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ISU Homecoming 2024

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Homecoming Awards

Nominations for the 2024 Homecoming Awards are open! All nominations should be submitted in writing on the official Homecoming nomination form and shall include all personal data and information relevant to the candidate's qualifications. 

Nominations can be submitted by anyone and are due in the Office of Alumni Relations by March 31. The awards will be given at the President’s Alumni Recognition Dinner on Friday, Sep 20, 2024. Information about the awards are listed below. For questions, please contact the Alumni Office at (208) 282-3755.

 

Kent Oram

Kent Oram

ISU Distinguished Alumnus Award

Kent Oram retired as CEO of Idaho Central Credit Union in December 2022. Idaho  Central is one of the fastest growing credit unions in the Nation and in his role as CEO, he oversaw overall operations of the Credit Union. 

Kent’s career with ICCU began in 1984 as the Data Processing Manager. He was  named Executive Vice President in 1986. In 2007, Kent was selected as the President  and CEO. Kent believes a successful organization must be focused on engaged and  energized employees. During his tenure as CEO, Kent built a world-class culture at  Idaho Central Credit Union. 

Kent holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Idaho State University as well as Certified Chief Executive and Certified Credit Union Executive designations  from the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). He was presented with the CUES  Rising 100 Award in 2006, was recognized as the CUES Outstanding Chief Executive  Officer in 2013 and inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2015, Kent was  named Idaho State Journal’s Professional of the Year, Idaho State University Alpha  Kappa Psi selected Kent as the 2016 Idaho Business Leader of the Year, he was  named a CEO of Influence by the Idaho Business Review in 2018, and an ICON  recipient in 2020. Kent was recognized as one of Idaho’s 50 Most Influential Leaders in  2022. In 2023, Kent was inducted into the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Hall of  Fame. 

Kent is a long-time resident of Eastern Idaho. He and his wife, Dawnette, have  daughters Holly (Tony), Jodi (Donny), and Noelle (Clark). They love to shower their 13  grandchildren with love. Kent spends time with his family, works on his little farm, and takes advantage of the great Idaho outdoors. 

Kent is eternally grateful for the wonderful educational opportunities he received at  Idaho State University. He is also grateful for the opportunity he has had to give back.

Dr. Earl and Bernadett Stoddard

 

Dr. Earl and Bernadett Stoddard

President's Medallion 

Both Earl and Bernadett were born and raised in southeastern Idaho. Earl attended and graduated in 1991 from Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho. Bernadett attended and graduated in 1995 from Preston High School. After serving a proselytizing mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in southern Chile, Earl returned to his studies at Idaho State University.  

Meanwhile, the younger Bernadett Burns helped Preston High win a state high school volleyball championship. Her love of sports and the kindness of the amazing ISU recruiting staff made it possible for Bernadett to continue her volleyball career at Idaho State University, eventually earning a starting position for the Bengals. Earl and Bernadett met during her first year on campus, and Earl was smitten. During the summer of 1996, the two were married.  

Earl graduated from ISU in 1997 and was accepted into the medical school program at the University of Washington. Bernadett played her second and final season of volleyball for ISU in the fall of 1996 as she left ISU to support Earl during his training. Earl graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2001, completed a dermatology residency at Duke University and a fellowship in Mohs Micrographic Surgery with the Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee in Florida. 

In the midst of all Earl’s training, Bernadett had five beautiful children, volunteered at many schools, served in many positions in their church and coached in the different communities.   Together they moved 14 times, 4 times across the country, eventually ending up back here in Pocatello where they first met. 

Earl and Bernadett are the founders of the Idaho Skin Institute, continue to serve in their church, and help in the community. They count raising five wonderful children and being grandparents to three wonderful boys as their most important accomplishment and greatest blessing. Both are grateful to Idaho State University for bringing them together, providing them with a strong academic foundation, and for being a place they can both call home.  

