Long-Held Roots: Brad Little ‘77 to Serve as Spring 2019 Commencement Speaker
Gov. Brad Little’s Vandal roots run deep, as does his belief in education.
Idaho’s newly elected chief executive sees the state’s higher education institutions as laboratories of innovation that can help its future vitality.
“My one thing is I want the best possible opportunity for our kids to stay here in Idaho,” he said.
That’s held true in he and his wife’s life. Brad Little ’77 is a second-generation Vandal and Teresa Little ’76 is a fourth-generation Vandal. Should their grandchildren attend, they’d add a sixth generation to the mix.
Idaho’s 33rd governor will serve as commencement speaker during U of I’s spring 2019 commencement ceremony Saturday, May 11, at the ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center. Learn more about commencement.
The recipient of an agriculture business degree, Brad met Teresa Little at a Greek exchange on campus. He looks back fondly on the friendships formed during his time in the Phi Delta Theta house and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
He’s continued to be involved through the U of I Foundation Board and the Department of Animal and Veterinary Science advisory board.
“I’m just very thankful for not only the professional experience I got but the social experience I got,” Little said, noting he met friends from other parts of the country and the world during his time at the university. “Being exposed to those values and norms was good for a kid from Emmett, Idaho.”
Article by Brad Gary, University Communications and Marketing.
Published in the Spring 2019 issue of Here We Have Idaho.