Donor Support Continues at Idaho State University

Idaho State University has once again demonstrated the power of community support by receiving more than $18 million in philanthropic contributions for fiscal year 2024, which concluded on June 30. This amount surpasses the previous year’s donations by nearly $4 million.

“Idaho State University’s rise as a leading comprehensive research university in the state is a testament to the remarkable generosity of our donors,” said Dr. Robert W. Wagner, President of Idaho State University. “Their support for scholarships, distinguished educators, excellence in the arts, athletics and impactful research not only benefits our students and communities but also drives a robust state economy.”

A total of 8,853 donors contributed to a variety of university priorities, including endowed student scholarships, faculty support, research initiatives and athletic programs.

“Once again, our donors demonstrated their unwavering commitment to advancing student success and faculty excellence,” said Kandi Turley-Ames, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters and Interim Vice President for University Advancement. “We are profoundly grateful for the continued support that helps propel our mission forward and enriches the lives of our students and faculty.”

Idaho State University remains dedicated to its mission of providing exceptional education and research opportunities, and this record-setting philanthropic support is a crucial component of that commitment.

Fiscal year 2024 Idaho State philanthropy highlights include:

• Generous donors gave $8.5 million to fund endowed and immediate-use scholarships at Idaho State. During fiscal year 2024, the university distributed more than $3.7 million in scholarships. This support includes 24 newly endowed scholarships. 

• Four new donors were inducted into the university’s giving society for estate gifts, the ISU Legacy Society, committing more than $10 million in estate gifts in support of the university.

• The third annual Bengal Giving Day drew donations from 22 states with 1,051 gifts from 731 donors totaling nearly $1.2 million. Proceeds support over 115 university student and faculty initiatives and programs. Since its inception, Bengal Giving Day donor support has totaled more than $2.5 million.

• L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy alumna Dr. Nicki Chopski, ’97, founded the Chopski Family Student Travel Award Endowment with a $100,000 gift in support of student pharmacists to travel to national conferences and professional development.

• The Stanley M. Reinhaus Family Foundation’s $150,000 gift to the L.S. Skaggs College of Pharmacy’s Center for Advancing Pharmacy Practice and Research Excellence will help expand the college’s Bengal Pharmacy locations to Anchorage, Alaska.

• The John W. and Ellen Irene Stephens Family Trust gift of $116,000 to College of Science and Engineering for the James Stephens Geology Scholarship Endowment will provide tuition assistance to geology students. 

• The Gene Magleby Foundation contributed $124,500 to the Eugene H. Magleby Scholarship Fund, which benefits students of any program throughout the College of Science and Engineering. 

• More than $750,000 was gifted to Bengal Athletics through 635 gifts during the University’s 2023 Prepare to Roar campaign, a record-setting level of generosity for the campaign. In addition to supporting each NCAA Division I team, key priority initiatives included: Bengal Nutrition, Cost of Attendance Financial Aid Support, and Sports Performance. 

• A transformational $500,000 gift was pledged by Direct Communications to support the Bengal softball program and erect “Direct Communications Field at Miller Ranch Stadium.” This venue will be the crown jewel of all peer Big Sky Conference institutions and is the only fully turfed collegiate softball complex in the state of Idaho. 

• Thanks to the remarkable generosity of longtime Idaho State University benefactor Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), a multi-million dollar commitment was made to rename Holt Arena to the ICCU Dome. ICCU’s investment will support scholarships, as well as investments in coaching staff and several key initiatives required by the Big Sky Conference Strategic Plan. 

• An anonymous lead gift totaling nearly $300,000, followed by multiple commitments from devout Idaho State University Athletics enthusiasts, led to a half-million dollar upgrade of the Jared Allen Strength & Conditioning Center. This space now leads the Big Sky Conference in terms of functionality, a recruiting advantage for all Bengal teams. 

• The unveiling of the highly anticipated donor wall within the College of Education acknowledging educators' support of future educators. Through endowed and annual scholarship, the College of Education distributes $150,000 annually in scholarships.

