1932 | | Opening Day | Enrollment: 70 Students
Faculty: 8 full time, 6 part time
Tuition: $60 per semester See: An Idea Grows |
1934 | | First Commencement | BJC holds first commencement ceremony for 27 graduates, and the first alumni. This group had a crucial role in starting the alumni association. See: Historical commencement programs |
3/15/1967 | | Alumni Huddle | 12-member committee formed to organize an alumni association. Members: Frank Ilett Jr ’60 (Chair), Donald M. Day ’43, Dr. Harry K. Fritchman ’46, Jim Cockrell ’67, Dorothy T. Coffin, Alba Marie White ’42, Sharon Walker ’53 and ’71, Dr. Wayne Davis ’60, Betty L. Tate ’49, Beatrice Dickinson ’59 and ’86, George A. Meffan, Charles L. Wolfkiel ’60 and Braynt W. Lemon ’55. Pictured: Mrs. Joseph White ’42, Dr. Wayne Davis ’60, Mrs. Gordon Walker ’53 and ’71. |
5/11/1967 | | Alumni Association Created | Inaugural meeting invitation to all 2- and 4-year alumni. Officers elected were Cliff Vaughn, treasurer; Tom Rhodes ’55, president; Mrs. Joe White ’42, secretary; and Jim Cockrell ’67, member of the board of directors; Dick Ennis ’44, vice president. |
5/14/1967 | | First 4-year Graduates | The first baccalaureate degree graduates obtained degrees in art, biology, business administration, industrial business, education, english, history, and social science.
See: Historical commencement programs |
1967 | 1977 | Dr. John B. Barnes | Dr. John Barnes named third President, and oversaw the transition to Boise State University.
See Chapter 9: Searching for Excellence |
1968 | | First President, Tom Rhodes | President Tom Rhodes' first presidential communication emphasized early successes in membership and homecoming participation, giving a token of appreciation to Coach Lyle Smith, and supporting the college on constructing new buildings with student fees. Goals set included a greater emphasis on membership and providing frequent news to alumni. |
1968 | 1970 | Plans for Chapters | Initially, chapter creation focused on eleven areas within Idaho. Today, more than twelve chapters span the nation focusing on a specific region, college or special interest. Learn more about alumni chapters. |
1969 | | Alumni News | This newsletter introduced the newly-founded alumni association and new office in the Administration Building. Featured was staff member Vivian Klein, the “BSC Alumni Association Girl Friday,” and her various interests such as tennis, synchronized swimming, music and volunteering. |
1969 | 1974 | Boise State College | Governor Don Samuelson signing a bill that changes Boise College to Boise State College, which moved the school into the state system of higher education.
See Chapter 9: Searching for Excellence
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1969 | | Apparel | Though school colors blue and orange originated in BJC's first year, apparel and memorabilia came in multiple colors such as blue, orange, red, green and yellow! Show your pride by sporting the current alumni apparel — available now at the Bronco Shop.
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1971 | | First Funded Scholarship | Named after second president Dr. Eugene B. Chaffee, the $350 full tuition scholarship was open to any student. Today, the scholarship currently has nearly $165,248 in funds. Give Today to support student scholarships. |
1971 | | A Vacation to Remember | Exclusive to BSC Alumni Association members and their families and friends was this eight-day vacation package to Hawaii. The trip included three nights in Honolulu, two nights in Maui and two nights in Kona. The Alumni Association continues to make unforgettable journeys possible for Boise State Alumni Association members (and their friends and family) with our expanded Alumni Travel Program. |
1971 | | Where Are Alumni Living? | In a report compiled by the alumni office, 75% of alumni lived in Idaho with 52% living in the city of Boise. The total living in western states (other than Idaho) comprises 20% leaving only 4% in the eastern states. A very small percentage of 1% resided outside the continental United States. |
1971 | 1972 | Membership Card | At the time, membership entitled alumni to receive all alumni news publications, the services of the Placement Office, the College Union facilities and the Library. Today, members receive business and career support, discounts on campus events and memberships, library benefits, wine tours, travel discounts, and numerous other benefits. Current Member Benefits Become a member |
1972 | | First Master's Degrees | The first masters degrees were in Business Administration, Elementary Education, and Elementary Core Enriched Education.
Historical commencement programs
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1974 | | Boise State University | Governor Cecil D. Andrus signing a bill that changes Boise State College to Boise State University. Pictured: Doug Shanholtz, Governor Cecil Andrus, Dr. John Barnes, Kitty Gurnsey, Vernon Ravenscroft, Chuck Billyeau.
