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Three Stories of Vandal Graduate Success
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Dec. 8, 2017
Dear Friends,
Tomorrow marks a milestone for 618 Vandals. Crossing the stage at Commencement, they join 118,000 other graduates of Idaho’s great public research institution. Each University of Idaho graduate has a unique story to tell of challenges overcome, talents unleashed and goals realized on their way to that final stage. Here are three great examples of Vandal excellence from among our graduates, representative of the many different students we are proud to include in the Vandal family.
A 20-year veteran of the of the United States Air Force, including 14 years in a fire protection role, Sidney Boardman wanted to go back to college. U of I’s reputation made it all the way to an air base in England where he was working, and while Sidney had never lived in Idaho, it was the right fit for his experience and ambition. He credits support from our Veteran’s Services office, Student Support Services, the Martin Institute, and, most importantly, his wife, for helping him graduate tomorrow where he’ll receive an international studies degree. “It allowed me to look at the world through a different lens,” he said of his degree path. “You learn more about the world when you think about things in a different way.” For a person who’s already seen much of the world, he plans to use his degree to explore an international career.
Corrina Cheatham had a career with the TSA when she moved to Boise in 2008. But it wasn’t fulfilling, and a disability was affecting her personally and professionally. She enrolled in animal science classes at the College of Western Idaho. Eventually, with the encouragement and support of U of I faculty, she transferred to the University of Idaho. Faculty and staff accommodated her needs, including a service animal, and she worked very hard to excel in her studies while balancing her family life as she completed a degree in animal and veterinary science with a dairy option. “If you want to come to a school that is going to fully support you as a university, a college and a department, I would suggest UI,” she said. “It’s so much more of a family and more of a support system then I’ve ever seen in a school.” I can’t think of higher praise for our institution or our people, and I am so glad we have earned it from Corrina.
Claire Majors, from Montana, came to U of I in 2013, and learned from a few experiences, including an internship, before she eventually discovered her passion as an engineering major. Saying that “today’s adventurers are engineers,” Claire was excited to see the breakthroughs and discoveries that engineers get to make. Participating in the University of Idaho Humanitarian Engineering Corps with a trip to build potable water systems in the indigenous village of Carani, Bolivia, proved eye-opening for Claire, as I know it has for many involved in this program. After graduation, Claire’s next exploration is a doctorate in biological engineering, though she’ll continue to work with the Humanitarian Engineering Corps. Get interested, get involved, get ready for your future after a degree — it’s all a part of the U of I experience.
Each of these students had different entry points to higher education. I am proud that we have offered each an environment where they can find their passion, take advantage of opportunities, and prepare for a great career and a rewarding life. Thank you to all our graduating students for setting an example with hard work and inspiration that makes U of I a better place. We look forward to seeing what you do next.
Go Vandals!
Chuck Staben President
THE LATEST NEWS FROM U OF I
Auen Foundation Helps Transform Cummings Center
In 2005, the Auen Foundation generously gifted the University of Idaho full ownership of more than 1,000 acres of ranch land along with the following mission: Transform the land along the Salmon River into the future Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center. In November, groups from Salmon, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and U of I Extension Lemhi County gathered on the land for a groundbreaking ceremony. The Auen Foundation, the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, Nick and Sharon Purdy, Nikos Monoyios and the Idaho Cattle Foundation turned a powerful idea into reality by providing additional support to begin construction on the new educational and research facility. According to John Hall, Cummings Center superintendent, the 8,100-square-foot Cummings Center will house research projects and educational programming on cattle, grazing land maintenance, and cattle feed development. It will serve as a valuable resource for students and the community. For more information on foundation giving or supporting the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, contact Jen Root at jroot@uidaho.edu or 208-885-4087, or Chloe Rambo at 208-885-7060 or crambo@uidaho.edu.
Inspired Discoveries Research Report Available Online
The 2017 edition of Inspired Discoveries, the University of Idaho’s annual research report, is now available to explore online. Feature stories showcase the impact of the U of I research and scholarship enterprise across disciplines: work to visualize science, statewide collaborations to bolster cybersecurity, interdisciplinary research at the Integrated Research and Innovation Center (IRIC) and more. Inspired Discoveries also summarizes FY16 expenditures as reported to the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey. The stories and funding overviews highlight the university’s research, scholarly, creative and technology commercialization activities that drive discovery and innovation.
Tell Us What You Think About Here We Have Idaho Magazine
Do you get Here We Have Idaho magazine? Whether you are an alum, employee, student, parent or just a friend of the University of Idaho, your feedback can help inform the direction of the magazine. Tell us what you think by taking this quick survey. All responses are reported as statistical totals only; respondents will not be individually identified.
IGEM Grant Advances Partnership with Industry
The University of Idaho, its Idaho Falls center and partners at Boise State University and the Center for Advanced Energy Studies have secured a $237,898 Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission (IGEM) grant from the Idaho Department of Commerce to further develop the university’s partnership with Japanese company Sakae Casting. The grant will help fund research efforts toward the development of an aluminum cast with embedded natural boron for cooling used nuclear fuel. Richard Christensen, director of nuclear engineering at U of I in Idaho Falls, and Assistant Professor of nuclear engineering R. A. Borrelli will work with partners CAES and BSU on the project. Efforts on the IGEM project will go toward commercialization research aimed at bringing Sakae’s viable technologies to market. The IGEM grant is the second awarded to an Idaho Falls-based project in as many years. U of I’s College of Engineering was previously awarded a $2.1 million IGEM grant in 2016 to help develop new methods of protecting Idaho and national cyber infrastructure.