When the Class of 1970 graduated, Boise State had only recently become a four-year college. This is a remarkable moment to recognize your achievements and those of Boise State. This class helped shape the university’s growth — from its beginnings as a junior college in 1932, to Boise State College, to becoming Boise State University in 1974. The university has awarded bachelor’s and master’s degrees since 1965.
Today, Boise State offers more than 100 graduate programs and is classified as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity and ranked among the nation’s top 50 Colleges of Innovation.
Thank you, Class of 1970.
A special message to the Class of 1970
Video Transcript
[Dr. Marlene Tromp, President, Boise State University]
Class of 1970, congratulations on your incredible achievements. You’ve had so much success.
Jim Tibbs, former ASBSU vice president, went on to a full career with the Boise Police Department and became a city council member. Doctor Linda Clark had an illustrious career as an educator and then president of the State Board of Education.
Your alma mater has been busy, too. We became a four-year college just a couple of years before you graduated. We may be the only university in the country to have so swiftly risen from a community college to a doctoral research university. Today, we’re home to Idaho’s largest graduate school with more than a hundred graduate programs.
We are pursuing boundless innovation, and we’re committed to helping Idaho thrive. Dedicated to continued student success, we’ve had a record number of graduates for 10 straight years.
But some things don’t change. During the 1969 season under football coach Tony Knapp, the Broncos won nine of their 10 games with a point spread of 391 to 98. This last year, we had the same regular season record under Coach Bryan Harsin.
We have financial challenges, but our innovation will help us respond. We are resilient, adaptable, and creative. Congratulations on this milestone, and go Broncos.
Golden Broncos share thoughts on Boise State’s growth and impact
Nearly 100,000 graduates from Boise State have contributed to the social and economic progress of the state, region and world. Broncos everywhere are leaders in business, government, health care, science, technology, education and the arts. But for one class — Golden Broncos who graduated 50 years ago — today we honor your contributions and recognize the foundation for career success you received at Boise State.
When the Class of 1970 graduated, Boise State College had only recently become a four-year college.
According to Linda Clark, ’70, an elementary education graduate, the school was on a trajectory for rapid enrollment growth, while campus infrastructure was also expanding.
“The Student Union was new in 1967, and students were thrilled with its options for eating, bowling and an expansive bookstore,” she said. “The football stadium opened in 1970, a month after graduation, and Boise State moved to Division II football that year.”
Clark, who earned advanced degrees in education from other universities, recalls faculty members who prepared students for careers and lifelong learning.
“I completed my bachelor’s degree extremely well prepared to go on to graduate school and enter my education as a classroom teacher,” Clark said. “That foundation has served me well in my academics, my career and my life. I would hope for this same quality of preparation for every Boise State student in every field of study. We can aspire to nothing less.”
Notable faculty at the time included Pat Bieter, a renowned historian and teacher, who kept students engaged during the two semesters of required U.S. history courses.
“Frances P. Reid further built on my love of books as I completed her library classes as part of my certification,” Clark said. “John Jensen and John Kirtland were also key faculty members for me. Both were fairly new to Boise State College and brought real-world experience to students and their preparation for classroom realities. Jensen provided strong support during my student teaching experiences.”
Boise State has experienced significant growth in programs, research and enrollment over the past 50 years. From an enrollment of about 5,000 students in 1967 to 10,000 in 1975, to today’s student body of more than 24,000 students, the university has adapted to meet the needs of students, Idaho citizens and communities beyond the state. Today, Boise State has the largest graduate school enrollment in Idaho, offers more than 100 graduate programs, is classified as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity and is ranked among the nation’s top 50 Colleges of Innovation.
“This growth has been very important to individual students and to the growth of Idaho’s economy,” Clark said. “I believe local citizens have watched in awe as the university has grown and developed.”
Clark also noted significant growth in athletics and academic programs since 1970. The Boise State football program has earned national recognition, winning multiple bowl games and conference championships.
