September 12, 2006

Dear Friends:

Once again, the Boise State football team is giving the university a wonderful opportunity to showcase other noteworthy achievements beyond the blue. To be sure, the Broncos’ impressive 42-14 victory over Oregon State in front of a capacity crowd on national television last Thursday evening wasn’t the only big news on our campus. Allow me to share some other noteworthy accomplishments at Boise State.

For the ninth time in the last 10 years, Boise State has set an all-time state enrollment record for higher education institutions in the state of Idaho with a fall enrollment of 18,876 — an increase of 277 students overall. This year’s fall enrollment is positive from many perspectives. The number of additional students was manageable, academic quality continued to increase, ethnic and geographic diversity improved, and the biggest percentage increases occurred at the graduate and upper-division levels, where the university has the capacity.

Of major significance, the university grew by 132 graduate students, an increase of almost 9 percent. In addition, the 13,716 full-time equivalent students is an increase of 203 from last fall’s enrollment, with significant growth among the number of minority and out-of-state students. Both headcount and FTE numbers represent our target of a 1.5 percent increase.

It is worth noting that since 1996, Boise State has grown by more than 3,700 students, or 25 percent, and its FTE number has increased by 31 percent. During that same time span, Boise State has been raising its admissions standards — now the highest among Idaho’s public institutions — to manage growth and increase student success. And because of those heightened standards, we were forced to deny 815 students degree-seeking admission for this fall semester.

Our most recent record enrollment further validates a Boise State education and helps solidify our metropolitan mission. Even in a strong job market, people are opting to pursue their undergraduate and graduate educations as the key to their future. The record number of students choosing Boise State is further evidence of our academic quality through learning in both the classroom and research laboratory.

Speaking of research, Boise State received $23.8 million for externally funded research and sponsored projects for the fiscal year that ended June 30. The awards include grants from the National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho Department of Education and a number of other state and federal agencies, as well as from businesses and private foundations. Cancer studies, wind energy research, watershed investigations and bird migration surveys are just a few of the many research projects funded in fiscal year 2006.

Boise State’s fiscal year 2006 total follows a general trajectory of increases in external funding over the past 20 years. This year’s $23.8 million total is more than double that received in fiscal year 1999, when the university received $10.9 million for external awards, and nearly 10 times the $2.4 million received in fiscal year 1985. The external funding our researchers continue to receive is further proof that Boise State is fulfilling its metropolitan mission, serving as a catalyst for economic development that helps train a work force for the high-tech jobs of the future.

Another indication of our ongoing tranformation into a research university of distinction is the addition of 51 new faculty members. Along with the excellent faculty and staff who already work here, this infusion of new talent will undoubtedly help the university move forward. The effective teaching and innovative research of our faculty members are part of the foundation on which Boise State is built. Our new professors will expand the university’s capacity to help our students gain the knowledge and skills they need for 21st century jobs and provide expertise in expanded academic offerings across the curriculum.

Also worth mentioning is the College of Engineering’s spot in the U.S. News & World Report’s recent rankings of the nation’s best engineering programs among public, comprehensive universities. I’m pleased to report that our engineering school moved up from No. 19 to No. 12 — quite an accomplishment indeed.

Lastly, Boise State enjoyed another outstanding fiscal year in the fund-raising department with $15.6 million raised. The continued efforts of the Boise State Foundation and the support of our donors are helping to lay the groundwork for the early stages of our first comprehensive fund-raising campaign.

With our student housing at capacity, new and expanded degree programs, the enrollment of 10 National Merit Scholars, the ongoing construction of our state-of-the-art Interactive Learning Center and other long-range building projects, I am sure you will agree that it’s hard not to get excited about what’s happening on and off the field at Boise State.

As always, thanks for all you do for the university.

Best Regards,

Bob Kustra
President