Welcome to the beginning of a great year in Vandal Country. It has been so exciting to be back in Idaho, touring the state, getting to know this university. Now I have the honor of welcoming new and returning students across our statewide campus to fall semester. Yesterday we celebrated our University Convocation, marking the official start to the year for new Vandals. I have a simple message to our incoming students: Welcome to the Vandal Family. You made the right choice. - The University of Idaho is an outstanding choice for an academic experience that elevates students on their way to exciting careers. Students learn from faculty members who are mentors, who are leaders in their fields, and who are members of a caring community. Our student organizations, as well as our fraternities and sororities, are an important part of the diverse, inclusive environment that helps all students succeed. You’ll thrive here. You’ll fit in, and you’ll stand out.
- U of I is a land-grant, national research university – that means we’re uniquely charged to lead in discovery and innovation that makes a difference for Idaho and the planet. Students are a part of that mission – two-thirds of undergraduates participate in research projects. You can help shape the future.
- U of I is a launching pad for student success. Vandal graduates go on to rewarding careers and salaries that provide a sound financial footing. More importantly, Vandals grow as leaders, thinkers and citizens. Who do you want to be? Where do you want to go?
Convocation provides a window into an exciting future for our new Vandals. I want to thank our Convocation speaker, Richard Rock, for bringing our students his own example of Vandal success and an inspiring message: “Now is the perfect time for all of you to make a commitment to yourself that you're going to be a lifelong learner. That's a skill that will never go out of style. It will never go obsolete.” I couldn’t agree more. As president, I have the privilege of championing this university. If you don’t already, follow my Facebook page to see updates. I also invite you to share your Vandal pride. Welcoming a new future Vandal into the world? Celebrating an anniversary with someone you met at U of I? Marking an important milestone or taking your Vandal attire on a trip? Show off your Vandal pride, and I’ll share it in an upcoming Friday Letter. Help me tell the U of I story! | | Go Vandals! C. Scott Green President | | | | from U of I | | | I'm personally leasing this "Vandalized" truck to use as I drive around Idaho. I want people to know that U of I is in town! Share your Vandal pride - send pictures to president@uidaho.edu. Go Vandals! | | U of I was recently named one The Princeton Review’s “Best 385 Colleges” for 2020! The selection was based on affordability, academic quality and faculty excellence, among other factors. The report notes U of I "is truly a school that invests in its students.” | | | | research that makes a difference | | Rebuilding After Wildfire is Not Enough to Curb Future Disasters Wildfires in the West are becoming inevitable, and communities that rethink what it means to live with them will likely fare better than those that simply rebuild after they burn, concludes a paper in the journal Nature Sustainability and authored by a group of scientists, including U of I’s Crystal Kolden. Back-to-Back Low Snow Years Will Become More Common, U of I-Led Study Projects Consecutive low snow years may become six times more common across the Western United States over the latter half of this century, according to a University of Idaho-led study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, leading to ecological and economic challenges such as expanded fire seasons and poor snow conditions at ski resorts. U of I Study: Thyroid Hormone Can Alter Color Vision in Zebrafish, Potentially in Humans Exposure to thyroid hormone can alter eye function in zebrafish, a result with implications for curing color blindness and retinal degeneration in humans, according to a University of Idaho study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Zebrafish and humans have similar genetics when it comes to color vision. The findings could lead to new therapies for visual disorders. U of I Professor Named Idaho EPSCoR Director University of Idaho Professor Andrew Kliskey, a leader in researching how communities adapt with changing environments, will serve as the next Idaho Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) director. The collaborative statewide program, led by U of I, aims to stimulate Gem State research and involves many of Idaho’s higher education institutions. | | The generosity of our alumni, family, friends and partner organizations fuels breakthroughs across the University of Idaho. In fiscal year 2019, donors made it possible for 29 Vandal Promise and four Chobani Scholars to start their college journey, funded over 40 student-led projects and programs through crowdfunding, enabled us to break ground on the ICCU Arena and open the renovated Idaho WWAMI Medical Education building, and supported dozens of research projects and initiatives. Thank you for being a champion for the University of Idaho. To learn how you can support what matters to you, visit uidaho.edu/giving | | | | | |