Chapter 10: Searching for Excellence
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1974 | | First Director, Dyke Nally '69 | James “Dyke” Nally, former director of student activities and the student union building announced as director of alumni affairs. A native of Caldwell, ID, Nally came to Boise Junior College on a football scholarship and played under Lyle Smith and was the 1968-69 student body president. |
1974 | | Buster Bronco | A six foot tall “Buster Bronco” joined the beautiful palomino Gold-Dust and the steel sculpture “Spirit of the Broncos” as a mascot. Buster was initiated into the Boise State family at the alumni-varsity football game. |
1978 | | Alumni Academic Awards | Presented by the Alumni Association and Honors College, the Alumni Academic Awards (later renamed Top Ten Scholar Awards) is the highest academic honor granted to an undergraduate student. Learn more about and meet this year’s Top Ten Scholars |
1982 | | 50th Anniversary | Three presidents representing six decades of leadership meet with Idaho Governor John V. Evans at the Founders' Dinner during Boise State University's 50th anniversary celebrations. Pictured are President Eugene B. Chaffee, President John H. Keiser, Governor Evans, and President John B. Barnes. |
1982 | | Top Ten Scholars Awards | The Alumni Academic Awards renamed Top Ten Scholars Awards. Learn more about and meet the Top Ten Scholars |
1983 | | First Auction | The Boise State Auction Gala began in 1983, raising approximately $50,000 for student scholarships in one evening. Since then, the auction has raised more than $5,000,000 to support student scholarships. This black-tie gala is a biennial event known for its unique auction packages and fun atmosphere. Remember, our focus is their future! Help continue the legacy at the Boise State Auction Gala |
1986 | | Bronco Stadium Turns Blue! | Boise State University bucked the national trend by installing blue astroturf in 1986. |
1988 | | First Distinguished Alumni Awards | The Alumni Association established the awards in 1988 to recognize extraordinary alumni. Every year, the Association bestows awards to alumni who exemplify the loyalty, passion and innovation through significant contributions to their community, state and nation through professional service, public service and civic activities. The first recipients were John A. Elorriaga ’49, Karl N. Knapp ’81 and James D. McClary ’57. Past recipients and nomination form |
1989 | | Enrollment Climbs to 12,586 to the Largest in the State | Enrollment history Facts and figures |
1990 | | Celebrating Our Members | Members play a critial role in helping the association connect Boise State graduates, alumni and friends to each other and the university. Each year, we show our appreciation to these dedicated individuals with the Alumni Association Member Celebration. Become a member Current Member Benefits |
1995 | | Dyke Nally '69 Retires | Dyke Nally '69 served as director of the Student Union from 1968-1974, and executive director of the Alumni Association from 1974-1995. After nearly 30 years of service, he left to head up the Idaho State Liquor Dispensary. To celebrate his accomplishments, family and friends gathered for the Roast of Dyke Nally retirement party.
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1996 | | Bronco Bashes | In collaboration with the Bronco Athletic Association, Bronco Bashes are for fans of all ages and generations of alumni to gather on game day to cheer on the Broncos —home or away! Check upcoming events |
1997 | | First Doctoral Degrees Awarded | First doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction degrees awarded. The first graduates were Alecia R. Baker, Christopher E. Francovich, Brenton A. Kidder, Eileen A. Thornburgh, Patricia N. Toney.
Historical Commencement Programs
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1996 | | Wine Tasting Social | In 1996 alumni went to the vineyards for wine tastings. Today we bring that wine to you with the Alumni Association Wine Program. This program features limited-release, custom labeled wines which were hand selected by alumni in a blind tasting. Priority purchasing is available first to alumni association lifetime members and then annual members. In addition to priority purchasing, members receive an exclusive discount price, up to $3 per bottle. |
1996 | | Administration Celebrates Graduates in Style | President Charles Ruch along with the vice presidents and deans served up lunch for alumni in the Student Union Parking lot. This parking lot is now home to the remodeled Boise River Cafe and the Student Involvement and Leadership Center (second floor). |
2000 | | First Alumni Building | The Boise State Alumni Association purchased the building located at 1173 Grant Avenue for $665,000, at the time commonly known as the offices for Dr. Petersen or the University Eye Center. Nearly 7,000 square feet with 35 parking spaces and 15 offices, it eventually housed both the Alumni Association and the Career Center. |
2002 | | Student Alumni Association | The Student Alumni Association facilitated events and programs with the goal to enrich their connections as an alumnus or alumna. Founding members were: Katie Dane, Dawn DiFuria ’07 and ’08, Ryan Vanderlinden ’04, Jared Pierce ’04, Jason MacFarlane ’05, Vicki Baker ’04, Faida Muzaliwa ’03, Reagn McAffee, Kim Budvarson ’04, Stephanie Wheeler ’04, Judy Torres ’04, Derek Woodbury ’06, Matt Sebby ’09, Ben Davidson, Mike Clifford ’07, Logan Freeman ’05, Russ O’Leary and Ryan O’Rourke. |
2002 | | Where Are Alumni Living? | In the early 2000s, graduates predominantly settled in the western half of the United States with heavy concentration in the Treasure Valley, Seattle, and Portland. At the time, Boise State had 36,055 graduates. Today Boise State has 77,929 living graduates residing around the world. |
2002 | | School Pride Day | Over 600 students and faculty attended School Pride Day, and the entire campus was encouraged to wear blue and orange for a free vanilla coke. SAA collaborated with the spirit squad and Kappa Sigma fraternity who held their fight song marathon, where they sang the fight song every half hour, on the hour, for 24 hours. Other activities included a “Dunk a Vandal” dunk tank, “Guess the score of the game” raffle to win an autographed football, free face painting, fun photo booth and football highlights from previous games. |
2003 | | Alumni Legacy Scholarship | The Alumni Legacy Scholarship was established to celebrate family traditions of attending Boise State University. The fund has generated more than $1.9 million in funds since its inception, supported by Alumni Association membership dues and the Boise State Auction.
