[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter from UI President White (December 16, 2005)

[Tom Hansen]

Copied and pasted below is today's (December 16, 2005) UI Friday Letter from
UI President White.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

University of Idaho
Office of the President
Moscow, Idaho 83844-3151
Phone: 208-885-6365
Fax: 208-885-6558

The Friday Letter
A Newsletter for University of Idaho Alumni and Friends Dec. 16, 2005

Dear Friends,

I'm delighted to announce the appointment of our new dean of the College of
Engineering. Aicha Elshabini comes to UI from the University of Arkansas,
where she is distinguished professor and head of the Department of
Electrical Engineering. Elshabini begins her full-time duties at UI in July
2006 and already is quite engaged.

One of the core needs for promoting economic development in Idaho is in
science and technology, applied to the emerging needs of society. We are
delighted that Dr. Elshabini will provide strong and aspirational leadership
in engineering to help direct this vital effort. As dean, Elshabini will
provide leadership to a college with seven departments, six research centers
and institutes, nearly 1,800 undergraduate and graduate students, and 101
faculty and staff members. The College of Engineering has strong programs
across the state including, Boise, Idaho Falls, Post Falls and Moscow. The
college generated more than $13 million in research funding in FY2005. 

Fall semester 2005 has come to a close with a rush of activity. Students,
weary from study sessions, took their final tests and made their final
presentations, then headed off in all directions for the winter recess. 
Faculty have the joy of grading all those finals before they, too, have a
chance to take their holiday break.

Karen joins with me in wishing you all the very best of the season. Our next
Friday Letter will be Jan. 6.

Tim White
President

Here's the latest news from the University of Idaho:
UI interior design students made final presentations of their designs for a
proposed Shoshone Bannock Veterans and Benevolence Center, and senior
Desiree Haas from Lewiston submitted the winning design for the proposed
$8-$10 million facility. Haas's design, "Tradition of Honor" took its
inspiration from the circle as a symbol of connection between the tribe's
future and its past, and the cycles of nature. The Shoshone Bannock
contracted with UI students for designs for a center that honors the tribes'

veterans; provides benevolence space for traditional gatherings and rituals;
and aims to foster a sense of community. The 7.5-acre site that will house
the center is located on reservation land in Fort Hall. 

UI alumnus Philip C. Habib '42 will be honored as part of the Distinguished
American Diplomats commemorative stamp series from the U.S. Postal Service. 
The stamps honor six individuals for their contributions to international
relations, not only as negotiators and administrators, but also as
trailblazers, shapers of policy, peacemakers and humanitarians. The stamps
become available May 30, 2006. Habib was renowned for his diplomacy in some
of the world's most dangerous flash points. An authority on Southeast Asia,
a peace negotiator in the Middle East, and a special envoy to Central
America, Habib was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1982. He
passed away in 1992.

In fiscal year 2005, 924 UI staff, faculty, and retirees contributed an
impressive $1,809,625 to the University of Idaho. Their support ranged from
scholarships, the Jazz Festival, the arboretum and Vandal Atheltics, to
their own their own academic department. Donors gave cash, stock, gifts in
kind, and appreciated property. More than 50 university faculty, staff, and
retirees belong to the President's Circle, a prestigious group of dedicated
donors who make annual contributions of $1,000 or more. This is a phenomenal
commitment by University of Idaho staff, faculty, and retirees. 
To learn more about how private gifts continue to change the lives of UI
students, visit  www.uidaho.edu/givetoidaho.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Take care, Moscow (you, too, Vandals).

Tom Hansen

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body thoroughly used
up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a ride!'"