‘I Love ISU’ scholarship campaign sets sights on $400,000 goal

The 26th annual “I Love ISU” campaign is off and running with callers in Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and Pocatello trying to raise this year’s goal of $400,000 for Idaho State University scholarships.

The Blackfoot volunteer calling campaign was held on Aug. 28; the Idaho Falls volunteer calling campaign will run Sept. 8-9; and the Pocatello and American Falls volunteer calling campaign will run Sept. 15-18.

“Southeast Idaho has always responded favorably when contacted by ‘I Love ISU’ volunteers,” said K.C. Felt, ISU director of annual giving. “We’re hopeful the community will do the same again this year.”

In 2007, “I Love ISU” raised $390,907 in pledges. For the 2007-08 academic year, “I Love ISU” awarded more that $350,000 in scholarships to area students.

From 1982 through 2007 the “I Love ISU” campaign has gathered $5,285,610 in scholarship pledges and paid pledges have been $5,014,584, a 95 percent payment rate.

During that same period 4,380 callers made 257,189 calls to collect the pledges.  The pledges and donations were collected from donors in Power, Bannock, Bingham and Bonneville counties.

On Sept. 8-9 Idaho Falls volunteers will call from the Bennion Student Union Building at University Place from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. On Sept. 15-18, volunteers in the Pond Student Union Building in Pocatello will call during the same hours.

Donations to the scholarship campaign will continue to help meet a huge need.

“These scholarships are as important now as they’ve ever been,” Felt said. “Many students have to work part or even full time to afford college. The scholarships they receive are often the ‘difference makers’ for whether or not students attend college.”

Besides the calling days, there are a number of events associated with this campaign. The “I Love ISU” calling campaign will be among the topics that ISU President Arthur C. Vailas will discuss at the Idaho Falls Chamber Forum luncheon at noon Sept. 2 at the Red Lion Hotel in Idaho Falls.

On Sept. 5, “I Love ISU” representatives will attend the monthly Pocatello Chamber luncheon at noon at the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello.

The “I Love ISU” Celebration, hosted by Watkins Distributing, will be held following the end of the calling campaign as part of the Pocatello Chamber Business After Hours from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Sports Medicine Complex near Holt Arena.

For additional information on “I Love ISU” contact Felt at (208) 282-2994 or the ISU Foundation at (208) 282-3470. Information is also available at the Web site www.isu.edu/departments/alumni/foundation/iloveisu/.