[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter from UI President White

[Tom Hansen]

>From today's (February 11, 2005) UI Friday Letter.

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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 February 11, 2005

Dear Friends,

In addition to helping students, businesses and industry economically, the
University of Idaho also creates more than $600 million of its own statewide
economic impacts. According to "The Economic Impacts of Idaho's Higher
Education," a study conducted by UI faculty economists, the University
created $633.4 million in statewide economic impact in 2004 and is credited
for providing 13,024 jobs in the state. In other words, we generate a $4.20
return for every $1 of taxpayer support. In Latah County alone, we generate
approximately 50 percent of all economic activity. Statewide, the University
has more than 11,450 acres of land, including centers in Coeur d'Alene,
Boise, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls and agricultural extension offices in 42
of 44 Idaho counties. Total funded research from all sources at UI reached
$105.7 million in 2004. Overall, public higher education in Idaho creates
$1.5 billion in economic impact in terms of total sales, according to the
study.

I trust that it concerns you, as it does me, to hear people talk only about
the cost of higher education. With the kind of rate of return revealed in
this study, increased funding for Idaho higher education is an educated
investment that pays back well for all Idahoans. The executive summary of
"The Economic Impacts of Idaho's Higher Education" 
is available at www.uidaho.edu/educatedinvestment.

Tim White
President

Here's the latest news from the University of Idaho:

~ Music isn't the only thing showcased at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. 
Since its inception in 1992, the University's International Jazz Collections
has played a growing role in educating and entertaining jazz festival
participants about the history of jazz through a series of lectures, films,
exhibits and displays. For the 2005 festival Feb. 23 - 26, IJC is offering a
series that highlights the contributions of women to jazz. 

~ UI has been recognized for the first time in the prestigious Top 25 in
producing Peace Corps volunteers in 2004. Ranked 23rd among medium-sized
institutions (with 5,000 -15,000 undergraduates), the UI had more alumni
volunteers than other universities like Harvard and Duke. Currently, 25 UI
alumni serve in developing countries of the world. Lena Septimo, who
recruits for the Peace Corps at the University, says 435 UI alumni have
served as volunteers since the program began in 1961. Robert Neunschwander,
who directs UI's Study Abroad program says he isn't surprised UI jumpstarts
so many Peace Corps volunteers. 

~ We are grateful that Rex,'61 and Marilyn Dorman of Boise have contributed
$50,000 in cash and stock to the University to benefit the J. A. Albertson
Building Campaign and to establish the Rex & Marilyn Dorman Accounting
Scholarship Endowment. Rex retired from Boise Cascade in 1994 and was the
senior vice president and CFO of the company at the time of his retirement. 
He is a member of the College of Business and Economics Advisory Board and
served as chairman from 1979 to 1985. Marilyn is an Alpha Phi, who attended
UI and took classes in the music department. She has been active as a mental
health advocate for many years and has served as a board member of the
National Mental Health Association. She is a past president of the Idaho
Mental Health Association. Rex and Marilyn both have been active in the
community and have served on the Board of Directors of the Children's Home
Society, among other organizations. Their gift brings the College of
Business and Economics closer to completing the building campaign and
creates more opportunity for accounting students.  

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Take care,

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that they
are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say
about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."

-- Robert F. Kennedy