• Individual donors have established five new endowed scholarships totaling $285,500, benefiting programs across the social sciences and fine arts. Among them is the Suzanne L. and Roy Miller Scholarship Endowment for the Department of Music, which includes a generous gift of $100,000. These contributions directly support students and reflect the donors' deep passion for their respective fields. Overall, the College of Arts and Letters awards over $253,000 in scholarships to students annually.

• Thanks to the generosity of over 300 alumni, faculty, staff and friends, the College of Arts and Letters has established five new Faculty Legacy Endowment Scholarships, totaling over $195,000. These scholarships support students in the humanities and fine arts while honoring faculty contributions and ensuring a lasting impact in their fields.

• The Kasiska Family Foundation increased the Eva Kasiska Scholarship Endowment by over $1 million to support nursing student education.

• The Idaho Museum of Natural History received a three-year grant of $180,000 from the David B. Jones Foundation to fund a cargo van and education coordinator that will travel the state of Idaho with exhibits to share with students in their own classrooms.

• The Colleges of Education and Business received a generous $100,000 in support of future educators and accountants for the LaNay F. and Gordon B. Davis scholarship.

• The Jeff and Jeanette Johnson family established an endowment within the College of Technology to help students in need, and to support the dean with funding greatest needs, circumstances or priorities that matter the most at that time.

• For five decades Rick Newlin graced the counter and aisles of Standard Plumbing in Pocatello, ID. “Rotten Rick” to those who knew him, Newlin made a tremendous mark on the plumbing community and those who loved him. Within three short months, over $80,000 was gifted to support future plumbing apprenticeships. This effort was orchestrated and led by alumni and long-time Bengal supporters Tana and JD Christensen, owners of Platinum Plumbing and Directional Drilling. The scholarship will be the first ISU Scholarship Endowment to ever benefit the Continuing Education and Workforce Training program. For the Christensens, funding a scholarship in Newlin’s memory is the perfect way to ensure his legacy, and the gift of knowledge, lives on. 

• Yvonne Dial Family Scholarship – Started by retired Magistrate Judge Tom Dial, his wife, Gail, a professor emeriti of the College of Arts and Letters, and their family, this memorial endowment commemorates the love and support Yvonne Dial brought into the world. This scholarship supports students in the Center for New Directions who are facing difficult and challenging situations, and striving to overcome obstacles. 

• Bill and Rosemary Kobus recently completed a $50,000 gift to the Energy Systems Technical Education Center (ESTEC) in the form of a program endowment. This endowment will generate funds annually, and in perpetuity, to support the continuing education in the ESTEC program. This investment was particularly important for the Kobus family, because one of their sons and grandsons both graduated from the program. Their son Michael loved the program so much, he became an instructor and now teaches courses in the program. The Kobus family have made significant impacts with their philanthropy at Idaho State University, including the Annual Alumni Awards display at the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center. 

• The College of Business Economics Department received the largest gift in their history from the estate of alumna Bobette (Bobbi) Wilhelm, who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2020. Bobbi left gifts to an existing endowment with the University Honors Program, and her generosity created two new endowments with the economics department – one for program support and another for scholarships.

• An anonymous donor gave $100,000 to the entrepreneurship program in the College of Business to support students as they compete and pitch their business ideas in regional and national competitions. This gift represents the largest in the history of the entrepreneurship program.

• The Vincent and Norma Davis Family Scholarship was established by former College of Technology Dean, Dr. Marilyn Davis. This endowment will award annually, and in perpetuity, a $1,000 scholarship to a student in their 2nd semester in the Diesel Technology program in the College of Technology. Students only need to meet basic criteria to be eligible, and preference is awarded to Idaho students. Dr. Davis created this endowment to commemorate her parents, and memorialize her love for ISU.

Idaho State University Foundation

The Mission of the Idaho State University Foundation is to inspire voluntary private support from alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and others for the benefit of Idaho State University.

The Foundation raises and manages private resources supporting the mission and priorities of the University, and provides opportunities for students and a degree of institutional excellence unavailable with state funding levels.

The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the University in the building of the endowment to address, through financial support, the long-term academic and other priorities of the University.

The Foundation is responsible for identifying and nurturing relationships with potential donors and other friends of the University; soliciting cash, securities, real and intellectual property, and other private resources for the support of the University; and acknowledging and stewarding such gifts in accordance with donor intent and its fiduciary responsibilities.