[Vision2020] The Friday Letter from UI President White (April 28, 2006)

[Tom Hansen]

Today's (April 28, 2006) Friday Letter from UI President White - 

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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 April 28, 2006

Dear Friends,

The State Board of Education made several decisions at its meeting last week
in Moscow that affect the University of Idaho. The board approved our plan
to re-instate the College of Art and Architecture in the upcoming
2006 fall semester. The Transition Team and Interim Dean Bill Woolston,
strategically prepared a financial and academic plan to create a college
with top-tier programs that ensure the needs of students will be met. 
The State Board also set student fee increases for the 2006-07 academic
year, and I presented a report to the board on the University's significant
progress in implementing our Plan for Renewal, which includes the
development of a five-year Strategic Plan and our $5.5 million re-investment
in new, strategic academic initiatives.

I am pleased to announce that Katherine Aiken has agreed to serve as the
dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences on a term
appointment. Kathy currently is associate dean of the college and a
professor in the Department of History. She begins her new duties July 2. 
A national search for a permanent dean will take place this summer. She will
succeed Dean Joe Zeller, who has asked to return to a professorial position
in the College of Art and Architecture's Department of Art and Design.

"Global Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality" is the theme of this year's
Engineering Design EXPO taking place in the Student Union Building today.
It's the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and is
generously supported by the region's engineering and science industry. The
event is a premier showcase of student achievements and research in
engineering, computer science, environmental science and related technical
disciplines The projects and team inventions are truly impressive, and the
University is very proud of our student's ingenuity and enterprise. The Expo
runs until 3 p.m., and the awards reception follows at 3:30.

Tim White
President

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

Four University of Idaho scholars have been awarded Fulbright Scholarship
Awards to study abroad. Richard Eppink, Dana Elliott of Orofino, Adair Muth
of Missoula, Mont., and Jessica Rowe of Paul, were selected as Fulbright
grantees on the basis of academic or professional achievement and
demonstrated leadership potential in their fields of study. Elliott, a 2004
graduate of the university's resource recreation and tourism program in the
College of Natural Resources, received a Fulbright grant to teach English
and American culture in Germany. Muth, a senior studying ecology and
conservation biology, will collaborate with the Ecuadorian government and
local agencies to assist in the eradication of an invasive species of
mosquito that transmits Dengue and yellow fever. Eppink is a third year law
student and will conduct rigorous research on public legal education in
Canada in order to institute a similar program in the U.S. Rowe, a graduate
student, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Romania
where she will be teaching university-level English and culture courses. She
also will work as an educational adviser.

Sophomore Danielle Sanders of Mountain Home has been named to the National
Dean's List. She currently holds a GPA of 3.8. While working toward her
bachelor's degree in health education, Sanders lives in the Moscow Fire
Station and volunteers for the Ambulance Company of Moscow. 
Professors, coaches, administrators and leaders of civic and community
service organizations affiliated with post-secondary institutions nominate
outstanding students to the National Dean's List. 

There was a tie for this year's University of Idaho Mom of the Year Award. 
Linda Williams, of Moscow, and Sheri Speare, of Coeur d'Alene, were
nominated by their daughters and will share the title. The selection is made
each year, by a committee of students, staff, alumni and mothers. 
The winners were announced by the University's First Lady, Karen White, at
the Moms' Weekend brunch.

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

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
UI '96

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails." 
- Unknown