2019 Newsletters

Happy 2019! I hope your holidays were happy and relaxing, and that you have been much better at keeping your New Year’s resolutions than I have.

Some may consider January through March long, dark, dreary months, but if you are a Vandal, the fun really doesn’t stop when the new year starts. We have so much to celebrate it can’t be limited to a single season of the year.

The University of Idaho Alumni Association’s annual Silver & Gold Award Celebration will be held Jan. 24 in Boise and is always a wonderful gathering of the Vandal Family. We also have the Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala to look forward to on Feb. 7. This year’s VSF celebration – thanks to a volunteer committee led by dedicated alumnae Mallory Cook and Heather Stegner – promises to be one of the best.

In addition to a gourmet meal at an elegant venue with your fellow Vandals, the evening includes both silent and live auctions featuring a wide range of items, services and experiences. The gala is one of the primary fundraising events held by VSF – every dollar raised helps to support our student-athletes.Details about the gala and how to register are available here.

Alumni and VSF members in the Magic Valley also are gathering to benefit student-athletes.

This year’s WinterFest will be held at the Stonehouse in Twin Falls on Friday, Feb. 8. The social and silent auction begin at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. This is a family friendly event. More information the event and how to RSVP is available by contacting Nathan Jerke at jerke03@hotmail.com.

Both events promise to be great fun for a great cause. I hope to see you there.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, ’81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 24 – Ada County Silver and Gold Award Celebration, Boise, Idaho
Jan. 28 – Vandaleers Choir Concert, Boise, Idaho
Jan. 30 – Vandaleers Choir Concert, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Feb. 1 – Vandal Night at the Spokane Chiefs, Spokane, Washington
Feb. 7 – Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala, Boise, Idaho
Feb. 8 – Winterfest VSF benefit, Twin Falls, Idaho
Feb. 9 – Vandals at TriplePlay, Hayden, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Presidential Search Taking Shape

In 2019 the University of Idaho will have new leadership. The screening committee has been working, and applications are coming in. The committee met in December to finalize the dates and process for providing the Idaho State Board of Education five candidates to interview and evaluate. From this group, the new university president will be hired.

By Feb. 12, the committee will evaluate all candidates and then work together to narrow the applicant pool to the top 10. The committee will conduct interviews and recommend five finalists for the position. These five candidates will visit the Moscow campus and interact with faculty, staff, students and leadership in late February or early March. The board will conduct interviews in late March and select the new president.

The position profile and other search information is available on the presidential search website (https://www.uidaho.edu/presidential-search) . Feedback on the candidates will be collected on the website after the visits. This is an exciting and important opportunity for the university, and we hope everyone will participate in the process.

Thank you for your support of the University of Idaho.

Emma Atchley
Hiring Committee Chair
Member of the Idaho State Board of Education

Don Soltman
Member of the Idaho State Board of Education

Annual Report & Strategic Plan
2017-2018 Update

Throughout 2017-2018, with our Strategic Plan as a roadmap, the University of Idaho has continued to deliver confident and innovative leadership across our multifaceted mission. Our success is testament to the commitment and dedication of our students, faculty, employees, alumni and friends who believe in the work we do and the goals we’ve set. And we’ve made exciting progress. This report offers a chance to share our accomplishments over the past year and provide quantitative assessments of our programs.

Game Day T-shirt Design Contest

Calling all Vandal fans! Leave your mark on campus by designing the 2019 Game Day T-Shirt. These shirts are given to each incoming first-year student at our signature Vandal Walk, and are available for purchase at the Vandal Store. The contest is open to all members of the Vandal Family.

Submissions are due February 27.

Vandal Voyagers Travel Program

Alaska's Glaciers and the Inside Passage
July 13-20, 2019

Cruise through the Inside Passage from Vancouver to Juneau aboard the exclusively chartered Five-Star, small ship Le Soléal. During naturalist-led Zodiac excursions and from the comfort of your own spacious, ocean-view accommodations, enjoy superior views of Alaska’s spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. Experience unspoiled islands and fjords and historic gold-rush-era towns.

It is hard to imagine how the Moscow campus looked 130 years ago this week when the University of Idaho was founded. January on the Palouse means there probably was snow on the ground, gray skies and wind whistling through the prairie grasses. There was no administration building, no towering pines, no groomed lawns.

And yet, the pioneers of the Idaho Territory saw the great potential to be realized by investing in the education of their children. Both houses of the Territorial Legislature approved “Bill No. 20” on Jan. 29, 1889; then-Gov. Edward Stevenson signed the bill creating the University of Idaho located in Moscow 130 years ago today, Jan. 30, 1889. A year later, the territory would become the state of Idaho.

In a sense, the state of Idaho and the University of Idaho have grown up together, each supporting the other with resources, innovation and problem-solving. The impact of the university on the state’s economy – especially the stalwart sectors of agriculture, natural resources, mining and engineering – continues today. The impact of U of I on the heart and history of the state through the arts and social sciences also continues, capturing and celebrating the essence of what it means to be an Idahoan. As Vandals, we can be proud of our role in Idaho’s growth and prosperity.

Think of the generations of the Vandals who have received their degrees, and then returned to their Idaho communities to serve as teachers, farmers, engineers, inventors, reporters, miners, scientists, entrepreneurs, musicians, dancers and business owners. Think of the generations of Vandals who, because of their experience at our alma mater, have stepped up to serve on school boards, city councils and the state legislature and in the halls of the U.S. Congress. Think of the generations of Vandals who have raised their children to step up in the same ways in the future.

So, happy U of I Founding Day! They don’t make a greeting card for the occasion, but it is definitely a day to take a moment and be proud and thankful to be associated with an amazing institution.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, ’81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 1 – Vandal Night at the Spokane Chiefs, Spokane, Washington
Feb. 7 – Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala, Boise, Idaho
Feb. 8 – Winterfest VSF benefit, Twin Falls, Idaho
Feb. 9 – Vandals at TriplePlay, Hayden, Idaho
Feb. 19 – Policy Pub, Washington D.C.
Feb. 22 – Vandal Ski Weekend at Lookout Pass, Idaho/Montana border
March 1 – Vandal Ski Day Kickoff, McCall, Idaho
March 2 – Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

BOB AND MARCIA ROSS '71
Rooted in Vandal Country, Growing the Future

There are many benefits of being in the Vandal family. For many, it’s the relationships forged on campus that last a lifetime. For others, it’s the support and encouragement of a global community. Still others enjoy the many opportunities to explore and discover their passions. For Bob ’71 and Marcia ’71 Ross, it’s all of those — and more.

Game Day T-shirt Design Contest

Calling all Vandal fans! Leave your mark on campus by designing the 2019 Game Day T-Shirt. These shirts are given to each incoming first-year student at our signature Vandal Walk, and are available for purchase at the Vandal Store. The contest is open to all members of the Vandal Family.

Submissions are due February 27 to sarb@uidaho.edu.

Update Your Alumni Record

You've likely traveled to far-off places to discover new things. Drop us a line about your achievements while you're out blazing trails, and we'll be here to keep the Vandal connection.

Click Here >>

Special guest column by U of I career Services Director Chris Cook

Whether you are exploring a new career, seeking a new opportunity within the same field or looking to expand your professional network and connect with fellow Vandals, the University of Idaho is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals. To that end, we are proud to offer the full breadth of Career Services that were available to you as a student for life.

Alumni are encouraged to take advantage of our full range of services, which are designed exclusively for Vandal graduates. For example, if you are considering a career change or just need a professional tune-up, we stand ready to assist. Whether you are in Moscow, Idaho or Moscow, Russia, we will work with you to maximize your professional potential. We have a full range of communications tools at the ready to close the geographic gap. We work in person, over the phone, Zoom, Skype and email to deliver our services to you where you are.

Since networking and targeted research continue to be highly effective methods for finding a job that matches your skills and experience, you will find robust tools on our website to help you make valuable connections and identify potential employers and industry trends. If you are looking to work abroad, our Goin’ Global system is full of job and internship opportunities around the world. Our Handshake system enables you to search for jobs, research organizations, attend regional and virtual career events and stay connected with fellow Vandals. These are just two of the many tools you will find on our site.

When you signed on the dotted line to become a University of Idaho Vandal, you became part of a family. You made a commitment to the university and yourself to be a part of something much larger than any one person. You worked hard and you were rewarded with a degree. In return, the University of Idaho made a commitment to you. Career Services is just one of the many departments that have your back for life.

You can learn more at our website. If you’d like to make an appointment with a career advisor, please call us at 208-885-6121 or email us at careerservices@uidaho.edu.

We wish you every success.

Go Vandals!

Chris Cook, Director
Career Services
University of Idaho

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 19 – Policy Pub, Washington D.C 
Feb. 22 – Vandal Ski Weekend at Lookout Pass, Idaho/Montana border
March 1 – Vandal Ski Day Kickoff, McCall, Idaho
March 2 – Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
March 2 – Phi Gamma Delta 99th Mu Iota Pig Dinner, Moscow, Idaho
March 8 – Treasure Valley Vandal Night with the Steelheads, Boise, Idaho
March 15 – Boise GOLD St. Patty's Day Event, Boise, Idaho
March 21 – Spring Training with the Vandals, Arizona

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Alumni Association Director Spotlight

We asked our Alumni Association directors to reflect on their time as students, and share their experience as volunteers.

Rick Sparks ‘80
UIAA Director representing North Idaho
B.S. Business Management
National Account Manager, eCommerce at Schwan Food Company

Q. What was your favorite or most rewarding class? Why?
A. Business Marketing. It taught me to understand and meet the needs of consumers.

Q. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. U of I provided a great foundation with networking and involvement opportunities.

Q. Why do you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. I am a proud Vandal and am happy to give back and drive engagement.

Q. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time at U of I? Why?
A. Randy Byers and Dr. Gibb. They both modeled engagement with and worked in concert as mentors for me.

Q. Share a treasured memory, either from when you were a student, or after graduating?
A. Riding a horse in the homecoming parade to the steps of the Corner Club.

Thanks Rick!

The UIAA Board of Directors is an elected body that governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for the U of I.

Benefits and Services Highlight - Alumni Directory

The printed and bound alumni directory has been replaced with a free online version thanks to the professional social media platform, LinkedIn. With a network of over 50,000 alumni, you can search by name, keyword, title or company. Let your connections begin.

Greetings, all!

The news release just issued by the Idaho Board of Education naming the five finalists for the University of Idaho presidency.

It was an honor to represent the Vandal Family on the search committee, and I am truly excited about the slate of candidates we ended up with. They are smart, energetic visionaries who have a passion for higher education and the great possibilities at our alma mater.

Please click on the link at the bottom of the news release to see the interview schedule of each candidate and participate as you are able. The best approach is to make your way to the nearest U of I center and attend the open forums, but I understand that is not possible for many of you. In an effort to provide a uniform experience for each of our finalists, the university-wide afternoon open forums will be accessible in real time online with university credentials. Recordings of these open forums will be posted Friday evening and will be available for public viewing through 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday, March 11. And, no matter how you participate, please, please be sure to share your thoughts with IBOE members via the online portal posted on the web site.

The board is planning to interview the candidates later this month and make a decision shortly thereafter. The new president will begin his/her in mid-June, and we are working hard to develop a plan that gets him/her to alumni chapter and other key locations in state and out as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance for your engagement and support in this critical process.

Warm regards and Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 28 – Vandal Women's Basketball Pregame, Portland, Oregon
March 1 – Vandal Ski Day Kickoff, McCall, Idaho
March 2 – Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
March 2 – Phi Gamma Delta 99th Mu Iota Pig Dinner, Moscow, Idaho
March 8 – Treasure Valley Vandal Night with the Steelheads, Boise, Idaho
March 11-16 – Big Sky Basketball Tournament, Boise, Idaho
March 19, 20 – GradFest, Moscow, Idaho
March 15 – Boise GOLD St. Patty's Day Event, Boise, Idaho
March 21, 22 – Spring Training with the Vandals, Arizona
March 24 – 12th Annual Arizona Chapter Golf Tournament  

View more events on the alumni calendar.  

