Presidential communication
The University of Idaho prioritizes and regularly communicates with stakeholders regarding university priorities, initiatives and projects. The Friday Letter, the State of the University address and annual report are the primary communication venues used by the Office of the President.
The Friday Letter
The Friday Letter is U of I’s weekly message from the president to members of the Vandal Family. Each week during the academic year the president offers an update on Vandal teaching and learning, research and scholarship, and notable initiatives and priorities. All are welcome to subscribe to The Friday Letter.
To access prior issues of the Friday Letter, please email libspec@uidaho.edu.
View the latest issue of The Friday Letter
Letter from the President
Office of the President, president@uidaho.edu | Nov. 13, 2026
Dear Vandals,
Few of today’s University of Idaho students were on campus in 2022 when a horrific crime took four precious Vandal lives and left the community devastated. Yet they have embraced the spirit of those lost, honoring their legacy of joy and kindness.
Our students have created the Vandal Week of Remembrance and Kindness to commemorate the lives of late Vandal Family members, including Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.
“A lot of us didn’t know them personally, but we know how much good they did,” said Jacob Scrupps, a junior from Odessa, Washington. “We’ve always been a tight community, and events like this really bring out the best in people. I love to see that.”
Scrupps organized a community 3-on-3 basketball tournament to kick off the week. The event was a tribute to Chapin, who loved basketball, and raised funds for the Ethan’s Smile Foundation and other nonprofit organizations created in memory of the four students.
From there, posterboards around campus invited students to record their acts of kindness, while a food and school supplies drive collected donations for the Vandal Food Pantry and local schools. The Greek community rallied behind the effort with events and fundraisers throughout the week. It culminates today with a remembrance ceremony at the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial.
Each event was chosen with intention. Organizers hope the Vandal Week of Remembrance and Kindness becomes an annual November tradition and continues to support worthy causes.
“All of the activities have a purpose to uplift others and support organizations that have a mission. We want to create a legacy of kindness,” said ASUI Vice President Alma Azócar Agurto, who is from Nampa. “Being a part of this has been a unique experience. It’s helped me reassess what leadership means — to be productive and grow something from all of the emotion around this.”
The week is the latest example of the Vandal Family’s positive response in the wake of tragedy. The Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial, which opened in 2024, is another. The structure and surrounding landscape were designed and constructed by students.
As Vandals juggle class projects and look ahead to final exams next month, a week devoted to remembering others and spreading kindness offers the kind of purpose and perspective that can easily get lost in the shuffle.
Azócar Agurto emphasized the week’s broad reach.
“The events this week are for our whole community,” she said. “It’s a very unifying effort. We’ve seen amazing collaboration between different fraternities and sororities. They are all caring for each other, and that has been a beautiful experience to be a part of.”
Many of our university’s most poignant lessons happen outside the classroom, when students come together to build community. We’re proud of the resilience of the Vandal Family and the relentless positivity our students bring to campus.
Go Vandals!
C. Scott Green
President
Snapshots
Vandal law students headed toward Marines’ judge advocate division
U of I College of Law students Tyler Nelson and Tanner McClain completed Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, a rare feat for active students. Both will join the Marines’ judge advocate division as attorneys after graduating in 2028 and passing the bar.
Learn more.
U of I researchers earn specialty crop block grants
Four U of I projects will share $579,000 in federal Specialty Crop Block Grants awarded through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture. Researchers will test an alternative potato sprout inhibitor, biological controls for potato virus Y, irrigation strategies for beans and onions, and new methods to enable commercial huckleberry production.
Learn more.
Kennedy eyes career in mining after graduation
U of I senior Bailey Kennedy will graduate in December after two mining internships and two field camps. She collected rock samples near Stanley, took detailed notes on rock core samples and worked underground in the Silver Valley. Before applying for mining jobs in the Pacific Northwest, she’ll spend a semester preparing for her geologist licensing exam.
Learn more.
Did you know?
The Vandal women’s basketball team was named the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association National Team of the Week following an 86-75 win over Gonzaga.
State of the University Address
Each year the president of the University of Idaho updates the community on the university’s goals, priorities and initiatives.
Annual report
Each year University of Idaho provides an annual report to the Idaho State Board of Education. The report focuses on the university’s progression on the institutional strategic plan metrics and state board metrics for success.