf of all the students here at the University at Albany, we want to make you proud.

Heather Gebo
When I first met President Hall at a student leader luncheon, he was greeting all the students and introducing himself. When he passed by me, he read my name tag and saw that I was president of the Pride Alliance. He then stopped to give me his business card and said that he wanted me to know he fully supported my organization and that he would be happy to sit down with the e-board of Pride and figure out how he could help the group and the UAlbany LGBT community. That was the wonderful thing about having President Hall here as part of the UAlbany community — he backed us up 100% and in only a brief moment could make a welcoming impression and lasting impact. We were truly blessed to have him for the short time we did, and my hope is that we can join together to live out his vision and hopes for the future of University at Albany. He will be greatly missed.

Maritza Martinez
Our University has lost a tremendous leader, scholar and humanitarian. It is a rare person who can make such a tremendous mark in such a short period of time. His shoes will be difficult to fill. However, we find ourselves in a state of deep mourning as a campus while moving forward as we prepare ourselves for the return of our beloved student body and their education. We have a vision that was laid down for us and in honor of this man, we need and we will carry it to fruition because that is the quality University that we are. Our prayers are with Phyllis Hall and with those who knew him better than the majority of us ever got to know him. He was one in a million and he will be missed. Que la paz sea contigo Kermit Hall! (Peace be with you Kermit Hall).

Nicholas Fahrenkopf
President Hall was one of a kind. No other administrator cared so deeply about students- not only listening to problems large and small, but solving them as well. It's been said he was just as likely to be in a meeting with a concerned student, as he was to be meeting with the Governor. Well, he was also just as likely to be playing basketball with the men's basketball team at the Governor's Mansion, as he was chatting it up on the courts on Empire Commons. He was just as likely to laugh and joke with students, as he was convincing John Murphy he missed an (imaginary) important meeting.

He was a role model- an idol for me. Not only because of the interactions he had with students and high ranking officials above, but also in his fierce dedication to this campus, and the Albany area, as well as the greatness he saw in both. Even before he was sworn in he was meeting with local politicians (and students of course). From day one he put his heart and soul into this place, and by this place I mean a University connected to its community: both geographically, and the community of higher education (China, St Rose, RPI, HVCC). It was such unquestionable loyalty into these places that really inspired me. I've lived here all my life, and here was this guy, who just moved to the area, doing all this for UAlbany, and Albany. He made me want to pick up my game. He made me want to care about every student or community member's problem, and do everything in my power to help them. Granted he had a little bit more pull than I did, but he made me try to help.

Hall was such a visionary leader, you couldn't help but follow him. His enthusiasm, and the dedication I mentioned above, really infected the rest of the campus community. I look at each and every vice president at UAlbany and see aspects of Hall showing through: Herbst has the same sense of humor and speaking style, Kaloyeros with the collaborative efforts, McElroy believing in UAlbany's greatness, Anderson with the loyalty, and so on. Hall's attitude was infectious and his actions will live on for a very long time through the many administrators and students he has touched. And then the people that these administrators and students touch.

Kermit Hall was a great man- there is no debating that. He will be missed greatly- there aren't words to accurately express the ways in which UAlbany, and Albany will miss him. My thoughts are with his family, for as much as we'd like to think we knew him, his family knew him better. Especially his lovely wife Phyllis- always by his side, smiling in support. Phyllis, the world mourns with you: UAlbany, Albany, China, Utah, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Florida... the list goes on. All these places that he has made his mark are now remembering his work, and missing his energy.

Nicholas Chiuchiolo, President, Student Association
On behalf of the students at the University at Albany, I would like to extend deepest sympathies and condolences to President Hall's wife, Phyllis, and family. In just a short time, President Hall's vision and leadership brought the University to a new level. Kermit Hall's outlook was one of compassion and devotion to students. The University at Albany, and its students, have lost a great friend and first-rate President. I urge all students to keep President Hall's family in their thoughts and prayers.

Yu Lizhong, President, East China Normal University
Shocked and grieved to learn of the untimely demise of Dr. Kermit Hall, President of the University at Albany, State University of New York, in a tragic swimming accident on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006. I, on behalf of East China Normal University, my colleagues and myself, extend to Mrs. Hall and President Hall's family and the University at Albany community which has lost a great leader and friend our greatest sympathy and deepest condolences on this tragic occasion and for this tremendous loss.

President Hall was a distinguished scholar and renowned university leader with his vision, integrity and dynamism. It was under his leadership and guidance that the University at Albany has been advancing its pace of internationalization of education and hence we two institutions of higher learning on both sides of the Pacific Ocean came together for the promotion of academic advancement and collaboration for brighter future of our students.

We, the community of East China Normal University, shall cherish the memory of President Hall as a true and sincere friend and the chief architect of SUNY-Albany-ECNU friendship. His great contribution to the establishment of the friendship and collaboration between our two institutions shall always be remembered. We join the University at Albany community in mourning the loss of your great leader.

Please convey my deepest condolences and kindest regards to Mrs. Phyllis Hall and the other members of the bereaved family.