A Testament to Student Dedication

The College of Arts and Letters is excited to announce the completion of the William McCurdy Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will provide ongoing support for students in the philosophy program. A special thank you to the ISU Philosophy Club and ISU alumnus Tom Neel for their dedication and efforts in making this possible.

The Philosophy Club has worked tirelessly in recent months to finalize the endowment, ensuring that future students can benefit from this scholarship. Their innovative fundraising initiatives and commitment have truly honored a beloved faculty member and will have a lasting impact on the program.

Professor James Skidmore, department vice chair and director of philosophy says, "We currently have the most outstanding group of students I have ever seen in our program. This scholarship will be such a great help in enabling us to recognize and support their work. We are grateful to all those who helped make it possible, and I can't think of a better way to honor Bill McCurdy."

Eligible students for the William McCurdy Memorial Scholarship Fund must be full-time undergraduate students at Idaho State University, in good academic standing, and have declared a major in Philosophy or English. Preference will be given to those with a declared major in Philosophy, and candidates must also demonstrate financial need.

Tom Neel, who was instrumental in completing the endowment, shares his thoughts about the importance of philosophy study: “In my experience, the study of philosophy is essential. Human philosophical perspectives inform and govern the foundations of our actions, plans, and relationships. Without philosophical exploration, human perspectives rest often on inheritance and status quo. Philosophical inquiry therefore breathes life into the human vision, providing essential questions and sometimes essential answers to human experience and decision.

For more information, or to donate to this or other scholarship funds, please contact College of Arts and Letters Philanthropic Advisor, Tabitha La Force at (208) 282-1404, tabithalaforce@isu.edu.