[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter from UI President Tim White (May 11, 2007)

[Tom Hansen]

Copied and pasted below is the UI Friday Letter from UI President Tim White
for May 11, 2007.

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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 May 11, 2007

Dear Friends,

This year, our May Commencement ceremonies have special significance. In
addition to celebrating the academic achievements of more than 1,700
graduates, we will mark a most notable milestone for the University; the
awarding of our 100,000th degree. To know that we have granted 100,000
degrees over more than a century makes me very proud of the present, and
inspired for the future. Our newest alumni take the next steps in their
lives, and continue the University's legacy of developing true leaders for
our state, nation and world. 

We celebrated commencement at the University of Idaho Boise on Monday, and
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden presented the commencement address. A
President's Medallion was presented to the servicemen and servicewomen of
the Idaho National Guard in recognition of their exceptional service to the
state and nation. In a moving moment, Major General Lawrence Lafrenz, the
Commanding General of Idaho's National Guard, received the medallion on
their behalf.

Tomorrow, we celebrate our 2007 Commencement at Moscow. Paul Risser,
director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and chair
of the Research Cabinet at the University of Oklahoma, will deliver the
commencement address. Former Idaho Governor John V. Evans, former state
Senator Laird Noh '60 and Rotchford L. "Rotchy" Barker '61, former director
and honorary life member of the Chicago Board of Trade, will receive
honorary doctor of administrative science degrees. A President's Medallion
will be presented to the Reverend Percy "Happy" Watkins, a fixture in
Spokane's African American community, who has served as the longtime pastor
of the New Hope Baptist Church.

We also will recognize this year's Alumni Hall of Fame inductees: D. John
Thornton '70, '73, Kirby Dyess '68, Sharlene Gage '64,'66 and Keith Riffle
'62,'63. 

I find commencement to be the most important day on the academic year
calendar. Indeed, it is a goose-bump-inducing celebration, not only because
of the pomp and circumstance, but because we see - indeed, feel - the joy,
tears and pride of students and families. These emotions are stirred in our
graduates because of the inspiring, transformative journey they have had as
students of the University of Idaho. I thank you all for making that
experience possible.

Tim White
President

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

Commencement details this year are as follows: The processional across
campus begins at 8:30 a.m., and the ceremony at 9:30. We will award all
degrees, except for the College of Law, at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Colleges
will hold receptions for graduates and their families and friends at
locations across campus following commencement. The College of Law
commencement ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. in the Student Union Building
Ballroom.

The Idaho Assistive Technology Loan Program at the University's Center on
Disabilities and Human Development in the College of Education recently
surpassed the $1 million mark in loans made to Idahoans with disabilities
and their families for the purchase of assistive technology. Assistive
technology includes items such as walkers, scooters, accessible showers and
bathtubs, wheelchair ramps, specialized computers, home accessibility
modifications and adapted vehicles. Because the IATP's loan program offers a
low interest rate and the possibility of a partial or full loan guarantee,
it often can help someone to obtain a loan who would not qualify under a
traditional loan program.

The University of Idaho Department of Athletics would like to thank Pete '93
and Betsy Barton '94 McDonald of Boise for their recent gift of $5,000 to
the Vandal Scholarship Fund in support of athletic scholarships and $5,000
to the Quarterback Club that provides Coach Robb Akey with discretionary
funds for his football program. Athletic Director Rob Spear said "Pete and
Betsy's commitment is greatly appreciated and a model for all of us to
follow. They truly are part of a new generation of donors who are stepping
up and are showcasing generosity towards their alma mater." Pete is
completing his yearlong term as president of the Ada County Vandal Boosters,
and projections show the group will generate a record $700,000 for the
Vandal Scholarship Fund this year. Pete is managing partner of Premier
Insurance and Betsy is a stay-at-home mother for their two future Vandals,
Ginny, age 5, and Jack, age 2. If you would like to learn more about
supporting student athletes at the University of Idaho, contact Mahmood
Sheikh at (208) 364-4027, or sheikh at uidaho.edu.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Take care, Vandals.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
UI '96

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

"Here We Have Idaho"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/HWHI.mp3

"I-D-A-H-O Idaho Idaho Go Go Go"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/Vandals.mp3