Anonymous Donor Pledges $100,000 to ISU Physics Dept.’s Meadows Memorial Scholarship

An anonymous donor has pledged $100,000 towards scholarships for physics students at Idaho State University.

Recently, the ISU alum made an initial gift of $35,000 towards the ISU Department of Physics’ Meadows Memorial Scholarship and pledged an additional $65,000 over the next two years to the fund. 

“It was a natural fit, and I am grateful for what my education has done for me,” said the donor. "My work as an engineer in both the oil and mining industries took me to many different countries–some several times.  It was a great experience and wouldn't have happened without my education."

“We are very grateful to receive this generous pledge, and this transformational gift will support scholarships in perpetuity, providing lasting support for students to pursue their academic goals,” said Blair Devenberg, philanthropic associate with ISU’s College of Science and Engineering. “Endowed scholarships are a wonderful way to create a meaningful legacy and ensure future generations benefit from this generosity. We are deeply appreciative of our Alumni's commitment to empowering students and advancing education for years to come."  

The Meadows Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Steven “Snuffy” Meadows, who began his career at Idaho State University–then known as Idaho Technical Institute—in 1923. Meadows was the first chair of the Department of Physics after it was split from the Department of Math. It was a position Meadows would hold for 35 years before retiring in 1963.

"I was recently discharged from the Army and married when I enrolled in Idaho State College's civil engineering program, taking advantage of the Korean G.I. Bill,” the donor said. “Professor Meadows was stern but fair and always available to help. He had a way of connecting physics with other things in life and how this would apply to that. Dr. Joseph Price was also an influence. It was he who suggested I change my major to physics upon completion of my sophomore year. He was also my advisor on several projects." ”

For more information on how you can support students in Idaho State University’s College of Science and Engineering, visit isu.edu/cose/ways-to-give. 

More on ISU’s Department of Physics can be found at isu.edu/physics.