Learn more about the Alumni Legacy Scholarship
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2003 | | Blue and Orange Pancakes? | The first annual Shortstack Shindig served these specialty pancakes to more than 150 students, faculty and staff. SAA members also facilitated “Bronco 101,” where they asked students to put together the whole fight song, match the pictures and names of university administration, and answer Boise State trivia. To round out the experience was volleyball on the quad, a band, and giveaways to those wearing blue and orange. |
2003 | | Bronco Spirit Becomes Mobile | In 2003, the Student Alumni Association purchased an ordinary golf cart, painted it blue and orange, tricked out the sound system, and created their very own Spirit Cart! The cart was used to draw bigger crowds to events, promote the organization, and for a short time threw prizes to the football crowd in Albertsons Stadium after every touchdown. |
2004 | | First Honorary Doctorate | Alumnus and filmmaker Michael Hoffman received the first honorary doctorate. Historical commencement programs |
2005 | 2/5/2005 | SAA Hosts 161 for District Conference | The Student Alumni Association hosted Almost Famous, the Association of Student Advancement Programs District VII and VIII Joint Conference at the Boise Centre on the Grove. 161 delegates from Idaho, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington learned and socialized with other students and advisors who had the same goal of building pride and tradition on campus. |
2007 | | Diamond Jubilee, 75th Anniversary | "Boise State's 1st Buildings":
Spring 2007 FOCUS
"The Faces of Boise State":
Summer 2007 FOCUS
Diamond Jubilee celebrations:
Fall 2007 FOCUS |
2009 | | First International Chapter | Ha Nguyen ’97 and Nguyen Trong Khang ’99, and Dau Thuy Ha ’99 worked with the Alumni Association to officially charter an Alumni Chapter in Vietnam to welcome alumni, friends, and fans. The majority of alumni in Vietnam graduated from the MBA program, the first ever AACSB-accredited MBA program conducted in Vietnam since 1990. Learn more about the Vitenam Alumni Chapter Learn more about the MBA programs |
2010 | | SAA Becomes Future Alumni Network | The Future Alumni Network, or more commonly Bronco FAN Club, was initiated to provide a better understanding of the organization and to better align with the greater Boise State branding efforts. Along with the rebrand, came a FAN Club VIP status where students, for a small fee, could become a VIP and receive exclusive swag items and opportunities. |
2012 | | A Vision and 'Tour' of the Future | Boise State alumni and friends gathered at the home of lead donors Allen and Dixie Dykman for a “tour” of the future Alumni and Friends Center. This event kicked off an exciting era in the Alumni Association as we worked towards building our new campus home.
Learn more about the Alumni and Friends Center .
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2014 | | Alumni Center Burns | The Boise Fire Department worked with the Alumni Association to stage a Live Training Burn to prepare for the construction of the new Alumni and Friends Center. Watch the Controlled Burn timelapse Watch the Live Fire Training Exercise in its entirety |
2015 | | Carnegie Classification | Community partnerships have earned the university a 2015 Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Carnegie has announced that Boise State is among 361 U.S. colleges and universities that have attained this important designation, and was one of only 76 universities in the country to be classified as a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged Institution when the designation was first established in 2006. Read more in the Update |
2015 | | President Barack Obama | President Obama was the first sitting president to visit campus, and came the day after his 2015 State of the Union address to talk about his proposal for Middle-Class Economics. |
2016 | | New Alumni and Friends Center Opens | The Center was more than ten years in the making. Thanks to a dedicated group of donors, alumni leaders, volunteers and university staff — led by alumnus Allen Dykman ’74 and his wife Dixie, Boise State alumni and friends have a home on campus for Broncos of all generations. The building features the university seal, sculptures and paintings by current and emeritus Boise State faculty, as well as a historical video, photos, and memorabilia. See the ribbon cutting and take a tour |
2017 | | Impact Scholarship | The Impact Scholars Program addresses the underrepresentation and underachievement of students with foster care experience in higher education. The Intercollegiate Knights Alumni Chapter is excited to create a new legacy of first generation students by supporting this program. Give to the Impact Scholars Learn about the the Impact Scholars Programs Watch Impact Scholars: Rewriting Statistics |
2017 | | Bronco FAN Club + Student Foundation = Student Impact Board | The new student advancement organization, the Boise State Impact Board, focuses on four objectives: leadership development, philanthropic activities (fundraising events, volunteering, and educating other Boise State students on the importance of philanthropy), celebrating Boise State University history and tradition, and fostering school pride. IMPACT stands for: Involvement, Motivation, Philanthropy, Advancement, Community and Tradition. |