August 4, 2009
Dear University of Idaho Alumni and Friends:
Here in the Alumni Office, we all are preparing for fall semester and upcoming activities with excitement and pride. The start of classes and a busy Vandal sports calendar make for a vibrant, active campus. Our traditional events of Dads' Weekend, Ag Days and Homecoming are always popular and festive. In addition, 2009 is an anniversary celebration for several of our colleges, departments and campus groups. We are proud to help celebrate and promote these anniversary gatherings and celebrations:
- 100 Years of Forestry Education in the College of Natural Resources
- The College of Law Centennial
- Student Alumni Relations Board 40 year anniversary
- University of Idaho Retirees Association 30 year anniversary
We hope you can visit the Moscow campus and enjoy the festivities and reconnect with faculty, staff and classmates!
Also, all incoming freshmen this fall are taking part in the Common Read program and will read "Deep Economy" by Bill McKibben before arriving on campus. The themes and ideas from the book will be incorporated into classes and activities during fall semester. I encourage you to read the book, too, and connect with this campus activity. Learn more here. Link to http://www.students.uidaho.edu/summerread
Steven C. Johnson '71
Executive Director of Alumni Relations
Idaho GOLD Sub-Sandwich and Kickball Game in Portland - August 6
Vandal Night with the Boise Hawks in Boise - August 13
Thirsty Thursday in Twin Falls - August 20
Thirsty Thursday in Middleton - August 20 (stay tuned for more details)
Sandpoint Alumni Chapter Cruise on Lake Pend Oreille - August 21
North Idaho Vandal Celebration in Coeur d'Alene - August 26
Baseball and fun with the Portland Beavers in Portland - August 27
Vandal Pride Days in Seattle - September 10-12
Celebrating 100 years of Forestry Education in Moscow - September 11-13
Vandal Legends Event in Seattle - September 11
UIRA Fall Luncheon in Moscow - September 16
First Vandal Golf-Divot Digger Reunion in Moscow - September 18
University of Idaho Night at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise - September 24
2009 Vandal Football Schedule
Event information for these and other social connection opportunities can be found at www.idahovandals.com.
Something to Brag About...
The University of Idaho Women's Golf Team has been honored as the recipient of the 2008-09 National Golf Coaches Association All-Scholar Team GPA Award. This award recognizes the women's collegiate golf program with the highest collective average team GPA. Idaho's seven team members had an average GPA of 3.780.
Alen Mahic from Boise captured the first place award in the chair portion of Fresh Wood, a national student woodworking competition. Mahic designed and built the chair, entitled "Cinnamon Roll," while completing his bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture this spring. Made of Baltic Birch plywood, the chair's design is one continuous line that folds into itself to create two pieces: a chair and an ottoman. [more]
Campus View
Bringing Back the Cupola
Art and Architecture South Building Reclaims its History
The Art and Architecture South Building is one of the oldest structures on the University of Idaho campus. It was built in 1904 and originally served as the University's Armory and women's gymnasium. It now houses Architecture and Interior Design faculty and administration offices, student design studios and a computer lab. It's one of four University-owned building on the National Register of Historic Structures - the others being the Administration Building, Ridenbaugh Hall and Memorial Gym. [more]
Katrina Update
TULANE UNIVERSITY EXPRESSES THANKS
This past spring, Tulane University marked the graduation of its "Katrina Class" - those students who were on that campus for a few hours before leaving in August 2005 as Hurricane Katrina bore down on the Gulf Coast. Damage from storm forced Tulane to close for the semester. The University of Idaho community took in Tulane students - into classrooms, residence halls, homes and hearts - to enable their education to continue as seamlessly as possible under very challenging circumstances.
"The University of Idaho reached out with compassion on so many levels to help Katrina students-not only on an academic level, but on a personal level," says Provost Doug Baker. "It's heartening to know that this special corps of students has attained a milestone in their journey. Certainly, the events of Katrina transformed not only their lives, but ours as well."
During Tulane's May 16, 2009, commencement ceremonies, the university paid special tribute to its Katrina Class and listed the University of Idaho in its program to honor and acknowledge the Idaho welcome and aid offered.
"I will always be grateful to the higher education community for what you did for our students and for Tulane," Tulane President Scott S. Cowen wrote to the University of Idaho. "We will never forget your kindness and generosity. Thank you."
Alumni Success
Duff Bikes 1,100 Miles Across Idaho for Habitat
Jim Duffield '67 did not want to do a normal charity banquet, so he decided to ride his bike all the way across Idaho to raise awareness and money for Habitat for Humanity.
Duffield started his ride on June 24 at the Idaho-Utah border south of Fish Haven on the west shore of Bear Lake. He reached the Canadian border on July 23, pedaling a total of 1,100 miles. [more]
Vandal Visa
Click HERE to sign up today!
Joe Knows
...VANDAL LICENSE PLATES ARE COOL
Show your Vandal Pride where ever you go! When you purchase and display a commemorative Idaho Vandal automobile license plate, you also support the general scholarship fund of the University of Idaho.
In addition to vehicle registration fees, the customized license plate costs $60 for the first year, and a $40 renewal feed each year thereafter. Of the fee, $25 in the first year and $15 for each renewal will go to support University of Idaho student scholarships. If you live out of Idaho, you may still purchase a souvenir display license plate for your office or den!
Your generous support of this program has generated more than $200,000 toward the University of Idaho general scholarship fund during the last seven years, and more than $20,000 in the last year. Get your Vandal plates here.