| Dear Friends, I’ve spent much of this week in Washington D.C. meeting with Vandals and friends as well as government leaders. It was great to meet with so many enthusiastic friends in both formal and informal settings. I was warmly received into the Vandal family, just as I have experienced here in Idaho. Members of Idaho’s congressional delegation and their staffs also shared their enthusiasm for helping us position the University of Idaho for greater success on the national scale. One of the most passionate groups gathered in D.C. as a show of support for Operation Education, a program created by Vandals to help meet the unique needs of wounded veterans when they return as students. We were able to thank some of them as well as recognize the work of Operation Education Advisory Council Honorary Co-chair Bonnie Amos -- wife of UI alum Gen. James Amos ’70, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. I’m excited to report that my wife Mary Beth has agreed to serve as the other honorary co-chair with Bonnie. Operation Education and our other services for veterans have resulted in the U of I’s recognition as being among the nation’s top 50 veteran-friendly U.S. campuses. One of the best ways that our University can thank our veterans for their service is by offering them support as they pursue their educations. This recognition is due to the efforts of our faculty and staff as well as many donors and volunteers. This is the embodiment of a deeper commitment to others that I’ve seen in Vandals. When Mary Beth and I visited the Amos Veterans' Center last week in Moscow, we could sense that, if our son or daughter were a veteran, we would be confident that Dan Button and Scott Oplinger would treat them as we would want them to be treated. And, we have found in our first weeks here that this level of care extends to many other groups on campus. That’s why we continue to see more than one third of our freshman coming from families without a college graduate. That’s why we continue to see an increase in our minority and international students. That’s why our students in general stay and graduate in remarkable numbers. We strive to treat others as one would want a son or daughter, a family member or friend to be treated. That philosophy makes the University a great place to be a student and to work. Go Vandals! Sincerely, Chuck Staben President | | | ![down arrow](https://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/objects/fridayletter/images/down_darkbg.jpg) | *|GROUP:A|* Former Joint Chiefs Chair To Keynote At Borah Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wlll give the keynote address at the Borah Symposium April 7-9. Learn More » *|END:GROUP|* | | *|GROUP:A|* Vandals Honor Moms Next Weekend The University of Idaho will celebrate 125 years of Vandal moms this year for the annual Moms’ Weekend April 4-6, events throughout the weekend. Learn More »*|END:GROUP|* | | *|GROUP:A|* Halls Propel Golf Program Jess Hall ’74 and his wife Kathleen’s gift will allow for the planning of an indoor golf hitting facility to move forward. “Smaller sports programs don’t generally get the attention of bigger programs, and we wanted to help this established sport at Idaho,” said Hall. “Kathleen and I like how this project will benefit both the men’s and women’s teams. Idaho needs the facility to be competitive with other golf programs in the northwest.” University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear has worked closely with the Halls on the project. “Because of the generosity of Jess and Kathleen, our golf programs will have the luxury to practice year round,” Spear said. The Halls know how to deal with adverse weather as they’ve been building homes in Alaska for the last 35 years through their business, Hall Quality Homes. Jess is a native of Moscow and was excited for the opportunity to make a difference. “We are grateful to the Halls for their generous gift,” said Lisa Johnson, head women’s golf coach. “Their contribution will greatly impact our recruiting and training and help build a successful future for Vandal Golf.” For more on giving to Vandal Athletics, contact Ryan Gerulf at (208) 364-4566 or ryang@uidaho.edu. *|END:GROUP|* | | | *|GROUP:B|* Former Joint Chiefs Chair To Keynote At Borah Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wlll give the keynote address at the Borah Symposium April 7-9. Learn More » Vandals Honor Moms Next Weekend The University of Idaho will celebrate 125 years of Vandal moms this year for the annual Moms’ Weekend April 4-6, events throughout the weekend. Learn More » Halls Propel Golf Program Jess Hall ’74 and his wife Kathleen’s gift will allow for the planning of an indoor golf hitting facility to move forward. “Smaller sports programs don’t generally get the attention of bigger programs, and we wanted to help this established sport at Idaho,” said Hall. “Kathleen and I like how this project will benefit both the men’s and women’s teams. Idaho needs the facility to be competitive with other golf programs in the northwest.” University of Idaho Athletic Director Rob Spear has worked closely with the Halls on the project. “Because of the generosity of Jess and Kathleen, our golf programs will have the luxury to practice year round,” Spear said. The Halls know how to deal with adverse weather as they’ve been building homes in Alaska for the last 35 years through their business, Hall Quality Homes. Jess is a native of Moscow and was excited for the opportunity to make a difference. “We are grateful to the Halls for their generous gift,” said Lisa Johnson, head women’s golf coach. “Their contribution will greatly impact our recruiting and training and help build a successful future for Vandal Golf.” For more on giving to Vandal Athletics, contact Ryan Gerulf at (208) 364-4566 or ryang@uidaho.edu. | *|END:GROUP|* | | |