Five Decades of Generosity – Going Strong
U of I’s Loyal Donor Program Honors Longtime Supporters
The University of Idaho established a program in 2014 to celebrate individuals and organizations who have made philanthropic gifts to the university for 20 or more cumulative years. The Loyal Donor program recognizes consistent giving to U of I, regardless the amount, because every gift makes a difference for our students.
This year, we recognize the first group of Loyal Donors to reach 50 cumulative years of giving to support what they care about at U of I. We thank them for their generosity and dedication to the University of Idaho.
- Mervin E. '61 and Barbara M. Crowser
- Marylinn M. Heikkila
- Julius “Pete” Peterson '62
- Duane W. Jr. '68 and Phyllis Y. Rimel
- Shirley K. Severn '48
When these Loyal Donors made their earliest gifts, the university and student life looked a bit different than it does today. In 1969, the Buchanan Engineering Laboratory, Education Building and Theophilus Tower were newly completed. Ernest W. Hartung was president. Students stood in long lines to register for classes, and “royalty” included a Miss University of Idaho and an Ugly Man. The campus welcomed musical group the Don Shirley Trio, whose unique style melded classical, jazz, spiritual and popular elements. A part of Shirley's life was featured in the Oscar-winning 2018 film "Green Book.”
The Loyal Donor program is symbolized by the lampposts that illuminate Campus Drive and Hello Walk. Like those campus icons, gifts from Loyal Donors brighten the future of Vandals for generations to come. Learn more about the University of Idaho’s Loyal Donor program by visiting uidaho.edu/LoyalDonor.
Published in the Fall 2019 issue of Here We Have Idaho.