Located at 1173 W. University Dr., the Alumni and Friends Center stands as a welcoming gateway to campus and a proud symbol of Bronco spirit. It serves as a hub for alumni engagement and community pride and is also home to the Boise State University Alumni Association.
This space — made possible through the vision and generosity of Allen ’74 and Dixie Dykman — continues to bring together alumni, students and friends to celebrate the connections that make Boise State extraordinary.
Building Design and History
Completed in 2016, the 44,000-square-foot building was designed by LCA Architects and built by Jordan Wilcomb Construction.
Ground broke on Sept. 20, 2014, and the university celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting during Homecoming on Oct. 15, 2016.
The project cost $14.5 million, funded primarily by private donors with additional university financing from U.S. Bank and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.
A Showcase of Creativity and Sustainability
Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of the building’s design. The center is powered by Boise’s geothermal system, and its iconic clock tower shines bright with customizable LED lights, often glowing blue and orange in celebration of Bronco pride.
Inside, the Alumni and Friends Center showcases the creative talent of the Bronco community, featuring artwork by alumni, faculty and friends, including Alma Gomez-Frith ’91, Ward Hooper ’87, Howard Huff, Sam Katz, John Killmaster, Louis Peck, Ben Victor and Michael Woods ’72.
Interiors
The interior design came to life through collaboration with the following:
- Barrie Connolly and Associates
- Crowell & Company
- Henriksen Butler
- Intermountain Design, Inc.
- OEC
- Sprague Solutions
Exteriors
Special thanks to the following for their work on the building’s exterior elements:
- Landscape Architects: The Land Group
- Engraved Bricks: Fund Raisers Sports
- Bronze Sculptures: The Estate of Rod Kagan
- Bronze University Seal: Ben Victor, Francis Fox, Madeline Fluharty and Diana Luoma (alum and donor)
Making the University Seal
A three-foot replica of the university seal is permanently displayed in the courtyard of the Alumni and Friends Center. This iconic mark was made possible through a generous gift from business owner Dianna Luoma, an alum and former member of the Boise State Alumni Association board.
Watch the video below to see how Boise State faculty, students and sculptor Benjamin Victor collaborated to bring the seal to life.
Preparing for a New Beginning
Before construction began on the new Alumni and Friends Center, the Boise Fire Department partnered with the Boise State Alumni Association to conduct a live training burn of the former alumni building on Aug. 18, 2014. The controlled burn provided valuable firefighter training and made way for the new facility.
Watch the time-lapse video below to see how it all began.
