November 28, 2007

Dear Friends,

Most of us are can think of one or two teachers who truly inspired us – one of those rare individuals with a contagious passion and ability to connect that reaches far beyond the day’s subject matter and creates a spark in the mind that flickers long after we’ve left their classroom.

Boise State communication professor Heidi Reeder, recently named the 2007 Idaho Professor of the Year by the national Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, is one of those teachers. Here’s what one of her students says about her:

“Dr. Reeder guided me on a path of self-worth and discovery. She enabled me to see my full potential and assisted me in breaking the self-made barriers holding me back. I only hope my actions reflect her teachings and that in some small way I too will have an impact on those around me.”  Mary Dawson, 2005 Communications Graduate

Her colleagues, including department chair Rick Moore, have similar praise for Heidi:

“Students love her classes. They linger in the hallway to talk to her when class is done, and even seem to show up outside her office long after they graduate.”

Heidi’s selection as the 7th Boise State professor to be honored as Idaho Professor of the Year in the last 10 years makes evident the long tradition of teaching excellence at our University. It’s faculty like Heidi – those who passionately embrace their role as educator, scholar, and community resource – who are leading our advancement as a metropolitan research university of distinction and are adding to the value of a Boise State education each and every day. When you add Heidi’s recent and well-deserved honor to the long list of Boise State faculty who have been Idaho Professors of the Year, Boise State’s preeminence in teaching is very clear and impressive.

As always, the students, faculty and staff of Boise State University thank you for your steadfast support.

Sincerely,

Bob Kustra

Other recent items of interest from Boise State University:

• A group of Boise State University researchers received $940,000 in federal funding for West Nile virus vaccine research earlier this month. President Bush signed legislation, shepherded through Congress by U.S. Rep. Bill Sali and U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, authorizing the research program on Nov. 13. The interdisciplinary team of researchers, led by Ken Cornell in Boise State’s Department of Chemistry, will work with the U.S. Department of Defense to finalize details and move forward with the research. Cornell will work with biology professors Juliet Tinker, Denise Wingett and Gongxin Yu on the research.
• Boise State University art professor Larry McNeil, was selected as one of five artists nationwide to contribute to the Art in Embassies program, which places works by American artists in embassies around the world. McNeil attended a reception at Blair House, the president’s guest house, to honor the participating artists. First lady Laura Bush attended and personally congratulated McNeil. Established by the U.S. State Department in 1964, the Art In Embassies Program is a global museum that exhibits original works of art by U.S. citizens in approximately 180 American diplomatic residences worldwide.
• Boise State University’s Center for Health Policy (CHP) and Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI) have teamed up to assess the challenges of recruiting and retaining family medicine physicians in rural areas of Idaho. This research will build on findings of an earlier CHP/FMRI study to address the following question: What characteristics are predictive of success or failure with regard to a rural Idaho community’s recruitment and retention of qualified family medicine physicians?
• Four Talkin’ Broncos were recognized as the top competitors in a field of more than 400 entries at the 77th annual Mahaffey Memorial Speech and Debate Tournament held at Linfield College in McMinville, Ore. Chad Judy (senior, Idaho Falls), Emil Huseynov (junior, Azerbaijan) and  Regan Charlton (sophomore, Inkom), all placed within the top five for overall wins by an individual competitor. Sean Watson (senior, Kimberly) was recognized as one of the top debaters at the tournament. The Talkin’ Broncos earned an impressive 27 awards in individual events and won second place in sweepstakes.
• Kevin Kiely, a Fulbright Scholar at Boise State University, will celebrate the launch of the United States edition of his book of poetry, “Breakfast with Sylvia,” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Hemingway Center on campus. Kiely, a native of Northern Ireland, is a Fulbright Scholar in Residence at Boise State for the 2007-2008 academic year. His critically acclaimed works include two books of poetry — including “Breakfast with Sylvia,” which was originally published in Ireland in 2005 — four novels, two plays and one biography. The event is free to the public. For more information about the book launch, call 426-1246.
• The whole family can enjoy the sounds of the holiday season during the Boise State University Music Department’s annual Family Holiday Concert scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the Morrison Center Main Hall. This year’s concert will feature performances by the Faculty Brass Ensemble, the Flute Choir, the University Choral Groups, the Trombone Choir, Vocal Jazz and the University Orchestra. Highlights of the program include Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and Prokofiev’s “Troika,” as well as a performance of Poulenc’s “Gloria,” one of the composer’s most celebrated works. Tickets are $8 general, $6 seniors and $1 for students through Select-a-Seat, (208) 426-1494 or www.idahotickets.com.
• Boise State honored former provost Daryl Jones recently by naming a lecture hall for him in the newly opened Interactive Learning Center. Many of Jones’ colleagues gathered for the naming ceremony in Room 118, now the Daryl E. Jones Lecture Hall. Jones joined Boise State in 1986 as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He was appointed interim executive vice president in 1991 and ultimately served as provost and vice president for academic affairs from 1994-2004.