The Perfect Fit

Holly Hale always knew she was destined to be a Vandal.

Both of her parents graduated from the University of Idaho and Hale knew early on that she wanted a career in agriculture. U of I was the perfect fit.

Casey Doyle Aims to Elevate Dialogue About LGBTQ Rights Through Art

When Casey Doyle contacted a local landowner about using his wheat field to perform his artwork — or bring movement to two large-scale sculptures he made of diamond engagement rings — he didn’t know what to expect.

Benefits and Services Highlight

Travel and Tours

Travel is considered a continuing education program and provides alumni and friends an opportunity to learn more about the University of Idaho and the benefits of being a part of the Alumni Association. The program affords participants the chance to maintain contact with the university while learning about international and domestic locations among the camaraderie of fellow alumni and friends.

The snow is belly-button deep at my house, and more is on the way. The temperatures are frigid and the sky is gray. The dogs have started to run the opposite direction when I call them to go outside, and frankly, I don’t blame them.

So, what better time to do some heavy duty, armchair travel? With a glass of Vandals Uncorked wine and a laptop, I love cruising the Vandal Voyager website to dream about the possibilities of visiting warmer climes and different destinations.

The Vandal Voyager Travel Program was created decades ago to provide alumni – lifelong learners, of course, because they were educated at U of I – a way to see the world with their fellow Vandals. The Office of Alumni Relations works with professional travel providers to pick trips that open the door to exotic and exciting locations in country and out.

This year, for example, you could immerse yourself in the culture of the southern U.S. with a river boat cruise from Memphis to New Orleans. Or, how about spending a week in Tuscany, feasting on delicious Italian food and wines? There’s an opportunity to cruise the Nile and see the Pyramids or travel the Mediterranean from Rome to Barcelona.

Traditionally, most of the excursions have been cruises, and those are still a great option. We are expanding, however, to include more land-based trips. We also are exploring trips designed specifically for those interested in service learning – that is, working on a project to benefit the country you are visiting. In 2020, we will offer a European trip specifically designed for new grads – what a great graduation present that would be!

Personally, I have my eye on the July 2020 trip to Ireland. Thoughts of touring the Emerald Isle, tipping a pint of Guinness and enjoying some Celtic cuisine and company may be just enough to get me through this winter. And, I didn’t even have to pack a suitcase.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

March 13-16 – Big Sky Basketball Tournament pregame events, Boise, Idaho
March 15 – Boise GOLD St. Patty's Day Event, Boise, Idaho
March 19,20 – GradFest, Moscow, Idaho
March 21, 22 – Spring Training with the Vandals, Goodyear & Tempe, Arizona
March 21 – Seattle Alumni Reception with Deans, Seattle, Washington
March 24 – 12th Annual Arizona Chapter Golf Tournament, Phoenix, Arizona
April 3 – Golden I Reunion (50+years since graduation), Moscow, Idaho
April 4 – Latah County Silver and Gold Award Celebration, Moscow, Idaho
April 5-7 – Moms' Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
April 7 – Silver and Gold Day, U of I Alumni Association Founding
April 12 – Theta Chi 60 Year Reunion

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Presidential Search Update
Candidates Interview With SBOE Thursday

The Idaho State Board of Education will conduct interviews this week with presidential candidates.

The interviews will occur in executive session at the Board Office at 650 W. State Street, Boise on March 14, 2019.

Listed in alphabetical order, the University of Idaho president finalists are:

Christopher Callahan – Founding Dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University

Diane Z. Chase – Executive Vice President and Provost of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Scott Green – Global Chief Operating Officer and Financial Officer of Hogan Lovells, an international law firm

Elizabeth Spiller – Dean of the College of Letters and Science at the University of California, Davis

A fifth University of Idaho finalist, Paul Tikalsky has withdrawn from consideration. The Board’s intent is to name new presidents at both institutions by April.

These statements have been taken from a SBOE press release issued March 11.

Beyond Borders
CALS student studies abroad in Thailand

Logan Heflin discovered studying abroad is about much more than exploring a new country — it enables lifelong camaraderie, eliminates cultural barriers and provides people with a broadened perspective of the world around them.

A sophomore at the University of Idaho majoring in biotechnology and plant genetics in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), Heflin spent fall 2018 studying at Mahidol University in Salaya, Thailand, just west of Bangkok.

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight

Sean Wilson '97
UIAA Director-at-large, Latah County
B.A. General Studies

We caught up with Alumni Association directors and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. Geology of the North West. I found if fascinating. Knowing about the ground below us - how it formed and its attributes helped me greatly.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. Teaching me how to interact with people. I wasn't aware of the power of language. I now know it's importance and use it to be a high functioning communicator.

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. It's an honor to be asked to serve this institution in this manner, and the people are a whole lot of fun - always have been.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Mickey Gunter (distinguished professor emeritus, department of Geology). On every test he made us answer this question "Where will you not build or buy a house?" The answer was "in a floodplain."

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. Being able to finish classes and still go play in the woods on weekends. I did this like a religion.

Thanks, Sean!

The UIAA Board of Directors is an elected body that governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for the U of I.

Benefits and Services Highlight
Travel and Tours

More trips added for 2020
Travel is considered a continuing education program and provides alumni and friends an opportunity to learn more about the University of Idaho and the benefits of being a part of the Alumni Association. The program affords participants the chance to maintain contact with the university while learning about international and domestic locations among the camaraderie of fellow alumni and friends.

How about those Vandals!? On the basketball court and off, these young women are true points of pride for the entire Vandal Family.

On the court, the team’s numbers tell part of the story: 16 wins and 4 losses in Big Sky play, 22 wins, 11 losses overall. Records set for number of three-point shots, highest scores. But those stats don’t do justice to the excitement these young women generate, especially the “Splash Sisters” Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce. Mikayla is Idaho and Big Sky All-Time leading scorer; two-time First-Team Academic All-American; 2019 Division I Academic All-American of the Year - the first Vandal to earn the honor, and first woman in Big Sky history. Taylor is lauded for making the most three-pointers in a season in NCAA history. When the pace reaches its peak and the three-pointers start flying, the entire team epitomizes the best of Vandal Spirit.

Off the court, they are just as stellar. Five members of the team have a 4.0. They are earning their degrees. They all participate in a Reading Buddies program at St. Mary’s Elementary in Moscow. And that is in addition to meeting the demands of playing at the intercollegiate level.

Congratulations and a huge shout out to Big Sky Coach of the Year Jon Newlee, as well, for leading these players to such an amazing season. He has coached and mentored literally hundreds of young athletes; his success is our success.

The team plays Arizona in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament Sweet 16 tomorrow at 6 p.m (https://govandals.com/) . (https://govandals.com/) (Pacific time). I hope you’ll join me – wherever you are – in watching the game, wishing them well and celebrating their victory.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

April 2-3 – Vandal Giving Day, Moscow, Idaho
April 3 – Golden I Reunion (50+years since graduation), Moscow, Idaho
April 4 – Latah County Silver and Gold Award Celebration, Moscow, Idaho
April 5-7 – Moms' Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
April 7 – Silver and Gold Day, U of I Alumni Association Founding
April 11 – Wood River Policy Pub: The Future of Food, Ketchum, Idaho
April 12 – Theta Chi 60 Year Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
April 25 – Vandal Night at Moss Greenhouse, Twin Falls, Idaho
April 26 – Sigma Alpha Epsilon Reunion, Moscow, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

The Image of an Athlete
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences undergraduate explores body image and energy intake in young athletes

Joelle Stephens has always been fascinated by the human body. So much so, the 21-year-old Moscow native decided to dedicate her life to studying it and hopes to become a registered nurse after graduating from the University of Idaho this spring.

Be a Vandal Giving Day Ambassador
Put your network to work

On Tuesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 3, the University of Idaho community will come together for a 1,889-minute (31.4 hours) online giving celebration. This event will supercharge the Vandal family around giving back to the institution and providing support for our students.

Please support the University of Idaho by using your influence to share our message within your online communities during Vandal Giving Day.

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight

Travis Jones '99, '02
UIAA Director- West Region
B.S. Agribusiness/M.S. Agricultural Economics

We caught up with Alumni Association directors and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. AgEcon 101. It was my first class of my freshman year; I did not do well in it, but loved it anyway.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. It challenged me to push through the tough classes. It taught me extremely valuable social skills and it instilled in me the value of "community."

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. It's a passion of mine to do my part to improve the university.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Dr. Larry Makus. He was so helpful as both my undergrad and graduate major professor. He went the extra mile to ensure I was successful.

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. Establishing and leading Boise's first Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) group. Our alumni committee had so much fun creating social functions and engaging with young Vandal alumni.

Thanks, Travis!

The UIAA Board of Directors is an elected body that governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for the U of I.

Benefits and Services Highlight

Free Estate Planning Resources
Being a member of the Vandal family means you have access to a range benefits and services (https://www.uidaho.edu/alumni/benefits-and-services) , from lifetime career services to our online book club. But did you know U of I also offers free resources to help you make a lasting impact on what matters to you? To learn more about how you can create your U of I legacy, request a brochure and sign up for occasional emails with stories and supporter information.

The very best part of serving as alumni director for the University of Idaho is the opportunity – and honor – to meet and hear the stories of my fellow Vandals. This past week, with the Latah County Silver and Gold Award Celebration, Golden I reunion and Moms’ Weekend, was full of amazing stories about the impact our alma mater has had on the lives of its alumni.

Take the story of Ramesh Kumar, for example. Dr. Kumar ‘82 received the U of I Alumni Association’s Silver and Gold Award last Thursday to honor his professional achievements as a chemist at 3M Company in Minnesota.

He arrived in Moscow the summer of 1978 to pursue his Ph.D. in fluorine chemistry in the lab of U of I Distinguished Professor and internationally known chemist Jean’ne Shreeve. He had used the $7 in cash he had with him for life necessities, and then found out he needed to buy a calculator. It cost $25. Dr. Shreeve footed the bill, a kindness that Kumar has not forgotten. He credits her with teaching him the value of hard work, of diversity of backgrounds and ideas, and of self-reliance.

Another Silver and Gold Award recipient, Eric Roberts ‘05, shared his story about how the kind guidance of architecture faculty member Bruce Haglund changed his life and led to the success he enjoys today as a leading architect in Las Vegas. He was accepted to the university, but not into the architecture program, but was told he certainly could talk to someone about getting into the program.

Roberts and his wife, Cathy, piled into their Kia Sephia with his portfolio in hand and drove through the night from Salt Lake City to Moscow. It was June and campus was empty, but then-architecture department Chair Haglund was in his office and took the time to visit with the aspiring architect.

Roberts didn’t leave that meeting with “a Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka.” Earning acceptance into the architecture program would take a lot of hard work. But, he said, he did leave with hope and a concrete plan to fulfill his dream.

Then there were the stories of the Golden I reunion attendees, those who graduated 50-plus years ago. Members of the Class of 1969 – including many members of the Delta Sigma Phi pledge class of 1965 – each shared the memories that will forever tie them to this university: a special professor, a makeshift cannon fired at football games, the opportunity to become a military officer and many more.

Each tale is different, and yet, there is a common theme that runs through them all. Every Vandal has that special person, group, event or place at the university that helped transform their life, and that is a story worth repeating. We want to hear about your U of I story. Tell us about the moment, person or activity that was integral to your college experience, and let us know if we may share it with the Vandal family.

Send memories to vandalvibe@uidaho.edu.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

19th University of Idaho President Introduced April 11

The Idaho State Board of Education will meet at 10 a.m. Pacific time on April 11 via conference call, initiated by board member Don Soltman in the Gary Michael Boardroom of the Albertson Building at the University of Idaho, Moscow. This meeting is to consider a contract and hire the next U of I president. It is an open meeting. Remote access is available by calling 877-820-7829, participant code: 9096313.

