[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter for December 8, 2006

[Tom Hansen]

Copied and pasted below is the UI Friday Letter for December 8, 2006 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 Dec. 8, 2006

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow is December Commencement, and we will recognize the accomplishments
of 910 graduates at a 1 p.m. ceremony in the Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center.
College of Law Dean Don Burnett will provide the commencement address. The
University will honor arts and humanities patron Carol Renfrew '35 and Boise
architect Charles Hummel with honorary doctor of humane letters degrees.
Both Carol and Charles have worked to improve lives and communities in Idaho
and beyond.

A number of our December graduates have already demonstrated a remarkable
passion and excitement for learning that they will carry with them into the
ranks of University of Idaho alumni. Let me share just a few stories with
you:

* Julia Williams from Moscow conducted undergraduate research that is
contributing to advances in microbiology; her research about novel mutants
was instrumental in a recent University publication on genetics. 

* Brian Huber from Gooding has received national recognition for his
innovation in food science. He chaired the student team that won top honors
and $10,000 in a national food product development by creating a popular
green tea-based health drink.

* Becky Clegg from Coeur d'Alene worked in the insurance industry for many
years before beginning a master's degree program, and her research has
focused on the impact of e-mail overload on customer service agents in the
insurance industry.  She now serves as a consultant and frequently travels
around the country working with agencies and parent organizations.  

* Gerald Orthel from Filer is a fieldman for Idaho Power, and he has been
working on his master's degree for "at least seven years." A non-traditional
student who received his bachelor's degree in the 1970s, Orthel wanted to
improve himself by taking on the challenge of a master's degree. He
completed his degree without being on campus, taking classes online, via
phone and by video, and providing research that contributes to the dairy
industry.
 
It is wonderful to share in the accomplishments and successes of our
students. We wish all our graduates the very best as they join the
University of Idaho alumni legacy of leaders, thinkers and global citizens.

Tim White
President

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

Professor of English Gary Williams is the University's first Distinguished
Humanities Professor, an appointment intended to recognize faculty
excellence in humanities teaching and scholarship. The new appointment is an
initiative of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. The role of
the professorship is to develop and coordinate a wide-ranging humanities
program; invigorate and inspire faculty who teach the humanities; and work
closely with other faculty and constituents statewide to strengthen teaching
and learning within the humanities discipline. Williams has taught at Idaho
since 1973, and has received numerous grants for his scholarly work on 19th
century American literature. He was English department chair from 1986 to
1996 and currently is its director of graduate studies. 

Drive Idaho students to success! You can purchase and display a
commemorative Idaho Vandal automobile license plate and support the general
scholarship fund of the University of Idaho. Of the purchase fee, $25 in the
first year and $15 for each renewal will go to support University of Idaho
student scholarships. Support of this program has generated more $120,000
toward scholarships for more than 120 students during the last five years.
Call (208) 334-8649 or visit your county Department of Motor Vehicles in
Idaho to purchase a plate. The Web site to print an application is
www.itd.idaho.gov/dmv/vehicleservices/vsspecin.pdf. 

Honorary alumnus Gerald "Jerry" Snow and his wife, Trini, of Caldwell,
became members of the Idaho Society this fall during the annual University
Gala in Moscow. The Idaho Society recognizes alumni and friends for lifetime
giving to the University that totals $100,000 or more. A longtime resident
of Moscow, Jerry's first gift of $5 to Vandal Boosters took place almost 60
years ago in 1947, the first year of Vandal Boosters Inc. Jerry served as
president of the National Vandal Boosters in 1978, organized host families
for student athletes and established the Norma, Jerry Jay and Gerald Snow
Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of his first wife, Norma, and their son
Jerry Jay. The Snow's contributed more than $27,000 in 2006 to the Vandal
Scholarship Fund, the Quarterback Club, the Athletic Director's Excellence
Fund and to their endowment. 

To learn more about giving to Vandal Athletics, please contact Mahmood
Sheikh at (208) 364-4027 or visit www.vandalscholarshipfund.com.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Take care, Vandals.

Tom Hansen
Vandalville, Idaho
UI '96


Came a tribe from the north brave and bold . . .

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