Boise State University’s Distinguished Alumni Awards represent the highest honor the university can bestow on an alum. These awards recognize individuals who exemplify the university’s values of caring, citizenship, respect and responsibility through their personal, professional and community contributions.
Recipients are celebrated annually at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala during Homecoming. The 2025 gala takes place on Thursday, Oct. 9.
Excellence and Service
Distinguished Alumni Award honorees stand out by demonstrating what it means to be extraordinary in the everyday.
They dedicate their time, talent and resources to their families, workplaces, hometowns and communities. In doing so, they model what it means to be a distinguished Boise State alumni.
View Past Award RecipientsAbout Each Award
Distinguished Alumni Award
This award honors alumni whose outstanding professional and personal achievements have made a profound impact at the regional, national or international level. These individuals elevate Boise State’s reputation and promote its mission, values and community through their ongoing leadership and contributions.
Distinguished Alumni Award
These 2024 award recipients’ achievements have elevated Boise State’s reputation and advanced its mission regionally, nationally and internationally.
-
Esther Oppenheimer ’76, ’84, ’89
Licensed professional counselor, early childhood art therapist and artist
College of Arts and Sciences + College of Education -
Heidi Peterson ’98
Senior manager for philanthropic engagement, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
School of Public Service -
Elizabeth Schneider ’87
Contract grant writer, Idaho STEM Ecosystem
College of Engineering -
Andrea Tuning ’99, ’02
Senior urban and regional long-range planner, City of Boise
College of Health Sciences + School of Public Service
Distinguished Service Award
These 2024 award recipients have generously given their time, talent and resources in service to Boise State and the Alumni Association.
-
Anthony Guho ’09
Vice president and construction manager, Guho Corp.
College of Engineering -
Dave Shuldes ’99
Retired director, Boise Respiratory Therapy
College of Health Sciences
Honorary Alumni Award
This 2024 award recipient exemplifies the Bronco spirit and values through extraordinary service.
-
Rick Isaacson
Chairman, Isaacson Family Office and the Isaacson Foundation
College of Business and Economics
Watch the 2024 Awards Ceremony
Thank You to Our Sponsors
When you take advantage of your alumni perks by choosing Liberty Mutual Insurance and Mountain America Credit Union, you’re doing more than saving money. You’re helping fund legacy scholarships and events and programs that enrich the Boise State experience for students and alumni alike.
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual Insurance is a long-standing affinity partner of the Boise State Alumni Association and a proud sponsor of the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala.
Mountain America
Mountain America Credit Union is a proud title sponsor of the Boise State Alumni Association and offers an exclusive Boise State Alumni Association Visa® Rewards credit card.
Celebrate a Lasting Impact
Distinguished alumni nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis, with an annual deadline in the spring. The nomination deadline for 2025 awardees was April 15, 2025.
Nominees are evaluated based on one or more of the following criteria: Commitment to Boise State’s mission and values, exceptional, continued leadership, service to society, community involvement, innovative thinking, dedication to Boise State and a history of giving.