Introduction of the University of Idaho’s 19th president

10:30 a.m. Pacific time

Administration Building Auditorium, University of Idaho, Moscow

Upcoming Alumni Events

April 11 – Wood River Policy Pub: The Future of Food, Ketchum, Idaho
April 11 – College of Science Alumni Reception, Boise, Idaho
April 12 – Theta Chi 60 Year Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
April 19 – Silver and Gold Spring Football Game, Moscow, Idaho
April 20 – Alumni and Friends Easter Egg Hunt, Moscow, Idaho
April 25 – Vandal Night at Moss Greenhouse, Twin Falls, Idaho
April 26 – Sigma Alpha Epsilon Centennial Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
May 2 – Commencement, Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 6 – Commencement, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
May 11 – Commencement, Moscow, Idaho
May 14 – Commencement, Boise, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Landscape Architecture Students, Researchers Help Idaho’s Magic Valley Remain Resilient
In a changing world, U of I has a hand in sustaining the state’s resources by designing landscape and site-scale models.

It’s not hard for Kathryn Frostenson to imagine her hometown of Jerome — part of Idaho’s agricultural epicenter — in the throngs of some pretty hefty changes between now and 2050.

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight

Catie Freeman
UIAA Treasurer | Director - West Idaho Region/Ada County
B.A. English '09, J.D. law '13

We caught up with Alumni Association directors and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. My most rewarding class was Jazz Choir I with Dan Bukvich. Though it wasn't a class I needed for my major, Dan taught me so much about how to be a passionate professional.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A.U of I gave me the tools to succeed in my career, bit it also made me excited about my career path. It's where my passion for my career began.

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. As a young alumna, I don't always have the ability to donate money like I'd like to. Instead I've chosen to donate my time to help make our university the best it can be.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Dan Bukvich - hands down. He has influenced my life immensely because he taught me things like "If you can't get out of it, get into it."

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. One of my favorite memories is in jazz choir, singing with 1,000 other voices every year at the holiday concert.

Thanks, Catie!

The UIAA Board of Directors is an elected body that governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for the U of I.

Featured Signature Event
4th Annual Vandal Raft Day

Join 99 other Vandals and their families for a day on the water. July is one of the best times to enjoy the water, take in the beauty of Idaho and connect with other Vandals from around the state. Registration is capped at 100 people, don't wait to RSVP.

Benefits and Services Highlight:
Book Club

New Book Announcement
Once Upon a River
On a dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the river Thames, an extraordinary event takes place. The regulars are telling stories to while away the dark hours, when the door bursts open on a grievously wounded stranger. In his arms is the lifeless body of a small child. Hours later, the girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life. Is it a miracle? Is it magic? Or can science provide an explanation? These questions have many answers, some of them quite dark indeed.

There are few things better than checking in with family to get caught up on what’s happening and how they are feeling. It is a way to strengthen past connections and shape plans for the future.

The same is true for the Vandal Family. Last fall, we asked Vandals to take some time to complete the first comprehensive survey of U of I alumni in at least a decade. Thousands of you participated – enough that the experts consider it “statistically valid.” That’s great news because it will serve as a baseline for future surveys, a best practice that will help this office and the university as a whole serve you better.

Here is just some of what we learned:

• 97 percent of Vandals rate their decision to attend U of I as “good to great”
• 87 percent rate their overall current opinion of the institution as “good to excellent”
• 78 percent describe their experience as an alum as “good to excellent”

According to survey results, you want to know that the value of your degree is increasing over time. To put it another way, no matter when you graduated, when you tell someone you went to U of I, you want them to be wowed and impressed. You define that “value of degree" in terms of how many scholarships the university provides, university leadership, the rich history and tradition of our alma mater and the accomplishments of current students. And, you said, the three most important activities for alumni are promoting the University of Idaho to others, recruiting students and identifying job opportunities for your fellow Vandals.

These are just a few of the highlights. Keep scrolling for a more extensive summary of results.

Thanks to those of you who shared your thoughts. We have heard you and already are adjusting how we do what we do to reflect your input. For example, we have updated and refreshed our alumni benefits and services options and increased our Vandal Voyager travel programs. You will see evidence of that in our communications and activities in the coming year.

Please know, too, that you don’t have to wait until the next survey to let us know what you think. Send me an email. Give me a call. Stop in when you’re in Moscow. I always value “checking in” with U of I alumni, whether it’s by the thousands or one fellow Vandal at a time.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

19th University of Idaho President
Alumnus C. Scott Green '84 to Serve as 19th
University of Idaho President

C. Scott Green’s relationship with the University of Idaho dates back two generations. U of I’s 19th president is an alumnus who grew up running the hallways of Memorial Gym when his grandfather was the head of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and, eventually, athletic director. Green went on to build a monumental career in global finance, operations and administration.

President Green will assume leadership of U of I on Monday, July 1, 2019, and is eager to engage all Vandals in the success and tradition that is U of I.

Upcoming Alumni Events

April 25 – Vandal Night at Moss Greenhouse, Twin Falls, Idaho
April 26 – Sigma Alpha Epsilon Centennial Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
May 2 – Commencement, Idaho Falls, Idaho
May 2 – Vandal GOLD Happy Hour, Boise, Idaho
May 3-4 – Ada County Vandal Scramble, Eagle, Idaho
May 6 – Commencement, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
May 11 – Commencement, Moscow, Idaho
May 14 – Commencement, Boise, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

All-Alumni Survey Results

In 2018, the Office of Alumni Relations asked alumni worldwide for their feedback about their connection to the institution, feelings toward giving and the communications they receive from U of I. The survey findings will guide alumni engagement activities to provide the best possible alumni experience.

Alumni Volunteer Spotlight

Nick Weber '02
Director - Western U.S.
Bachelor of General Studies

We caught up with Alumni Association directors and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. History of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Carlos Schwantes' lessons were heavy on photos and relatable stories.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. I gained a broad education both in and out of the classroom that set me up to solve unique challenges in my career.

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. I had been away from Idaho for about 15 years, so when the opportunity to reconnect and serve arose, it was an easy decision.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Jim Zuba. Lieutenant Colonel Zuba was one of my ROTC instructors who challenged me in ways and depths nobody else has.

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. Road tripping to the 1998 Humanitarian Bowl where we upset Southern Mississippi.

Thanks, Nick!

The UIAA Board of Directors governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing the corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for the U of I.

Shaping Business One Project at a Time
College of Business and Economics Students Find Ways to Improve Company Processes

Alexandra Malfant and Lucas Rovic used class time to help Micron Technology find ways for the Boise-based computer chip maker to be more efficient.

The two University of Idaho students worked as part of a team to assess Micron’s operational systems through their Business Process Center class for their operations management degrees. College of Business and Economics Instructor Todd Martin led the class in spring 2018.

Benefits and Services Highlight

Spring 2019 Release Announced

See which Vandal-connected wineries are featured in the spring shipment of Vandals Uncorked wine club. A panel of staff, Alumni Association board members, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences representatives and community members tasted and chose four premium wines, capturing the aromas and flavors of spring and summer.

‘Tis the season! Students are streaming into the Alumni Lounge to pick up their caps and gowns. The campus is in full bloom and looks amazing. Local hotels are filling up with parents, grandparents and siblings eager to watch their dear one cross the stage in the Kibbie Dome and pick up the diploma they worked so hard to earn. It is the one time of year that feels like both a beginning and an ending at the same time.

The students graduating on this spring are completing an experience of a lifetime – so it is an ending in some ways. Their time at the University of Idaho has been marked with the same milestones and memories every Vandal experiences – that special faculty member who went out of their way to mentor, that group of fellow students who will be lifelong friends, those special places on campus that will always be worth revisiting, that feeling of knowing they are well educated.

And yet, as every Vandal also knows, graduation is not the end, by any means. The word “commencement” means a start or beginning, and that is what we celebrate. The vast majority of graduates already have a job lined up. They will scatter across the country – and globally, in some cases – to start the next chapter in their lives, knowing it will be richer because of the education they received.

The transition from “student” to “new alumnus/a” is a happy one, full of opportunity, hope and adventure. Please join me in congratulating the newest members of the Vandal Family on whatever the future brings.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

May 9,10 – Alumni Association Board Meeting, Moscow, Idaho
May 11 – Commencement, Moscow, Idaho
May 14 – Commencement, Boise, Idaho
May 18 – VSF HLCC Vandal Scramble, Hayden Lake, Idaho
June 1 – Vandal Night with Sacramento River Cats, Sacramento, California
June 7 – WWAMI Alumni Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
June 15 – GOLD Bike Bar Tour, Boise, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

The Vandal Volunteer

While attending the University of Idaho and pursuing bachelor’s degrees in psychology and anthropology, E. Whitney “Whit” Johnson ’80 was transformed by the volunteer work he did as a member of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity.

“I love doing volunteer work,” Johnson said. “My fraternity brothers and I used to go down to the old folks home to entertain the residents with skits like ‘Who’s on First.’ I also volunteered at the suicide hotline twice a week for two years. That really sparked my passion for serving.”

Thankful for Discovery

Leah Fisk of Mercer Island, Washington, is a senior majoring in exercise science and health/psychology in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences.

A Vandal swimmer, Fisk has found her life’s calling in occupational therapy, learning life lessons and making lifelong friends at U of I. Fisk, 21, who has worked with Assistant Professor Joshua Bailey in the U of I Biomechanics Lab, has also volunteered her time with activities including Circles of Caring and the University of Idaho’s Raven Scholars Program.

From Fires to Medicine, Thanks to Philosophy
Senior Bradley Bruce switched his career to follow his passion for medicine, all with the help of a philosophy degree

Like so many of his fellow philosophy majors, Bradley Bruce takes philosophy seriously.

President of the Philosophy Club, Bruce is also a member of Pi Sigma Tau, the national philosophy honor society. Also like so many of his fellow philosophers, Bruce’s path to his degree was not a straight line. Before learning of his love for philosophy, he spent his summers fighting wildfires for the U.S. Forest Service.

Alumni Program Highlight

Nominations Open

Outstanding Vandals are excelling in their careers, generous with their time and making differences in various ways across the nation and world. Review our list of Alumni Association awards to find the perfect fit for the alumni you have in mind. Nominations are due August 1, 2019.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors announces a new award, intended to recognize the achievements of those under 35 years of age called the Brave & Bold Award. We hope to honor Vandals who are making waves as young professionals. We appreciate your help finding the greatest Vandals to recognize in our upcoming award season.

Finals are done; commencement ceremonies complete. Faculty members are out in the field or in the lab conducting research or preparing for next semester’s classes. By all appearances, the university is “off” for the summer. But, the honor of serving the Vandal Family is year-round, summer included. The Office of Alumni Relations, as well as our alumni chapters, has an agenda full of events for June, July and August.

Some of those events are official. The university will be breaking ground on the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena on June 6 and officially opening the beautifully renovated and expanded Idaho WWAMI Medical Education building on campus on June 7. The first University of Idaho WWAMI reunion will be held in conjunction with the activities on June 7.

Some summer events are living group specific, such as the Delta Delta Delta Sorority 90th anniversary reunion on June 21. More than 200 Tri Deltas already have RSVP’d to attend that celebration.

The U of I Alumni Association and alumni chapter leaders from around the country will gather in Boise for their second annual summer retreat July 18 and 19. The purpose of this retreat is evaluate progress toward our goal to grow and galvanize our alumni chapters.

There are baseball games to attend with your Vandal Family – the Rivercats in Sacramento and the Mariners in Seattle. At other events, you can simply sit, enjoy a cold beverage and visit with fellow alumni, such as the Portland Alumni Chapter’s Happy Hour gathering.

How about the Vandal Raft Trip on July 20? What a great opportunity to take advantage of a truly unique experience our beautiful state has to offer.

And speaking of the outdoors, think about joining fellow Vandals at the Nampa Pizza in the Park and the All-Vandal Picnic and Food Truck Rally in Kristin Armstrong Park in Boise. Another way to enjoy being outdoors with fellow Vandals is Vandal Day at Silverwood – including the Water Park.

