Military service has long been integral to the University of Idaho. E.R. Chrisman was our first professor of Military Science and Tactics beginning in 1894 and motivated generations of young soldiers over four decades at the institution. Chrisman even recruited 39 of his cadets to join the Spanish-American War effort when conflict broke out in 1898. Two of his students did not return from that campaign, and a memorial commemorating their service stands on the Administration Building Lawn. Chrisman was called to assist his country many times in the ensuing decades, but always found his way back to the Moscow campus. He ultimately retired in 1932 as a brigadier general after 22 years of service, and was later recognized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as an emeritus commandant of the universityâs ROTC program. Chrisman died in 1939. U of Iâs Army ROTC battalion is named in Chrismanâs honor and his legacy of loyalty to this institution continues today. Itâs an honor to serve as president of a university that has such a rich heritage of supporting our members of the military and their families. U of I is ranked among the âBest Colleges for Veteransâ by U.S. News and World Report, and about 340 current students have served in the military. Veterans have traditionally made up between 2% and 3% of our Vandal Family. Such service is worthy of recognition. I was honored to speak Wednesday during a Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony on the Admin Lawn, where 315 American flags are on display to pay tribute to Vandal alumni who have been lost to war. |