Tim and Elaine May

Tim and Elaine May

William J. Bartz Award

Tim May is a 3rd generation manager in the telecom industry. He has been working at Direct Communications in one way or another since the age of eight when he would deliver phone books in the summer and is currently the Owner/President of the company. Tim attended BYU- Idaho where he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and met his wife, Elaine. Elaine also studied at BYU- Idaho completing her bachelor’s degree in business management.  

After getting married, they both attended Idaho State University. Tim graduated with his master’s in accounting, and Elaine graduated with her master’s in business administration. Tim and Elaine have been married for twelve years. They moved to Rockland 10 years ago where they have raised their five children. As a family, they enjoy going to basketball games, boating and traveling.           

As an ISU alumnus, Tim has been able to get involved with the University in a variety of capacities. Tim is on the advisory board for the College of Arts and Letters and has helped to start the INCLUDE project which helps get college courses into rural schools.  Recently this project has been working to add mental health access to schools using this same technology. Direct Communications has donated around $150,000 towards this INCLUDE project. 

This year Direct Communications announced its donation to the ISU athletic program for $150,000 over the next three years which will help provide the opportunity for ISU to be involved in the Southeastern Idaho Youth Football program. 

Giving back to the community is important to Tim and Elaine. Because of this Tim started the Upgrade Your School program at Direct Communications. When new customers sign up for the internet or upgrade their internet package, they can donate their first month payment to the school of their choice. Over the last couple of years this program has been able to donate over $300,000 to schools in Eastern Idaho. Tim and Elaine are happy to be able to help local schools and look forward to continuing their relationship with ISU in the years to come.

Dr. Donna Lybecker

Dr. Donna Lybecker

ISU Achievement Award

Donna L. Lybecker, professor of political science, joined the faculty at ISU in 2007. She has served as ISU’s acting vice president for research (2020-2022), assistant dean for the graduate school and chair of the political science department.

Donna’s passion is teaching, in particular teaching Bengals. She teaches classes in International Relations, Comparative Politics, Latin American Politics and Environmental Politics. She regularly advises undergraduate honors theses and graduate master’s theses and doctoral dissertations in Political Science, along with master’s theses in Environmental Science and Management. She was named ISU’s Distinguished Teacher in 2013 and ASISU Teach of the Year in 2010. 

Donna’s research interests include the politics of borders, environmental politics in the Western U.S. and Latin America and the framing of political issues. She has focused on interdisciplinary endeavors to connect diverse researchers, with the aim of addressing issues in emerging areas that impact Idaho, the United States and global communities. Donna has published more than 40 articles and book chapters, many white papers and technical notes and two books. In addition, she has been the principal investigator or co-co-principal investigator for multimillion-dollar grant funding and regularly presents her work at national and international conferences. She has been a visiting researcher/scientist at Oregon State University, National University of Galway (Ireland) and University of Otago (New Zealand). 

Donna is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Advisory Committee, chairs the Selection Committee for The Bert & Phyllis Lamb Prize in Political Science and serves as an associate editor for the Social Science Journal and the International Journal for Sustainable Society. Locally, Donna has served on the Board of Directors for the Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust and as a member of the City of Pocatello’s Portneuf River Vision Study Working Group, she teaches Liberal Arts High courses at high schools, along with courses for New Knowledge Adventures and has helped with Blackfoot High School’s “We the People” competitive government team. At ISU Donna has served on many committees, including co-lead of the Sustainability Committee. She was awarded ISU’s Outstanding Service Award in 2017 and 2016 and ASISU Advisor of the Year in 2009.

Allyson Johnson

Allyson Johnson

ISU Distinguished Service Award

Allyson Johnson has been greeting guests with her friendly smile at Idaho State University events for the past 15 years. She epitomizes the true spirit of being a Bengal and embodies a commitment to ISU. As Director of University Events and Protocol, Allyson creates events that unite alums, friends and supporters and gives them a place to celebrate all that ISU means to them. She helps welcome students to campus each fall and orchestrates meaningful commencement ceremonies twice a year to honor their achievements. 