You can see details of all of these events and more on our website. Check it out and take advantage of everything summer has to offer – including some good times with fellow Vandals.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

May 28 – Portland Alumni Chapter Vandal Happy Hour, Portland, Oregon
June 1 – Vandal Night with Sacramento River Cats, Sacramento, California
June 3 – Palouse Alumni Chapter Summer Kickoff Party, Moscow, Idaho
June 6 – ICCU Arena Groundbreaking, Moscow, Idaho
June 7 – WWAMI Alumni Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
June 15 – GOLD Bike Bar Tour, Boise, Idaho
June 21-23 – Delta Delta Delta Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
June 22 – Vandal Day at Breckenridge Brewery, Littleton, Colorado
July 9 – Nampa Pizza in the Park, Nampa, Idaho
July 17 – Ada County Vandal Picnic, Boise, Idaho
July 20 – 4th Annual Vandal Raft Day, Riggins, Idaho
July 25 – Vandal Day at Silverwood, Athol, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

2019 Alumni Hall of Fame

The University of Idaho Alumni Association inducted four new members to the Alumni Hall of Fame May 10. These alumni are recognized for having achieved national or international distinction in accomplishments and leadership.

2019 inductees include:

Michael Donaldson '76
Richard Ormsby '56
Bruce Pitman '75, '89
James Russell '56

Making a Difference with Reforestation
Gabrielle Harden’s research experience in Africa changed her life.

Gabrielle Harden, 28, came from Detroit, Michigan, to the University of Idaho for its forestry program and by her own sense of adventure. Through opportunities at the College of Natural Resources, she developed her leadership and research skills, including work in Togo, Africa, one of the most deforested countries in the world, an experience she says changed her life. After graduating, Harden hopes to find work in reforestation.

Alumni Program Highlight
Vandal Connected Wineries List

You know about our Vandals Uncorked wine club, but did you know about our many Vandal connected wineries and vineyards?

There’s nothing new about Vandals making their mark on the vines and in the cellars of Northwest wineries. Making sure the entire Vandal family has an opportunity to take in a tasting – that’s where Vandal Connected Wineries come in. The Office of Alumni Relations is proud to share a growing list of wineries for you to explore, visit and make the most of our Vandal connection.

What an honor to house Idaho’s first and finest medical school on the University of Idaho campus!

In partnership with the University of Washington, Idaho – via the University of Idaho – is a member of the Washington-Wyoming-Alaska-Montana-Idaho Medical Education Program and has been for nearly 50 years. In that time, more than 775 students from Idaho have started their medical career in Moscow and graduated with a medical degree from UW. This Friday, we welcome them back to celebrate a beautiful new home as well as their time on the Moscow campus.

Their new home was once the business incubator on Sweet Avenue at the east entrance to campus, now completely renovated. Idaho students currently in the program – 40 first-years and 40 second-years – will take their classes in this new state-of-the-art space as well as in the new anatomy facility in the Gritman Medical Building.

The program also has evolved and grown since its inception in 1972. Originally, the program offered just 20 seats for students from Idaho. Each year since 2013, the Idaho Legislature has funded additional seats for Idaho students in the program. Today, WWAMI provides medical education to 40 Idaho students each year.

Originally, students spent their first year of medical school in Moscow and Pullman, attending classes at both U of I and Washington State University, and then moving to Seattle to finish at UW. Today, Idaho students spend the first two years in Moscow (WSU has since started its own medical school) before moving into clinical studies. They have a choice – finish those studies in Seattle, in any WWAMI state or at home in Idaho.

More than half of those who graduate from WWAMI return to the state to serve their fellow Idahoans. Access to medical care is increasingly important, especially in the most rural areas, and Idaho WWAMI provides a reliable supply of physicians to practice in those places.

Idaho WWAMI students are Vandals. Many of them earned their undergraduate degrees at U of I. They have slogged up the Line Street hill in February. They have listened to the alma mater playing on the carillon. They are serving Idaho communities small and large. They are making a positive difference.

Congratulations, WWAMI Vandals, and welcome home!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

June 6 – ICCU Arena Groundbreaking, Moscow, Idaho
June 6 – Palouse Chapter Summer Kickoff, Moscow, Idaho
June 7 – WWAMI Alumni Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
June 15 – GOLD Bike Bar Tour, Boise, Idaho
June 21-23 – Delta Delta Delta Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
June 22 – Vandal Day at Breckenridge Brewery, Littleton, Colorado
July 9 – Pizza in the Park With the Vandals, Nampa, Idaho
July 17 – Ada County Vandal Picnic, Boise, Idaho
July 20 – 4th Annual Vandal Raft Day, Riggins, Idaho
July 25 – Vandal Day at Silverwood, Athol, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Idaho Central Credit Union Arena Groundbreaking

The Idaho Central Credit Union Arena will be the new home for Vandal men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as a gathering place for academic events, concerts and other special events.

Join U of I President Chuck Staben, the university community, alumni and friends for this milestone event on Thursday, June 6, 2019, 11 a.m. Pacific time, north side of the ASUI Kibbie Activity Center in Moscow. Parking is available in the lots west of the Kibbie Dome.

Input Sought to Shape Athletic Director Position

Athletics plays a vital role in a vibrant residential university experience. Strong leadership in this area is fundamental to creating memorable student-athlete experiences, cultivating competitive advantage and fostering meaningful alumni engagement.

The University of Idaho has hired Parker Executive Search, a national search firm specializing in intercollegiate athletics, to lead the search for a permanent athletic director. Representatives of the firm will be on the Moscow campus Thursday, June 6, to gather input on the desired qualities of an athletic director. You may provide input electronically. Your feedback is important so please join the conversation.

Input collected in these meetings will help Parker finalize the position description and identify the best candidates for this search. Once the position description is final, it will be posted on the Parker website.

Food Focused
CALS student hopes to educate consumers about healthy food choices.

When Satoko Haji began working with Japanese vegetable farmers she noticed that the market for vegetables was dwindling. That sparked her interest — how people choose what to eat — and led her to the University of Idaho.

Haji earned a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition: dietetics option from the U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in spring 2019.

Alumna Founded and Curates
Unique Collection

Pricilla Wegars '91 - Founder and curator boosts Asian American Comparative Collection.

In the 1980s, the University of Idaho’s Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology began excavating archaeological sites related to Idaho’s pioneers of Chinese descent. As a U of I graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in history, Priscilla Wegars ’91 recognized the need to preserve the artifacts found at the archaeological sites. With support from the U of I Department of Anthropology, in 1982 Wegars raised enough money to found the Asian American Comparative Collection (AACC).

Alumni Program Highlight
U of I Library Access

Alumni can access their favorite digital collections like Gem of the Mountains yearbook, Argonaut newspaper, geospatial data and more from Idaho's largest library. Staff also are available to answer questions and help with research. Live locally? Alumni can get a community borrower card for print resources on-site.

Scott Green’s homecoming to become our alma mater’s 19th president July 1 – less than two weeks from today – marks at least two important firsts for the University of Idaho.

He will be the first alumnus to hold the president’s position on a permanent basis. President Green has strong, deep Vandal roots. Born at Gritman Memorial Hospital in downtown Moscow, he spent his early years in Memorial Gym where his grandfather, Leon (Doc) Green served as head of the department of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and then athletic director. He was actively involved in campus life as a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, a student member of university committees and eventually as ASUI president. He knows this campus, this community, this state in a way only a native Idahoan can.

President Green is also the first non-traditional candidate to hold the president’s position on a permanent basis. He earned his bachelor’s in accounting from U of I in 1984 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1989. Both have been foundational to a long, fruitful career in global finance, administration and operations. He has traveled the world, managed and grown billion-dollar budgets and worked to build consensus among diverse groups of people. Great preparation for a university president, in my opinion.

Perhaps most importantly, President Green has stayed connected and involved with our alma mater through it all. He served on the U of I’s national Alumni Association Board of Directors, the U of I Foundation Board and advisory board for the College of Business and Economics. He is a Vandal Scholarship Fund donor, and has given to support scholarships in the College of Business and facilities in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. In 2009, he was inducted into the U of I U of I Alumni Hall of Fame.

My request to the Vandal Family is that we become as connected and involved as our new president is and has been. He will be traveling throughout the state and nationally in the coming months to meet and listen to his fellow Vandals. Help me in welcoming one of our own home: show up when he’s in your neck of the woods, share your time, talent and treasure to help him accomplish his goals, and above all else, let him know you are proud to be a Vandal and why. He’ll understand what you’re talking about.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

P.S. The Vandal Vibe is taking a break for July. Watch your inbox on August 14 for the next edition.

Upcoming Alumni Events

June 21-23 – Delta Delta Delta Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
June 22 – Vandal Day at Breckenridge Brewery, Littleton, Colorado
June 27 – Palouse Alumni BBQ, Moscow, Idaho
June 28 –https://www.facebook.com/events/1477091792433950/34th Annual American Falls Golf Tournament and Picnic, American Falls, Idaho
June 30 – Vandal Night with the Seattle Storm, Seattle, Washington
July 9 – Pizza in the Park With the Vandals, Nampa, Idaho
July 11 – NY Alumni Reception with President Green, New York, New York
July 13 – Vandal Night with the Tacoma Rainiers, Tacoma, Washington
July 17 – Ada County Vandal Picnic, Boise, Idaho
July 18-19 – Alumni Volunteer Retreat, Boise, Idaho
July 20 – 4th Annual Vandal Raft Day, Riggins, Idaho
July 25 – Vandal Day at Silverwood, Athol, Idaho
July 27 – Vandal Day with the Seattle Mariners, Seattle, Washington
Aug. 7 – Palouse Alumni S'Mores Night, Moscow, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

A Passion for Advocacy
Political science graduate Nicole Skinner grew her interest in activism through U of I's Department of Politics and Philosophy

It was shortly into her first year at the University of Idaho that Nicole Skinner realized she had a passion for politics.

“I just fell head over heels in love with some of the classes I was taking within the department,” said Skinner, a senior majoring in political science and economics who graduated in 2019. “It really helped me discern what my purpose in life is and what I am good at.”

The University of Idaho Alumni Association seeks your participation in recommending classmates, sisters, brothers, hall-mates, colleagues and friends for the following prestigious honors:

• Alumni Hall of Fame for alumni who have achieved national or international distinction.
• Jim Lyle Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the University and or Alumni Association through volunteerism.
• Silver and Gold Award for alumni who have a distinguished record of achievement and service.
• Brave and Bold - new this year - honors alumni who are 35 and under who has a distinguished record of professional accomplishments, service to their alma mater and or service to their community.
• Honorary Alumni Recognition for persons that have served U of I and or the university's alumni with great distinction and faithful service.
• Distinguished Idahoan Award recognizes an alumni or friend that has a gleaming national or international reputation and has brought distinction to the State of Idaho and U of I.

Nominations are due Aug. 1.

Alumni Program Highlight
Class Notes Submissions Due July 1

What pages do many alumni go to first in Here We Have Idaho magazine? You guessed it, Class Notes gets the most eyes. Submit family additions, marriages, new jobs, military assignments and more by July 1 to be included in the next edition of the magazine.

Nearly 300 alumni attended the annual Ada County Vandal Picnic in Boise last month. Vandal Raft Day was a sell-out and a total blast for those who attended. Nothing but good wishes are surrounding the appointment of Terry Galwick as our new athletic director. And at the center of it all? New University of Idaho President and alumnus Scott Green! Below are some of his thoughts as he assumes leadership of our alma mater.

President C. Scott Green '84

How has the institution changed since you were a student?
The university has grown in some key areas – new facilities in Moscow and across the state, new areas of focus for research and scholarship. I stayed connected to some of that progress as an alumnus, but am enjoying the chance to listen and learn as president. Some things haven’t changed, thankfully: We still deliver a great educational experience that sets students up for lifelong success. We still offer research that makes a difference in Idaho and elsewhere. We’re still the land-grant leader in communities across the state of Idaho, and our main campus is as beautiful as it ever was.

