Supporting Access to Higher Education Kyra (Guest) Ferenc ‘97 and Sid Ferenc understand that today’s students are the pioneers and innovators of the future. They believe in opening doors to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and, through the Ferenc Family Foundation of Brooklyn, have made a generous gift to University of Idaho’s STEM Access program. STEM Access is one of seven TRiO projects funded at the College of Education; it connects students from the Lewis-Clark Valley to a path that supports high school efforts and leads to college, especially in the areas of STEM. Kyra Ferenc, a Vandal alumna and former educator who believes in encouraging a love of learning and critical thinking, chose to invest in the program after seeing the passion and enthusiasm of the program’s director, Kirsten LaPaglia. The donation to STEM Access will help further the education and foster excitement in youth who might not otherwise have an opportunity to explore higher education. For information about how to support TRiO or other programs in the College of Education, contact Marta McClintock at martam@uidaho.edu. | | | U&I Give: New Crowdfunding Platform Supports Programs The University of Idaho is celebrating the launch of its first-ever crowdfunding platform, U&I Give. From April 3 to April 28, Vandal friends, students, faculty, staff and alumni will have the opportunity to directly support UI student projects and programs through four unique campaigns. The University of Idaho Humanitarian Engineering Campaign is designing and building clean water access for a small community in Carani, Bolivia. The ALB Student Space campaign supports efforts by College of Business and Economics students to renovate student space in the Alberston’s Building. The Center for Volunteerism and Social Action wants to add weekend trips to Alternative Service Breaks, making the service experience accessible for all Vandal students who want to give back and create a better world. The UI Advertising Team offers professional development and hands-on learning in national competition, opportunities enhanced by donor support. Funding these campaigns enables students to do meaningful work, discover new cultures and apply emerging skills. Give now to make an immediate impact on the lives of students. | | | Vandaleers to Perform at Carnegie Hall The Vandaleers, the University of Idaho’s prestigious choral group, is going to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. The concert, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9, is the Vandaleers’ second at Carnegie Hall. Their first performance was in 1991. “For musicians, an opportunity to perform on the historic and acoustically vibrant stage of Carnegie Hall is a great achievement that we all dream of,” said Michael Murphy, director of choral activities and associate professor of music in the UI’s Lionel Hampton School of Music. “The Vandaleers will have the honor to perform a solo concert that will show a mastery of a variety of music.” At the concert, the Vandaleers will feature a varied repertoire of songs from the United States, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany and Haiti. The Vandaleers are traveling to New York as their 2017 annual tour destination. Since Murphy’s arrival as director in 2008, Vandaleers tours have included trips throughout the Northwest and Europe. | | | | | |