Alumnus Establishes Tenth Scholarship in College of Business in Recognition of Professor

After graduating from Idaho State University College of Business nearly 60 years ago, alumnus Peter C. Kole and his wife Nancy have instituted numerous scholarship endowments throughout the University with 10 of those being in the College of Business alone. Throughout the years, the Kole’s have given back as an opportunity to recognize the impact of individuals who have made a profound impact on the College or University. This month, the College of Business is very grateful to announce the Kole’s most recent contribution in honor of Informatics Professor, Dr. Corey Schou.

The Peter C. Kole – Dr. Corey Schou Scholarship Endowment will benefit College of Business students in perpetuity, with preference given to students who are single parents or the child of a single parent.

After a nearly 20-year career working as an Instructional Designer at FedEx and a five-year appointment as assistant professor at Florida State University, Schou took a position working as a professor at Idaho State University 37 years ago. In 1997, Schou became the Director of the National Information Assurance Training and Education Center (NIATEC) within Idaho State University. The NIATEC program, which Schou helped to pioneer, is a federally funded program that allows College of Business graduate students to gain experience working in cybersecurity. Under the program, students earn a stipend, paid tuition, among other benefits in exchange for two years of service working for a federal agency after graduation. Due to this benefit, the program has maintained a 100 percent placement rate since its inception.  

 As computers began to become more prevalent in the 1980s, it became clear that new security measures would need to be developed. Schou played a major role in developing the curriculum used in the national Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Systems Security program. Schou’s work in cybersecurity has been so impactful, that in 2019 he was inducted into the Cyber Security Hall of Fame by the Center for Education and Research Information Assurance and Security.

According to a 2019 article in the Idaho State Journal, Schou was “recognized for his work in defining the field of cyber security and leading efforts to standardize the common body of knowledge used by organizations around the world.” Due to his recognition in the field, Schou also received a Fulbright fellowship in New Zealand in addition to invitations to over 36 international presentations.

"Dr. Corey Schou literally wrote the book on information assurance,” said College of Business Dean, Dr. Shane Hunt. “His knowledge and expertise have made businesses and governments across the world more secure. Corey has also positively impacted generations of Idaho State University students and I am very thankful to be his colleague and friend." 

Kole, a 1963 graduate, recently retired from the 40-year ownership and operation of Paramount Metal Products in Cleveland Ohio. As a successful graduate, Kole has been recognized as the Idaho State University College of Business Professional Achievement Award recipient, he has received the University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and been granted an Honorary Doctorate. Throughout the years, the College of Business, College of Education, and the Athletics Department have all been able to award thousands of dollars in financial assistance to students due to Peter and Nancy Kole’s generosity and support.