What are your top priorities for the coming year?
First things first, we have to support student success. That means enrolling more students, and it also means making sure students stay in school, on their way to an on-time graduation with as little debt as possible. Affordability is front and center for us. I’m also emphasizing continued success in our research and scholarship mission, to ensure we continue to create exciting projects that matter for scholarship, for industries, for communities. Lastly, we’ve got to let the world know about the U of I success story. This is the Gem State, but we don’t want to be a “hidden gem.” Let’s tell our story, loud and proud, brave and bold.

As a non-academic, how will you lead/shape the academic side of the house?
I’m already working with our faculty leadership. I believe in shared governance, and running a law firm actually has some parallels. As president, I’m going to set the vision and work with faculty to get buy-in. After that, we will work together to meet our objectives and build lasting success.

What does a successful tenure as president look like to you? What do you hope to have accomplished within the next 5 - 10 years?
We can build on our excellence. I’d like to see us serving more students – there continues to be a strong need to bring more Idaho students to college. We can grow our research enterprise, building on established strengths and identifying emerging areas. We can bolster our impact in communities across Idaho. Capitalizing on those areas of opportunity will provide resources and strengthen our reputation in a virtuous cycle.

What has surprised you most since your return?
Personally, I have been amazed and humbled by the support from the Vandal Family, and the warm welcome. But I don’t think that’s all about me. So many Vandals are hungry for the university to be on the right course, to be recognized for the leader we are, and to grow even more into the future. We have so many success stories here. We have dedicated and talented faculty and staff. I am honored to be charged with steering that energy and talent so that we can be the best possible university.

What can alumni do to help you – a fellow Vandal – succeed?
Tell your story – we all have our own story of how the university elevated us – to your community organizations, to your friends and neighbors, to your legislators, to that student you know who is considering their options for higher education. Help elevate the next generation of Vandals. Get involved with alumni groups. Show off your silver and gold. Give both time and treasure, every Vandal, every year.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Aug. 23 – Alumni and Friends Night with the Spokane Indians, Spokane, Washington
Aug. 29 – 6th Annual BBQ and Cornhole Tournament, Moscow, Idaho
Aug. 31 – National College Colors Day. Post photos of your Vandal gear and tag @uidahoalumni on social media. Let's see that silver and gold!
Aug. 31 – Vandal Tailgate at Penn State, State College, Pennsylvania
Sept. 4 – 37th Annual Alumni Spaghetti Dinner, Lewiston, Idaho
Sept. 28 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Colorado, Greely, Colorado

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Volunteer Spotlight: Dan Neuenfeldt '08

We caught up with Alumni Association directors and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

Dan Neuenfeldt '08
B.S. Business and Economics
UIAA Director, Northern Idaho Region

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. Economics. I love the study of behavior and money...economics blends them both.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. U of I gave me the tools and knowledge required to run my own business.

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. I wanted to give back to the university that gave so much to me.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Steve Peterson. He made learning economics fun and practical.

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. Driving to Boise to watch us win the Humanitarian Bowl in 2009.

Thanks, Dan!

The UIAA Board of Directors is an elected body that governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for U of I.

Tailgate the Vandal Way

Don your silver and gold and rally with Vandals prior to four away football games this season. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, attendees can expect a vibrant pre-game experience with light appetizers, no-host bar and ample Vandal pride.

"The alumni staff and I look forward to visiting with alumni and friends at University Park, Greely, Portland and Missoula," said Executive Director of the Alumni Association Kathy Barnard.

Alumni Service Highlight
Alumni Locations Map

Vandal pride travels far and wide. The Office of Alumni Relations has created a searchable map to locate fellow Vandals in your area, or to just click around and discover how vast the alumni network really is.

Alumni live in:

• Every U.S. state and territory
• Very county in the state of Idaho.
• In more than 130 countries.

A Product of History and Place

Exploring the United Fruit Company, Latin America and a North Idaho fishing river, Vandal alumnus and historian James Martin explores the intersection of history, people and the environment.

Inspiration is found in various places.

For James Martin, it struck during an introductory Spanish class at the University of Idaho.

I-D-A-H-O photo featuring members of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, 2016 What a beautiful, chaotic, energizing whirlwind! Classes officially started on Monday, but last week and the week before that were full of fraternity and sorority recruitment, Vandal Marching Band rehearsals, convocation, Palousafest and, of course, the Vandal Walk and President’s Barbecue this past Sunday.

One of my favorite back-to-school traditions is Move-In Day. Faculty, staff, current students and community members step up to help new students move into the residence halls. We wrangle big carts from family cars to the students’ new homes, navigate the elevators and ask and answer questions throughout the whole process.

This year, I had the privilege of helping five new Vandals move in. There was Jenny from Clackamas, Ore., who is majoring in agri-business and accounting, and really wants her own farm someday. Spencer from Boise and Cheyenne from Lewiston are majoring in music. They both attended the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival as youngsters and knew they wanted to come back to the University of Idaho.

Adam drove with his parents all the way from southern Texas to Moscow. He is a new member of the U of I tennis team and had seven tennis rackets to move! His parents also equipped him with one of the biggest parkas I have ever seen and a new pair of Sorrels – they heard it’s a lot colder here than in Texas! Adam would like to coach someday, and is majoring in business and marketing.

Genesis and her parents drove from Idaho Falls. She’ll be majoring in graphic design and is excited to have one of her best friends from high school as a roommate.

It was so fun and inspiring to meet these members of the Class of 2023. They obviously are bright because they’ve chosen to earn their higher education at our alma mater. I also found them to be funny, thoughtful and quite capable of handling whatever comes next – amazing freshmen!

And speaking of freshmen, fellow Vandal and “freshman” President Scott Green volunteered at Move-In Day as well. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this video (https://www.facebook.com/uidahopresident/videos/489998785130378/) of his adventures and encounters on that day. You will be able to feel the positive energy surging on the Moscow campus this semester.

Go Vandals!
Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Aug. 29 – 6th Annual BBQ and Cornhole Tournament, Moscow, Idaho
Aug. 30 – National College Colors Day. Post photos of your Vandal gear and tag @uidahoalumni on social media. Let's see that silver and gold!
Aug. 31 – Vandal Tailgate at Penn State, State College, Pennsylvania
Aug. 31 – Football Watch Party, District of Columbia
Sept. 4 – 37th Annual Alumni Spaghetti Dinner, Lewiston, Idaho
Sept. 7 – Vandal Tailgate: Idaho vs. Central Washington, Moscow, Idaho
Sept. 21 – Vandal Tailgate: Idaho vs. Eastern Washington, Moscow, Idaho
Sept. 27 – Alumni Social, Westminster, Colorado
Sept. 28 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Colorado, Greely, Colorado

View more events on the alumni calendar

Volunteer Spotlight: Zach Broyles '99

We caught up with Alumni Association directors and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

Zach Broyles '99
B.S. Business
UIAA Director, Mountain Region

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. Business 410 - strategy in action.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. I owe so much to my experience at the business school and working for the athletic department.

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. My sense of debt I owe the university.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Jim Senter and Joe Geiger.

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. I'm fond of my time spent building recruiting programs for the athletic programs and for helping share my love for the university.

Thanks, Zach!

The UIAA Board of Directors is an elected body that governs the UIAA, Inc. and meets formally three times a year. Duties of directors include managing corporate affairs, business and assets of the association and advocating for U of I.

Focusing on Early Education

The relationship between early education and the success of Idaho’s economy will be the subject of the next Vandal Voices speaker series event. Mike Satz, executive officer at U of I Boise, and Beth Oppenheimer, executive director of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC), will discuss “The Business Case for Early Childhood Education."

Satz and Oppenheimer will discuss the importance of early learning as the foundation to success beyond high school, how early learning is at the heart of a healthy economy and why higher education is invested in younger students.

A Gift of an International Experience
Study abroad scholarship gives student a Costa Rican adventure

Eating local foods. Immersing herself in a foreign language. Making friends from around the world. Visiting volcanoes, beaches and cloud forests. Kaylee Nye’s experience studying abroad in Costa Rica during spring 2019 was about more than just taking classes in another country.

The Weiser native wanted to experience something completely new.

“While looking for a study abroad location, I wanted something different than Idaho, or the United States in general,” she said. For Nye, the unique classes and proximity to beautiful beaches made Heredia, Costa Rica the ideal destination.

Undergraduate Research Leads Alumni to Success and Gratitude

Many factors can influence a college student’s career path. Whether it’s a special professor or an academic course or degree, we all have touch points that map our path.

One significant touch point on the career path for Brian Hill ’65 was the undergraduate research he performed as a student in the University of Idaho’s College of Science under the mentorship of Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Jean’ne Shreeve. Shreeve has designed rocket fuels, experimented with most reactive element on Earth and taught hundreds of students during her 58 years with the University of Idaho Department of Chemistry.

Alumni Service Highlight
Recruitment Support

As over 109,000 living alumni know, the University of Idaho is a special place. The state’s leading national research institution offers breakthrough educational experiences, research that makes a difference in our world, and outreach and programs that serve every part of Idaho.

Nominate a future student to become a Vandal.

One of the finest features of the Vandal Family is how open and welcoming it is – and not only to alumni. Think of the members of the extended Vandal Family who aren’t alumni and all of the richness they bring – faculty and staff at our alma mater, retirees, current students and their families, for example.

How we welcome those last two categories of Vandals to the family is especially important. That is why the Office of Alumni Relations is changing the title – and only the title – of what in recent history has been Dads’ and Moms’ Weekends, beginning this fall.

Actually, it is a return to what those weekends were called “back in the day.” I am not sure when the name became focused on moms and dads. When I was in school – back before invention of the automobile – it was Parent & Family Weekend. Why change back now? Several reasons.

First, Parent & Family Weekend (/events/signature-events/parent-and-family-weekend) better reflects what actually happens on those weekends. Parents, step-parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it, all come to the Moscow campus for these special celebrations. Let’s acknowledge that.

Second, programming for these special weekends will not change. The fall Parent & Family Weekend will focus on football and tailgating, the corn-hole tournament and the annual beer and sausage tasting. Sprizng will focus on the dinner and entertainment, wine tasting, paint night and brunch with the Jazz Choir. If anything, we may expand offerings that appeal to all family members, but the essence of each weekend remains the same.

Finally, the name change clears up questions we get every year about whether moms are welcome on Dads’ Weekend and vice versa, and are step-dads allowed and can Great-Aunt Velma come, too? The answer is, of course! Everyone is welcome. The Vandal Family is big enough, open enough and friendly enough to welcome one and all.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Sept. 14 – Vandal Tailgate at Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
Sept. 21 – Vandal Tailgate: Idaho vs. Eastern Washington, Moscow, Idaho
Sept. 27 – Alumni Social, Westminster, Colorado
Sept. 28 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Colorado, Greely, Colorado
Oct. 4-5 – College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) 20 Year Anniversary, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 11 – Portland Alumni Social, Portland, Oregon
Oct. 12 – Vandal Tailgate at Portland State, Portland, Oregon
Oct. 12 – Vandal Wine Tour, Nampa/Marsing, Idaho
Oct. 13-19 – University of Idaho Homecoming Week, Moscow, Idaho (details coming soon)
Oct. 18 – Vandal Marching Band 100 Year Celebration, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 19 – Vandal Tailgate: Idaho vs. Idaho State, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 15-17 – Fall Parent and Family Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
View more events on the alumni calendar.

Honoring Those Who Serve
To the many first responders who keep our communities safe, we thank you for your service and dedication today and every day. Alumni Give to Elevate Vandal Excellence

Thank you for being a champion for U of I! In fiscal year 2019, your generosity was bigger and bolder than ever, helping U of I raise $51.8 million – a new record! Thousands of Vandal alumni gave in support of students, research and outreach across the state, from funding two new canoes for field experiments at MOSS (https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/mccall-outdoor-science-school) to life-changing scholarships (https://www.uidaho.edu/giving/vandalpromise) to the ICCU Arena (http://www.uidaho.edu/arena) , where construction is going strong. Please take a moment to feel the very real impact you have made by fueling discovery, exploration and breakthrough experiences that make our world a better place. Every gift matters, and every Vandal can make a difference, every day.