“As an avid Boise State fan and football season ticket holder since 1975, when the expanded east side of the stadium opened, I have watched and cheered on the green field and on the blue,” she said.
“The College of Education’s rankings as a regional leader have been of great interest to me as an alum and administrator. Its 2021 ranking by U.S. News & World Report among the top 40 public institutions is noteworthy.”
Under the leadership of Boise State’s seventh president, Dr. Marlene Tromp, the university continues to build on its culture of innovation — advancing research that impacts lives and creating structures that transcend disciplines so researchers and students can collaborate on complex challenges in spaces designed to promote innovation.
Share Your Favorite Memory
Please share with us your memories and thoughts about Boise State University’s growth over the past 50 years. Like Dr. Linda Clark, we want to know more about the experiences of other Class of 1970 graduates and how Boise State has impacted your lives.
Golden Broncos share thoughts on Boise State’s growth and impact
Nearly 100,000 graduates from Boise State have contributed to the social and economic progress of the state, region and world. Broncos everywhere are leaders in business, government, health care, science, technology, education and the arts. But for one class — Golden Broncos who graduated 50 years ago — today we honor your contributions and recognize the foundation for career success you received at Boise State.
When the Class of 1970 graduated, Boise State College had only recently become a four-year college.
According to Linda Clark, ’70, an elementary education graduate, the school was on a trajectory for rapid enrollment growth, while campus infrastructure was also expanding.
“The Student Union was new in 1967, and students were thrilled with its options for eating, bowling and an expansive bookstore,” she said. “The football stadium opened in 1970, a month after graduation, and Boise State moved to Division II football that year.”
Clark, who earned advanced degrees in education from other universities, recalls faculty members who prepared students for careers and lifelong learning.
“I completed my bachelor’s degree extremely well prepared to go on to graduate school and enter my education as a classroom teacher,” Clark said. “That foundation has served me well in my academics, my career and my life. I would hope for this same quality of preparation for every Boise State student in every field of study. We can aspire to nothing less.”
Notable faculty at the time included Pat Bieter, a renowned historian and teacher, who kept students engaged during the two semesters of required U.S. history courses.
“Frances P. Reid further built on my love of books as I completed her library classes as part of my certification,” Clark said. “John Jensen and John Kirtland were also key faculty members for me. Both were fairly new to Boise State College and brought real-world experience to students and their preparation for classroom realities. Jensen provided strong support during my student teaching experiences.”
Boise State has experienced significant growth in programs, research and enrollment over the past 50 years. From an enrollment of about 5,000 students in 1967 to 10,000 in 1975, to today’s student body of more than 24,000 students, the university has adapted to meet the needs of students, Idaho citizens and communities beyond the state. Today, Boise State has the largest graduate school enrollment in Idaho, offers more than 100 graduate programs, is classified as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity and is ranked among the nation’s top 50 Colleges of Innovation.
“This growth has been very important to individual students and to the growth of Idaho’s economy,” Clark said. “I believe local citizens have watched in awe as the university has grown and developed.”
Clark also noted significant growth in athletics and academic programs since 1970. The Boise State football program has earned national recognition, winning multiple bowl games and conference championships.
“As an avid Boise State fan and football season ticket holder since 1975, when the expanded east side of the stadium opened, I have watched and cheered on the green field and on the blue,” she said.
“The College of Education’s rankings as a regional leader have been of great interest to me as an alum and administrator. Its 2021 ranking by U.S. News & World Report among the top 40 public institutions is noteworthy.”
Under the leadership of Boise State’s seventh president, Dr. Marlene Tromp, the university continues to build on its culture of innovation — advancing research that impacts lives and creating structures that transcend disciplines so researchers and students can collaborate on complex challenges in spaces designed to promote innovation.
Share your favorite memory
Please share with us your memories and thoughts about Boise State University’s growth over the past 50 years. Like Dr. Linda Clark, we want to know more about the experiences of other Class of 1970 graduates and how Boise State has impacted your lives.