A new employee giving campaign for 2009-10 will kick off in August. The
Boise State University Foundation would like to take this time to thank
all faculty and staff who have chosen to make a gift to the university.
University employees have sent a powerful message of support for the
ongoing Destination Distinction campaign through charitable giving.DESTINATION DISTINCTION CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Gifts to Boise State Up Despite National Drop in Giving
Despite the economic downturn, Boise State’s Destination Distinction campaign received gifts in fiscal year 2009 totaling $17.7 million, an 18.5 percent increase in the total toward the $175 million campaign goal. That’s especially significant given a report by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University that showed a national decline in charitable contributions totaling 2 percent, or 5.7 percent when adjusted for inflation; in a non-recession year, giving typically rises 4 percent.
“We are deeply appreciative of the many friends and alumni who continue to support Boise State’s people, places and programs,” said Howard Smith, vice president for university advancement. “Scholarship support in particular was a high priority for many friends who wanted to ensure that great students could still attend or continue their studies at Boise State.”
One element in Boise State's success was employee giving. During this past academic year, 27 percent of Boise State employees made a gift to the university, compared with just 11 percent the year before.
“This level of support for the university is a tremendous vote of confidence for President Kustra’s ambitious agenda,” said Smith.
Gift
Report
July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2009
Campaign Total: $113,447,774.63
Percentage of $175 million goal: 64.83 percent
Fund for the Future (revocable gifts): $10,287,732.48
Percentage of $10 million goal: 102.88 percent
Categories
Student Support: $16,707,752
Facilities Support: $51,402,664
Direct Academic Support: $38,919,074
Teaching Support: $6,418,284
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Boise State Earns Three Boise Mayor’s Awards
Two Boise State faculty members and one organization were among 11 winners of the 2009 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Art & History, announced by Boise Mayor David Bieter earlier this week. Presented every two years, the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Art & History celebrate people, organizations and businesses that have contributed to Boise’s cultural scene.
Boise State honorees are:
Excellence
in History, person — Todd Shallat (right), history professor and director
of the Center for Idaho History and Politics
Excellence in History Education, person — Robert Sims (left), emeritus history
professor and former dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public
Affairs
Excellence in Arts, organization — The Student Union
“The Student Union is committed to the ongoing production of visual and performing arts throughout the entire year,” said Holly Gilchrist, fine arts manager for the SUB. “We’re thrilled to be recognized for the variety and depth of programs we have provided the community over many decades.”
Award recipients will be honored at an event at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the Powerhouse Events Center, 621 S. 17th in Boise. The presentation of awards will be followed by live music by Jeremiah James and dancing until 11 p.m. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.
Award recipients must have demonstrated distinguished service, creative accomplishment, a record of publication and presentation or research that enhances the artistic, historic and broader cultural life of Boise. The awards began in 1986 to honor the arts and more than 70 people and organizations have been recognized since its inception. This marks the first year the field of history has been included in the awards.
Ingrid Brudenell Honored by Head Start
Ingrid Brudenell, a professor in the Department of Nursing, and Omair Shamim, Health and Nutrition Services Manager for Friends of Families and Children, Head Start.
Ingrid Brudenell, a professor in the Department of Nursing, was honored with the “Compassionate Partner of the Year” award from Head Start in June. The award recognizes the service of a volunteer or volunteer group working on behalf of children and families. Brudenell worked with a group of 10 students to prepare and distribute emergency response guides for centers and develop an emergency response plan for Head Start. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program for children and families with low income.
The students who worked with Brudenell on the project include Joanna Beard, Courtney Brokaw, Charis Douglas, Kenneth Edwards, Christine Foy, Malissa Gorozpe, Adreanna Scrivner, Heather Taylor, Carmen Vance and Heidi Messengale.
Brudenell has been working with Head Start for five years on various projects. She regularly teaches a course that provides opportunities for students to develop leadership and management skills by participating with organizations and agencies in the community.
Center for Advanced Energy Studies
David Solan Named New Director of Energy Policy Institute
David Solan, an assistant professor in the Department of Public Policy and Administration,
has been named the new director of the Energy Policy Institute and an associate
director of the Center for Advanced Energy Studies, Vice President for Research
Mark Rudin announced today.
Solan assumes his new position on Monday. He will be responsible for directing and managing all EPI programs, including applied research and education. He also will work with the Idaho National Laboratory and with Idaho universities affiliated with CAES to advance the programs of EPI.
