Frank Church Institute
About the Institute
No individual has touched the nation, Idaho or Boise State University quite in the same manner as Frank Church. Church served his native state for 24 years in the U.S. Senate, creating a legacy of unequaled public service. The Frank Church Institute was established in 1982 to honor the achievements and to carry forward the principles of one of Idaho’s most distinguished native sons, Senator Frank Church.
The Institute emphasizes to its students those ideas which the Senator held dear—a strong belief in the rule of law, eloquence firmly based on reason, and an unwavering faith in the American political system.
The Institute’s mission is to “promote civic engagement and understanding of public policy with focus on foreign relations.” The Institute is non-partisan, but it seeks to “provide a forum for open and informed discussion characterized by civility, tolerance, and compromise.” The Institute seeks to fulfill its mission through the sponsorship of the annual Frank Church Conference, the Frank and Bethine Church Chair of Public Affairs, and the Frank Church Scholarships at Boise State University.
Model United Nations
Model UN is for those interested in learning more about how the UN operates. Students worldwide take part every year at all educational levels. Many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts – including at the UN itself – participated in Model UN as student. Boise State MUN members attend a conference in New York, where they use their knowledge and skills gained in a Model UN class at Boise State. Delegates will be prepared to resolve several current international issues pending in UN committees.
Frank Church Scholarships and Internships
Frank Church Scholarships and Internships are awarded to Boise State students with a demonstrated potential for public service. Awards may be for scholarships on campus, in Washington, D.C. or abroad.
On Our Work- The Frank Church Conference
The Frank Church Institute sponsors annual conferences on important issues of the day. Conference subjects have included:
- 2020: How Do Democracies Survive and Thrive in the 21st Century?
- 2019: Democracy in an Age of Anxiety
- 2018: Global Struggle for Democracy