Fall Reunions Bring Vandals Together

Our reunions team is at their best this fall preparing for a series of opportunities to get Vandals together again to relive memories and make new ones. Block out time on your calendar for these get-togethers.

• College Assistance Migrant Program 20 Year Anniversary: Oct. 4-5, 2019
• Marching Band Alumni Relation: Oct. 18-19, 2019
• Spirit Squad Alumni Reunion: Oct. 18-19, 2019
• Graue Scholars Alumni Reunion: Oct. 19, 2019
• Humanitarian Bowl Championship Reunion: Nov. 15-16, 2019

BLOT Magazine Cover Contest
Design prompt: What it Means to be a Vandal

BLOT is looking for fellow Vandals (past or present) to show us what it means to them to be a Vandal. Through drawing, painting, digital art, photography, whatever form you want, show us what it means to you. The submission must be 8×10 inches in dimension. Selected pieces will be printed in the first issue of BLOT magazine.

Submit your pieces as a PNG to blot@uidaho.edu by September 20. In order to submit, you must be a current student or alumni of the university.

I love the fact that learning the value of service to community and giving back starts early at our alma mater and is an integral part of a U of I education.

Every fall, before classes ever begin, hundreds of new students don their participant shirts and tackle projects around Moscow as part of the Serve Your New Community (SYNC) program. Housing and Residence Life hosts Paint the Palouse, which celebrated its 30th year this fall. Every sorority and fraternity champions and raises funds for its specific charity every year. The Center for Volunteerism & Social Action in the Department of Student Involvement provides a variety of opportunities for students to serve at home, regionally, nationally and even internationally through its Alternative Service Breaks program. I have heard many alumni say that those service trips changed their lives.

Given that foundation, it is no wonder U of I alumni are jumping at the chance to serve once again as part of their local alumni chapters in a program we call Vandals Make a Difference in support of the national campaign called Make a Difference Day. The Office of Alumni Relations is asking each chapter to participate in at least one community service activity each year, and the response has been amazing.

Vandals in Moscow spent an evening last week cleaning trails at Idler’s rest near Moscow Mountain. The Treasure Valley chapters are holding a food drive and helping at the local food bank, working at the Boise Women’s and Children’s Alliance and participating in Rake Up Boise. Denver Vandals are collecting toys and other goods to help comfort and entertain children staying at Children’s Hospital there. Other chapters are still in the planning stages of their service activity.

Talk about a win-win-win situation! The charitable organizations get the benefit of a stellar, enthusiastic volunteer workforce to further their missions. The U of I gains the visibility of their alumni doing good work in their communities. And, perhaps most importantly, the Vandals volunteering get the opportunity to flex the “give back” muscles they found and toned as students.

Read more below about how you might volunteer in service work sponsored by your local alumni chapter.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Sept. 27 – Alumni Social, Westminster, Colo.
Sept. 28 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Colorado, Greely, Colo.
Sept. 28 – Vandals Make a Difference Project, Denver, Colo.
Oct. 4-5 – College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) 20 Year Anniversary, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 11 – Portland Alumni Social, Portland, Ore.
Oct. 12 – Vandal Tailgate at Portland State, Portland, Ore.
Oct. 12 – Vandal Wine Tour, Nampa/Marsing, Idaho - SOLD OUT
Oct. 13-19 – University of Idaho Homecoming Week, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 18 – Vandal Marching Band 100 Year Celebration, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 18 – Spirit Squad Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 19 – Vandal Tailgate: Idaho vs. Idaho State, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 19 – Graue Scholars Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 26 – Vandals Make a Difference Project, Ada County
Nov. 2 – GOLD Brewery Bus Tour, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 9 – Vandals Make a Difference: Rake Up Boise, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 15-17 – Fall Parent and Family Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 15 – Humanitarian Bowl Champions Reunion, Moscow, Idaho

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Vandals Make a Difference Day Projects

Alumni chapters from across the country are uniting in service this fall by planning a community service event or project on Saturday, October 26, national Make a Difference Day, or any other agreeable date in the fall. This organized, collaborative effort brings Vandals together to serve others in their communities while demonstrating the reach and power of the Vandal network.

Volunteer Spotlight

We caught up with Alumni Association chapter volunteers and asked them a few short and sweet questions about their Vandal experience.

Roy Derrick '91
B.S. Accounting
Ada County Alumni Chapter Volunteer

1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class?
A. Even though it was not in my major, I really enjoyed the basic geography class. i liked it because I learned about the weather,and I understand what I see everyday. In my major, i twas have been the intermediate accounting class, it provided the enhanced area of knowledge needed to move forward in the career.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
A. Of course it gave me the knowledge for a career. I also think my time in Moscow just prepared me for life. i was on my own, and had to figure out how to live.

3. Why did you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
A. I joined or several reasons. The first is a way to give back to the U of I and at the same time meet other alumni and make new friends.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time here?
A. Teresa Gordon taught the intermediate accounting classes. it provided a great foundation.

5. Share a treasured memory as a student.
A. One of my favorite memories involved one of my business classes where we were presenting company profiles. One of the students was assigned Chic-fil-a and was practicing his presentation before class started. He kept saying "chic-a-fil" and was hoping he would say it correct during the presentation. Well, once he started his presentation, the first thing he said was chic-a-fil. Of course most students just thought it was a slight slip of the tongue, but those that were in the room when he was practicing knew otherwise.

Thanks, Roy!

Alumni chapters are volunteer driven and integral to our network of engagement. Looking to get more involved? 

Immigration is History

U of I student builds a library’s first Latino oral history archive through an internship and learns more about her family in the process

Imagine being the first person to document, translate and transcribe first-hand stories of Latino immigrants that settled in your hometown.

Now imagine hearing a tale about paying $100 to a Mexican coyote — the name given to those who help immigrants cross the border into the United States — to get you into the country, then walking an endless number of miles through the desert to eventually end up in California to begin a new life in the 1960s.

This is how University of Idaho senior Giselle Andrade spent three weeks in July 2019. Andrade completed a summer internship at The Community Library in Ketchum, the second such internship sponsored by the U of I Department of History.

Joe Knows...News Headlines

Former Idaho sprinter Chris Stokes receives Jamaica's sixth-highest national honor
The Spokesman Review - September 21, 2019

Mason Petrino, Jeff Cotton help Idaho shock 11th-ranked Eastern Washington 35-27
The Spokesman Review - September 21, 2019

Western Innovator: Drones become flying crop sensors
Capital Press - September 19, 2019

University of Idaho ranks 6th (of 800) for renewable energy use
Boise State Public Radio - September 11, 2019

How med students help fill gap in Spanish-speaking medical professions in Idaho
Idaho Statesman - September 10, 2019

Davis inks 3-year extension with Miami Dolphins
Lewiston Morning Tribune - September 8, 2019

Homecoming is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you back on campus!

The Vandals will take on the Idaho State University Bengals in the Kibbie Dome, and just as importantly, we are once again competing in the U of I/ISU Food Fight. Last year in Pocatello, we joined forces to collect more than 14,000 cans of food for hungry Idahoans. This year, we are hoping to collect even more. Our Homecoming theme this year is "Vandals in the Game" and, in any game you, have dynamite teammates.

We have two great partners for this project. The Idaho Foodbank and the Vandal Food Pantry, both of which do the important work of feeding people day in and day out.

The Idaho Foodbank has three regional offices, and while we will be working most directly with our friends at the north central branch located in Lewiston, their offices in Boise and Pocatello will also be involved. The Vandal Food Pantry has eight locations on the Moscow campus and also partners with the Idaho Foodbank among others.

The need for food relief here in our own backyard is more real than you might think. According to Feeding America, one in eight Idahoans – and one in six children in Idaho – is food insecure, which means they often don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Among those statistics are non-traditional students supporting families, first-generation students living on financial aid and traditional students working while attending school just to make ends meet. It’s important to note that 54 percent of Idahoans who are food insecure fall above the income threshold to receive food stamps. They rely on charitable organizations to fill the gap. We have work to do!

And in case you need added motivation to participate, the same challenge between U of I and ISU alumni directors is on the table. The alumni director whose school collects the least amount of food has to 1) don the other school’s colors, 2) shoot a congratulatory video at a prominent place on their campus, and 3) post it on social media. It hasn’t been easy, but I have almost recovered from having to wear orange and black last year. I do not want to do that again!

More details about how, when and where you can contribute are available here. Thanks in advance for your help and Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Oct. 11 – Portland Alumni Social, Portland, Oregon
Oct. 12 – Vandal Tailgate at Portland State, Portland, Oregon
Oct. 13-19 – University of Idaho Homecoming Week, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 18 – Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 18 – Vandal Marching Band 100 Year Celebration, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 18 – Spirit Squad Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 19 – Vandal Tailgate: Idaho vs. Idaho State, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 19 – Graue Scholars Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Oct. 19 – Homecoming watch party, Sacramento, California
Oct. 19 – Homecoming watch party, Los Angeles, California
Oct. 19 – Homecoming watch party, Seattle, Washington
Oct. 26 – Vandals Make a Difference Project, Ada County
Oct. 31 – Cheer on Vandal Volleyball, Sacramento, California
Oct. 31-Nov. 29 – Vandals Make a Difference: School Supply Drive, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 2 – GOLD Brewery Bus Tour, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 2 - Vandals Make a Difference: Adopt-a-Highway, Filer, Idaho
Nov. 9 – Vandals Make a Difference: Rake Up Boise, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 9 – Vandal Tailgate at Montana, Missoula, Montana
Nov. 15-17 – Fall Parent and Family Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 15 – Humanitarian Bowl Champions Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 23 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Idaho vs. ISU Canned Food Drive

Let's join together to fight food insecurity in Idaho!

Donate dollars online
According to The Idaho Foodbank, just $1 can provide food for five meals.

Donate items at a drop-off near you.
The Food Fight challenge winner will be the team who collects the most pounds of food, so think heavy when you decide to donate non-perishable items.

Most needed items:

• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Canned tomato products (reduced sodium)
• Canned meats (tuna/chicken)
• Soup
• Canned meals
• Whole grain pasta
• Brown rice
• Oats/oatmeal
• Cooking oils
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder/baking soda
• Spices
• Canned or dried beans
• Nut butters
• Boxed or canned milk alternatives
• Personal care items

Food Fight winner will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 19.

Virtual Homecoming

You don't have to be in Moscow, Coeur d'Alene, Boise or Idaho Falls (not to mention our 40-plus extension and research centers) to show your homecoming spirit. Vandals everywhere can celebrate anywhere.

Wear Vandal gear to the office, to the grocery store, to your kids' practice. Post a photo using #vandalhomecoming, and we'll reshare.

Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on online orders through the VandalStore until Oct. 19, use code GOVANDALS19.

On Oct. 14, cast your votes (likes) on @uidahoalumni Facebook for your favorite painted window in the Vandalize Moscow competition.

Attend a watch party hosted by your local alumni chapter.

Watch the 111th University of Idaho Homecoming parade LIVE @uidaho Facebook page. Or listen to the live broadcast streaming at KUOI.org.

Donate to the annual fireworks extravaganza fund.

Homecoming Activities

The schedule is packed with traditions and pride. The 22-member Homecoming Committee and their advisers have prepared a packed schedule with the familiar traditional events, plus a few milestones to celebrate. Here are the highlights:

Sunday, Oct. 13
* Royalty finalists announced
* Student teams' Photo Scavenger Hunt

Monday, Oct. 14
* Vandalize Moscow window painting by student teams
* Students will distribute food drive information to Moscow residences

Tuesday, Oct. 15
* Vandalize Campus Office Decorations contest
* 70th Annual Blood Drive

Wednesday, Oct. 16
* University of Idaho Faculty Staff Alumni Luncheon
* Student teams participate in Vandal Jingles

Thursday, Oct. 17
* Vandal Volleyball vs. Northern Arizona
* Student teams will collect food from Moscow residences

Friday, Oct. 18
* Vandalize Campus Teams Decorations
* Vandal Volleyball vs. Southern Utah
* Vandal Soccer vs. Northern Arizona
* Cheer Reunion Begins
* Alumni and Friends Mix and Mingle including refreshments and entertainment
* Serpentine, Bonfire Rally, Royalty Announcement
* Idaho Central Credit Union Fireworks Extravaganza

Saturday, Oct. 19
* Moscow Firefighters Annual Pancake Feed and Safety Fair
* Graue Scholars Reunion
* 111th Annual Best Western Plus University Inn Homecoming parade
* Vandal Tailgate
* Vandal Marching Band Centennial Reunion
* Vandal Football vs. ISU

Learn More >>

Greetings, Vandal Family,

From the beginning of his appointment earlier this year, one of University of Idaho President and Ambassador-in-Chief Scott Green’s top priorities has been telling the Vandal story. He has shared details of how the institution elevated his life and career, and he continues to encourage all members of the Vandal Family to do the same.