“Energy policy is an increasingly important issue in Idaho, and Dr. Solan brings outstanding qualifications and experience to his new position,” said Rudin. “As Boise State continues to advance its research agenda in the area of energy policy, EPI and Dr. Solan will play a pivotal role in our continuing progress.”
Rudin expressed his appreciation to Boise State political science professor John Freemuth, who has served as interim director of EPI since its founding in January 2006. During Freemuth’s tenure, the first Energy Policy Institute Summit was held in March at Boise State. Freemuth also was a principal investigator for a recent study that looked at public discourse methods in energy policy decision making. In addition, EPI has conducted a number of public opinion surveys in conjunction with the Social Science Research Center that focused on such critical issues as electricity rates, sites for power plants and alternative fuels.
“Dr. Freemuth has done a terrific job as interim director of EPI, and we are grateful for his leadership,” Rudin said.
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
Boise State Partners on Idaho Viticulture Research Center
Leaders in Idaho’s maturing wine industry are partnering with Boise State and other entities to establish a $1.1 million research center designed to benefit rural Idaho and its Snake River Valley vineyards and wineries. Other partners include the City of Eagle, City of Star and College of Western Idaho, with partial funding from the Idaho Department of Commerce.
The Idaho Viticulture Research Center is working with an interdisciplinary research team involving faculty from the departments of electrical and computer engineering, biology and economics to develop wireless sensor technology. This technology will collect, display and analyze biological and meteorological data to improve grape production efficiency and profitability.
This collaboration comes on top of two previous viticulture projects. Researchers in Geosciences recently completed an innovative project to help create Idaho’s first wine appellation — the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area. In addition, the College of Business and Economics completed an economic impact analysis in 2008 that showed that wine producers in Idaho contribute $73 million in economic value to the state.
The non-profit Idaho Viticulture Research Center will include a teaching winery, co-op winery, tasting room, classroom space, grape-crushing pad, warehouse and distribution center at a site in Eagle, and a greenhouse and nursery in nearby Star. Classes will be offered through the College of Western Idaho.
OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
VPN System to be Updated Aug. 12
The Office of Information Technology will update the Boise State VPN system on Aug. 12. Existing VPN users will need to update their VPN software configuration prior to Aug. 12 in order to continue accessing the system.
OIT has e-mailed existing users with instructions. Members of the campus community who have not received these instructions and wish to continue using the VPN system after Aug. 12 should contact the OIT Help Desk at ext. 6-4357, or send e-mail to helpdesk@boisestate.edu.
AHSAHTA PRESS
Boise State Poetry Press Offers Subscription Sale
Boise State’s Ahsahta Press is kicking off its 35th anniversary with a subscription sale — $75 for seven beautiful books of poetry worth $127 and a gift of Dan Beachy-Quick’s chapbook “Apology for the Book of Creatures” if ordered before Sept. 1.
Ahsahta Press seeks out and publishes the best new poetry that is technically accomplished, distinctive in style and thematically fresh. To take advantage of the sale, visit the Ahsahta Press Web site.
HEALTH, WELLNESS AND COUNSELING
Nicotine Replacement Therapy Available
The Boise State University campus goes smoke free on Aug. 17.
Thinking about quitting? Free nicotine replacement therapy is available at 1-800-QUITLINE (1-800-784-8546) or log onto Quit Net,
Cessation classes and tobacco information are available online.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Register for Defensive Driving Course
Risk Management and Insurance will offer a four-hour Defensive Driving Course sponsored and taught by the National Traffic Safety Institute (NTSI).
When: 8 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Aug. 6
Where: Simplot Micron (Academic Technologies) Room 210
Cost: Free
To register: Register online at
or e-mail AngieZirschky@boisestate.edu
The Defensive Driving Course is once again being offered to employees and students who drive university owned or leased vehicles. The instructors, Curt Crum and Larry McGhee, are National Traffic Safety Institute (NTSI) trained and certified and currently teach the course for the Idaho State Police.
The content of the class will focus on defensive driving of passenger vehicles, driver behavior, van safety and life safety. Included in the course is a one-hour segment that will certify participants age 20 and up to drive university 12-person vans.
This course is pursuant to university policy 6825-C. In addition, the university receives a $20 liability insurance premium credit from the state insurance administrator after course completion for all employees who drive university vehicles on a regular basis.
Remember to bring your driver’s license and a pen or pencil to the class.
Questions concerning the course should be directed to Breck Skinner, Boise State Risk Management and Insurance, ext. 6-5955 or breckskinner@boisestate.edu.
Campus Crime Log
Weekly Crime Log
Boise City Police and Campus Security present the weekly crime report.