Allyson demonstrates dedication to excellence through her events time and time again and meets any challenge with determination, grace and grit. 

Allyson is proud to be part of the Bengal family and holds two degrees from ISU. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 2005 and completed her Master of Arts in Communication in 2014. Her husband, Jeremy, also works at the University, and together they are raising two young Bengals. Fueled by tremendous generosity and a desire to make others happy, she has enriched our community.

Jesse Arnoldson

Jesse Arnoldson

Young Alumnus Award

Jesse Arnoldson was raised in Springfield, Idaho. He graduated from Idaho State University with his bachelor’s degree in Spanish for Business and Professions with a minor in marketing in 2014. He went on to receive his master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration a year later.

During his time as a College of Business student, Jesse worked with Bengal Solutions, which connected him to his first career with MedMan. Jesse started at MedMan in 2016 full-time. Jesse is the Regional Operation Officer, where he transitions clinics from crisis mode to stabilization through onsite leadership to improve staff morale, organize operations and sets the right course financially. Jesse is one of four partners of the company that helped purchase MedMan in 2018 from its original founder, ISU alumnus Jim Trounson.  

Jesse married his wife, Hilary in 2010 and together they have five beautiful children. 

Demetrius Amos and Mackenzie Handel

Demetrius Amos

Mackenzie Handel

Parade Grand Marshals

Growing up in Paramount, California, Demetrius moved to Pocatello, Idaho, in 2007 on a full-ride football scholarship with the Bengals. Amos played for the ISU Football program for three years and graduated in 2011 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. 

Corporal Amos started at the Pocatello Police Department on March 10, 2016, as a patrol officer. Through the years, Amos has worked his way up the ranks and now has several special assignments, including swat operator, field training officer training new recruits, physical fitness instructor and firearms instructor for the state of Idaho. 

Amos has certifications in basic peace officer, intermediate peace officer, advanced peace officer, firearms instructor, instructor development, basic tactical operator and field training officer. 

 

Mackenzie Handel was born and raised in Lancaster Pennsylvania. Following graduation from Penn Manor High School, Mackenzie enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served for 5 years with one deployment to Afghanistan. Mackenzie was lucky to spend time in Okinawa, Japan, and he left the Marine Corps as a Sergeant. He is currently in his fifth year of service as a Patrol Officer with the Pocatello Police Department. While at the Pocatello Police Department, Mackenzie has served as a member of the SWAT team for three years and a sniper for two. He is also a Field Training Officer, and he instructs Tactical Medicine, Taser and Active Shooter Response. Mackenzie has recently married his wife, Erin.

Make a Nomination

Nominations for Homecoming Awards are submitted in writing on the official Homecoming nomination form and shall include all personal data and information relevant to the candidate's qualifications. Nominations can be submitted by anyone and are due in the Office of Alumni Relations no later than the end of March for awards given in the Fall of that same year.

ISU Distinguished Alumna/us:
Established in 1960 this award recognizes exemplary professional and personal contributions resulting in national or international recognition.

ISU Achievement Award:
Established in 1984, this award recognizes personal actions, generosity and self-sacrifice on behalf of the University by a current faculty member or an emeritus faculty member.

ISU Distinguished Service Award:
Established in 2004, this award recognizes ISU staff members who have shown exceptional loyalty to the University through an extended period of employment.

William J. Bartz Award:
Established in 1976, this award recognizes continued support and development of ISU through personal actions, participation in University affairs and financial support regardless of alumni status.

President's Medallion:
Established in 2001 in recognition of Centennial celebration, this award honors friends and alumni whose outstanding accomplishments and exemplary service bring distinction to the University and advance higher education.

Homecoming Parade Marshal(s):
Established in 1984, this award recognizes faculty, staff or alumni who have made a significant impact in the ISU community. This award is presented by the ASISU president.

Young Alumni Award:
Established in 2012, this award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the last ten years for exceptional achievement in career, public service and volunteerism that brings honor to the University.