Every Vandal I know has at least one story of how U of I changed the trajectory of their life. Maybe it involved a faculty member who went the extra mile to help with a particularly difficult class or the cadre of friends who were there when you needed them most. Maybe it was the unexpected A or victory on the football field. Maybe it was the first Argonaut byline or round of applause after a dance performance. Whatever the circumstances, many of us remember an “aha” moment when we realized that being at the university was shaping our future.

Those breakthrough moments are at the heart of the university’s marketing campaign. Below, Vandal alumna and U of I Marketing Director Johanna Blickenstaff '08 provides some of the strategy and details behind our alma mater’s latest marketing efforts. I hope it helps you enjoy the television ads, billboards and other marketing materials even more!

1. How has the focus of the marketing campaign changed?
A. It’s the second year in our Breakthrough campaign, and our focus has expanded rather than changed. When the brand refresh was launched in 2017, we knew our focus needed to be on prospective students first and introduce the Breakthrough concept as a whole. As we move into our second year, it’s an exciting time. Our enrollment marketing program is now a robust, working machine, which gives us the opportunity to do the same for our other key audiences – starting with our alumni and friends. We won’t lose our focus on students. This move makes sure that we are sharing the same, high-touch experience with all of our constituents. And as for Breakthrough, it’s now time for us to take the next step and define what a breakthrough is and what it means to you.

2. What's behind the Breakthrough concept?
A. In selecting a campaign platform, it’s critical to select one that resonates on a number of levels. First, it needs to be an extension of who we are and what we offer as Idaho’s premier research university – seamlessly aligning with and amplifying our brand and land-grant mission. Next we look for versatility: what gives us flexibility to ensure it will resonate across our diverse audiences? We look for something that is active in voice and tone, engaging our audiences and encouraging them to take the next steps. And we look for something that will allow us to build cohesion across our marketing experience and that sets us apart in a space of our own. Breakthrough checked all of the boxes – it’s a true reflection of our brand voice and vision, active and flexible.

3. What's the campaign goal?
A. In my humble opinion, U of I is, without a doubt, one of the highest educational values in the Northwest. And as fellow alumni, I hope you agree. Our mutual goal is to make sure everyone knows that, and more importantly, is able to clearly and consistently share this message with those networks. The campaign will give you the initial messaging, a starting point and next steps. We’re looking to energize our Vandal Family and to reach the next generation of Vandals in all the forms that will take.

4. What can alumni expect to see in their neck of the woods?
A. So many things! We have billboards and television ads running across the Inland Northwest. You’ll see us active in your social channels and across the World Wide Web. You’ll find us in regional airports. There’s more to look forward to, but I don’t want to spoil all the surprises quite yet. Please engage with the content and let us know what you think! Snap photos and tag us, or tell recruiters or alumni volunteers in your areas. I love feedback. One of my favorite things is to use data to inform our approach as we continue to evolve and move forward.

5. What makes you excited about this campaign?
A. Simply put, everything. I’ve been employed at U of I for 11 years now, and this year’s campaign is arguably the best one we’ve done to date, thanks in large part to the support from our generous donors and friends. Our television commercial is spectacular – a great representation of the university and Breakthrough campaign platform. We have some great guerrilla marketing concepts that will be coming to life over the holidays and in the spring when the weather warms up again. We are aligning our efforts across the university to ensure a more cohesive and complete experience for our stakeholders. And all of it is based on data from alumni focus groups. Great things are on the way, and I love knowing that we’re headed in the right direction.

6. What can alumni do to help this campaign be successful?
A. Be an ambassador. Share your story – what was YOUR breakthrough moment? What was the moment when you knew you made the right decision when you chose to become a Vandal, and set you on the course to where you are today? More than one moment? Life’s an adventure, and U of I helped prepare us for it. Please share these/your stories with your neighbors, your nieces and nephews. With all of us singing from the same song book we will effectively move our institution forward.

7. What was your breakthrough moment at U of I?
I have more than one, starting with the moment I realized that going out of state (I'm originally from Montana) to college was a real possibility because of U of I's financial aid program. Breakthroughs are moments that shape us into the people we were meant to be and usually not singular in nature. For me, there have been a series of both personal and professional moments – all tied to the university – that have enabled me to try, fail and flourish. I’d love to grab coffee with any alumni that would like to swap insights and stories sometime.

Thank you to Johanna for her time and talent in leading our university marketing.

Go Vandals!
Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association
Breakthrough at U of I

University of Idaho's commercial airing now on regional television networks and streaming services.

Share your breakthrough story

Upcoming Alumni Events

Oct. 24 – Vandals Make a Difference, Canyon County
Oct. 25 – Vandal Night at Scarywood #1, Athol, Idaho
Oct. 26 – Vandals Make a Difference Project, Ada County
Oct. 26 – Vandal Night at Scarywood #2, Athol, Idaho
Oct. 27 – Vandals vs. Portland State Post-Match Gathering, Hillsboro, Oregon
Oct. 31 – Cheer on Vandal Volleyball, Sacramento, California
Oct. 31-Nov. 29 – Vandals Make a Difference: School Supply Drive, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 2 – GOLD Brewery Bus Tour, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 2 – Home Vandal Tailgate, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 2 – Vandals Make a Difference: Adopt-a-Highway, Filer, Idaho
Nov. 2 – Volleyball vs. Portland State Pre-game gathering, Portland, Ore. Nov. 9 – Vandals Make a Difference: Rake Up Boise, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 9 – Vandal Tailgate at Montana, Missoula, Montana
Nov. 9 – Chapter Watch Parties
Nov. 15-17 – Fall Parent and Family Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 15 – Humanitarian Bowl Champions Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 16 – Home Vandal Tailgate, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 23 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Homecoming Re-Cap

Vandals Win! Together, with you, we collected over two tons of food to fight food insecurity in Idaho.

To our Vandals afar, thank you for sharing photos, voting in the Vandalize Moscow contest, watching the parade live-stream, attending a watch party and participating in our donation drives.

• Vandals skin the Bengals 45-21 in Battle of the Domes Homecoming matchup.
• Back-to-back wins for Volleyball over Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
• Soccer wins in overtime against Northern Arizona on Senior Day.

U of I cross-college collaboration brings 150 LED triangles to Vandal Marching Band's 100th anniversary halftime performance.

Help us improve your homecoming experience next year. Take our post-event survey.

Vandal Theory Podcast Season 2

“We really started thinking about, what do we want to explore on Titan? We want to explore these interesting organic grains…Of course, organic stuff is…what life is made of. It’s made of carbon-based molecules. And so when we’re looking at Titan we’re looking at the most exciting carbon chemistry anywhere but Earth.”

Meet Jason Barnes, who was recently promoted to professor at the University of Idaho. Jason is a founding member of an international team of scientists that has spent years designing a robotic quadcopter that can land on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. This drone-like rotorcraft, which is affectionately named Dragonfly, is intended to fly from sampling site to sampling site, studying the moon’s atmosphere and surface. In the long run, Dragonfly should help scientists answer questions about how life started on Earth.

Could Titan sustain life? Jason Barnes plans to find out. Listen on the latest "The Vandal Theory" podcast.

Four fabulous Vandal-connected wines have been selected for the fall Vandals Uncorked release. Two reds, two whites, all delicious.

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid has been chosen as our October/November book-club book. Join in, for free, today.

Greetings, Vandal Family,

Our alma mater has been supporting the Idaho economy since before Idaho was a state – with research that makes our industries more efficient, effective and profitable; with outreach and Extension centers serving all 44 counties: and perhaps most importantly, with a well-educated, well-prepared work force.

President Scott Green has said it often: employers tell him they prefer to hire Vandals. Why? Because the vast majority of them have the opportunity to actually work in their field in the form of undergraduate research and internships well before they graduate. So, when they show up that first day of work at a firm, farm or factory, they immediately add value.

As someone who has hired multiple Vandals, I would say that they also come with strong “soft” skills in addition to their formal education. They are hard-working, self-sufficient problem-solvers who know how to communicate and work as part of a team. It doesn’t hurt that they already have silver and gold in their wardrobes and know the words to the best fight song on the planet.

The university also tailors its academic offerings to support industry. Idaho’s meat industry needs more employees trained in areas like meat science, engineering and marketing, and the U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is answering the call with the new Agri Beef Meat Science and Innovation Center Honoring Ron Richard, which will be sited right next door to the new Seed Potato Germplasm Program facility. Did you know 90% of the potatoes in Idaho can be traced to the Seed Potato Lab and about 60% nationwide?

When Vandals are hired – and most of them have a job in their field within the first year of graduation – they command the highest starting salaries of graduates from any public college in the state. And, all Vandals – current and alumni – have the benefit of our fine Career Services professionals to help every step of the way.

Every year, employer participation at U of I career fairs and related events grows. The University of Idaho is developing a top-quality product in high demand, and that is something we can all be proud of.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association
Upcoming Alumni Events

Upcoming Alumni Events

Nov. 9 – Vandals Make a Difference: Rake Up Boise, Boise, Idaho
Nov. 9 – Vandal Tailgate at Montana, Missoula, Montana
Nov. 9 – Puget Sound Watch Party & VSF Spirit Auction, Seattle, Washington
Nov. 9 – Alumni Chapter Watch Parties
Nov. 11 - Idaho Alumni Happy Hour, San Deigo, California
Nov. 15-17 – Fall Parent & Family Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 15 – Humanitarian Bowl Champions Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 16 – Home Vandal Tailgate, Moscow, Idaho
Nov. 20 – Idaho Women vs. Seattle U Basketball pregame, Seattle, Washington
Nov. 23 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona
Nov. 30 – Idaho Men vs. Seattle U Basketball Pregame, Seattle, Washington
Dec. 10 – Davenport Holiday Dinner, Spokane, Washington

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Midwest to Meat Science

Brianna Buseman took a chance on the University of Idaho.

Buseman grew up in Canistota, South Dakota on a fifth generation Angus cattle and sheep farm. After earning undergraduate degrees in animal science with a meat science emphasis and agricultural business from South Dakota State University, Buseman wasn’t sure where life would take her next.

When she decided to apply for graduate school, she met U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Assistant Professor Phil Bass.

Alumni Programs Highlight

U of I's official wine club announces its fall release, just in time for your holiday gatherings.

Three football games left means we have three Vandal Tailgates planned to help you cheer on the Vandals.

Greetings, Vandal Family,

My friend, Frank Fletcher ‘53 – a California Vandal I met when I first took this job – had strong opinions, some of which I agreed with! We had many a conversation before he passed away in August, and I am better for having known him.

One thing he taught me was the difference between being “lucky” and “fortunate.” Being lucky, Frank would argue, is when you find a dollar bill on the sidewalk or score the last available parking spot. Being fortunate, on the other hand, was something much greater, much deeper for him.

Frank characterized being fortunate as having family and friends who care, good health, a place to live and food to eat, a nice glass of wine, a rewarding career, pets to love and the opportunity to enjoy good music, literature and art. He considered himself to be fortunate, and by his definition, I count myself as being truly fortunate as well.

Here are just a few of many things on the professional front for which I am thankful this year:

• The opportunity to work with a Vandal president. It matters that we have a leader who knows and loves this institution from the perspective of a former student, dedicated volunteer and successful alumnus.
• Members of the Vandal Family all over the country and around the globe who are re-energized and stepping up to serve our alma mater as advisory board members, chapter leaders, student recruiters and more. Your time and dedication makes all the difference to our university and your fellow alumni. Thank you!
• The Vandalize the Classroom project. With the help of our partners in University Communications and Marketing and the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management, we soon will have equipped more than 1,000 Vandal teachers in classrooms all over the country with the means to proudly show their students (potential future Vandals) the silver and gold, brave and bold!
• My colleagues in the Office of Alumni Relations and Advancement Communications. We have initiated some great new projects and grown our existing programs with creativity and persistence. I appreciate their willingness to tackle everything we do with energy and expertise. Please know that I appreciate you and all you do for U of I: Tim Helmke, Marie Duncan, Jamie Wagner, Sandy Larsen, Kristi Overfelt, Katie Dahlinger, Shane Snyder, Josh Nishimoto, Wil Everly, Jake Milleson, Hagen Hunsaker and our work-study students. Rock stars all!

I wish every member of the Vandal Family a happy, food-filled, fun-filled Thanksgiving. Safe travels for those on the road to be with loved ones. Enjoy each other and the day!

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Nov. 20 – Idaho Women vs. Seattle U Basketball pregame, Seattle, Wash.
Nov. 23 – Vandal Tailgate at Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Ariz.
Nov. 30 – Idaho Men vs. Seattle U Basketball Pregame, Seattle, Wash.
Dec. 6 – Christmas Lights at Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell, Idaho
Dec. 10 – Davenport Holiday Dinner, Spokane, Wash.
Jan. 18 – Vandal Night with the Spokane Chiefs, Spokane, Wash.

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Vandals Make A Difference

As Vandals, we're doers. We're curious about real problems and work to solve them. Earlier this fall, our chapter leaders were asked to evaluate the needs of their communities and put U of I chapter volunteers to work to meet those needs as a part of the national Make a Difference Day movement. This organized, collaborative effort brings Vandals together to serve others in their communities while demonstrating the reach and power of the Vandal network.

Our chapters cleaned, raked, donated, stocked and shared knowledge logging more than 140 service hours on the following projects:

• Palouse Chapter cleared trails at Idler's Rest Nature Preserve.
• Canyon County Chapter stocked their local food bank.
• Latinx Chapter hosted a first-generation professionals panel at TRiO orientation for students of disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Ada County Chapter served the Women's and Children's Alliance by cleaning, sterilizing and landscaping.
• Ada County Chapter also participated in the annual Rake Up Boise event.
• Magic Valley Chapter adopted a highway to support Idaho Transportation Department's anti-litter commitment.
• Colorado Chapter collected donations to comfort and entertain kids at Children's Hospital in Aurora.

If you would like to serve in your community, contact your local chapter.

Here's My U of I Breakthrough

Upon finishing my enlistment in the U. S. Navy, I sought re-enrollment at the University of Idaho. Unfortunately, my prior academic performance and some credits taken at another institution created a major barrier to my plans. Dean Ernest Wohletz of the College of Forestry, who had initially recruited me, went to bat for me and plead my case to the necessary individuals and solved the problem.

His confidence in me went a long way toward building confidence in myself. Graduation day was a huge relief, and a springboard to a successful career in the Forest Products Industry. His intercession and support was a defining moment in my life that I will always be grateful for.

Bob Cochrane '62
Portland, Ore.

Share your U of I Breakthrough story

Alumni Programs Highlight

The latest edition of Here We Have Idaho magazine has been delivered to mailboxes and is available online. Make sure you get the next one by updating your contact information.
Read the Magazine >>

The Office of Alumni Relations hosted the 2009 Humanitarian Bowl Champions Reunion Nov. 15-16, celebrating the brave and bold grit that led to the win over Bowling Green Dec.30, 2009.

The Student Alumni Relations Board hosted fall Parent and Family Weekend Nov. 15-17, with hundreds of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings learning what is so special about the Vandal experience.

Vandal license plates support scholarships for students. To date, alumni, fans and friends have raised over $612,000!

Joe Knows...News Headlines

Talking quiet, playing loud
Idaho Press Tribune - November 15, 2019

Innovative program in north central Idaho prepares students for local manufacturing jobs
Idaho@Work - November 14, 2019

A nation's history 'right here in the room'
Moscow-Pullman Daily News - November 12, 2019

U of I-led Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment advances with $11 million funding boost
U of I News - November 11, 2019

Greetings, Vandal Family,

And just like that, fall semester – and 2019 – is almost over. Next week is "Dead Week" (no exams), then finals, then winter break. I swear, it happens faster every year!

I bet most of us remember the feel of those days after Thanksgiving break and before the end of fall semester. The Moscow skies are winter gray. No snow, but cold enough to, at least, warrant long pants. The trees are bare, and it is dark by 4 p.m. The library lights burn bright into the wee hours. Campus is quiet; you can hear the carillon clearly from anywhere in town.

Students have that “three final projects – two research papers – and a very tough exam” look about them as they rush to class. There’s a purposeful seriousness in the air that speaks to the substance of what earning a University of Idaho degree actually entails. No walk in the park here. The academic rigor is real, and it is time to get down to business.

About 600 of those students will finish the final finals week of their college career. They will walk across the stage Dec. 14 to begin their next chapter – a new career or grad school or who knows what adventure. What a proud moment for them and the entire Vandal Family!

Here’s to all of them, from the freshmen getting their first taste of finals at the college level to the near graduates about to venture out to put their hard-earned degree to work. Like us, they will get through it and know the satisfaction of finishing something difficult and absolutely worth the effort.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association
Upcoming Alumni Events

Upcoming Alumni Events

Dec. 6 – Christmas Lights at Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell, Idaho
Dec. 10 – Davenport Holiday Dinner, Spokane, Wash.
Jan. 18 – Vandal Night with the Spokane Chiefs, Spokane, Wash.

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Holiday Recipe Challenge

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students in the Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences are challenged each year to create holiday-appropriate recipes. This year, eight teams of students were tasked with creating a dish that reflects the joy and comfort of coming home for the holidays, using beef provided by Vandal Brand Meats. Students presented their recipes to a panel of alumni, faculty, staff and community members.

What dish was deemed the winner? The Vandal Beef Wreath, from the kitchen of Jacklyn Jensen and Alissa McCullough.

Here's My U of I Breakthrough

By Kim (Stavros) Jacobson '77

My breakthrough moment began during my senior year. I was pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design. William H. Kibbie, a former U of I student turned philanthropist, had recently made a generous $300,000 donation to enclose our outdoor stadium, and now it was complete, standing there in all its glory forever changing the campus skyline.

My graphic design professor, Jim Engelhardt, proposed to the university that his students create a branding campaign for the newly named Kibbie Dome. This included creating a new logo, typography and color palette and incorporating these elements into the design of informational kiosks and site signage. It also involved designing the graphics that would adorn the massive half-round exterior panels, as well as all of the interior wall graphics (referred to in the industry back then as “super graphics” due to their immense size). We integrated the proposed colors into functional concourse signage and playful concession stands, and created custom banners that hung from the rafters on each end of the field commemorating fellow schools in the Big Sky Conference. We worked an entire year on the project and assigned teams and tasks based on individual talent. We proposed designs and presented them before our peers, conducting internal reviews and critiques, revising and perfecting each stage of the conceptualization process. We built mockups and presented our campaign before the university, outlining each step in the production phase.

My breakthrough moment came in 1977 following graduation, when I returned to the university to help execute the production phase. Working on scaffolding with brushes and rollers and huge buckets of paint, we transformed this blank canvas into a work of art, bringing our designs to life. What an awesome and amazing hands-on experience! I knew then I was right where I was supposed to be, and credit my education at the University of Idaho for laying the foundation that helped launch a rewarding 42-year career.

Forever grateful!

Kim (Stavros) Jacobson '77

Share your U of I Breakthrough Story

Alumni Programs Highlight

Vandals came together to raise nearly $13,000 in support of Giving Tuesday an international day of charitable giving Dec. 3. Over 110 donations were made to U of I programs that impact communities around our state!

Diploma frames are a perfect gift for the recent, or not-so-recent, Vandal grad.

Holiday social media contest: Tag @UidahoAlumni in your holiday family photo by Dec. 20 , and we'll give away an alumni prize bundle. Winner announced by Dec. 23.

Joe Knows...News Headlines

Childhood friend 3D prints prosthetic arm for McCall man
KTVB - November 29, 2019

Moscow's 'superhero': Sam Lewis, a volunteer distance coach at UI, is a mountain and trail runner for Team USA
Lewiston Tribune - November 28, 2019

Dairy a major part of Idaho's economy
MarketScreener - November 26, 2019

Alumni chapters nationwide await more Vandal grads.
To join, simply contact a chapter volunteer.

Dear Alumni,

Holiday greetings from our family to yours.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

P.S. The Vandal Vibe is taking a break for the holidays and will return to inboxes Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 18 – Vandal Night with the Spokane Chiefs, Spokane, Washington
Jan. 24-25 – Kappa Alpha Theta Centennial Founder's Day, Moscow, Idaho
Feb. 21-22 – All Greek Reunion, Moscow, Idaho
March 6 – Phi gamma Delta 100th Pig Dinner Weekend, Moscow, Idaho
March 16 – Junior Achievement Volunteer Opportunity, Boise, Idaho
March 20, 21 – Arizona Spring Training Baseball, Tempe/Mesa, Arizona
March 22 – Arizona Chapter 13th Annual Golf Tournament, Phoenix, Arizona

View more events on the alumni calendar.

Cultural Expression

U of I Grad Returns Home to Teach Native Students Through Art

When Jessica Matsaw walked across the commencement stage this fall, it marked the beginning of the trek back to the students she loves, in the town she calls home, among her Shoshone-Bannock family in Fort Hall.

“When we have dynamic folks like Jessica who want to do great things for their own community in Idaho, that’s really what the land-grant mission at U of I is all about,” said Taylor Raney, the director of Teacher Education in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences.

Here's My U of I Breakthrough

By Donald Ehrich '77

I graduated in 1977 and have subsequently served 20-plus years in the military, 20-plus years in federal civil service and over 10 years in state and local government service including as an elected official. I've lead organizations of several hundred people, flown a military jet aircraft, visited and driven in all 50 states and eight foreign countries, earned a graduate degree, raised three children to be responsible citizens of good character and contributed thousands of hours to my local community through my individual efforts and through my service in Kiwanis.

One of the most significant moments in my life of 65 years came during my student teaching at a Moscow elementary school. I was asked to work with several special-needs students in between classes as part of my student-teaching. One of my tasks was to help a seven-year-old girl with a mental acuity of less than 20 months learn to navigate steps and climb stairs on her own. It took us weeks, but I can still vividly remember the joy on her face as we achieved success. That was a personal breakthrough in learning what is truly important in this life we lead.

Share your U of I Breakthrough story

Alumni Programs Highlight

Announcing Vandal Book Club's new selection "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone" by Lori Gottlieb for December - January reading.

The Vandal Holiday Spirit was alive and well at the annual Davenport Holiday Dinner with a special performance from the Vandaleers Dec. 10.

Add some silver and gold sparkle to your jewelry box with a custom class ring.

Holiday social media contest: Tag @UidahoAlumni in your holiday family photo by Dec. 31, and we'll give away an alumni prize bundle. Winner announced by Jan. 3.

Joe Knows...News Headlines

'It's the right thing to do': Idaho education leaders implement tuition freeze for 2020
KREM.com - December 12, 2019

Mike Iupati's NFL career - one grand NFC West tour - has taken the ex-Idaho guard back home to the Pacific Northwest
The Spokesman Review - December 12, 2019

U of I Kibbie Dome clear bag policy starts January 1
KHQ.com - December 8, 2019

How many species of potato are stored at U of I? More than 300.
Vandal Theory Podcast - December 9 , 2019

Idaho burbot researchers look to shift from conservation to commercial aquaculture
SeafoodSource - December 4, 2019