Letter from the president

Dear Vandals,

Our University of Idaho deliberately sets out to blaze new trails. The U of I was founded in 1889, one year before Idaho gained statehood. Now, 135 years later, Vandals continue to innovate and chart new pathways in creating opportunities for students.

Throughout this issue of Here We Have Idaho, you’ll read about how the U of I experience elevates and illuminates students.

In the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, the Vandal Finish initiative helps students finish their degrees or earn an associate degree, leading to better career opportunities. Our inaugural class of associate degree graduates included more than 250 students last spring.

Students in the College of Natural Resources took on a project that included gathering public feedback and accommodating park users while preserving the natural landscape in McCroskey State Park. The project emphasized the importance of weighing different stakeholder viewpoints.

U of I College of Law students serve Idahoans while gaining real-world experience through the Idaho Heritage Project. Rural communities throughout Idaho face a severe shortage of lawyers, but the College of Law established internships in rural communities to help address the need.

Working professionals often have limited options to advance their careers. The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences offers a mostly online program for special education paraprofessionals to earn their teaching certificates, expanding their career possibilities.

And the Vandal Healing Garden and Memorial represents the heart of the Vandal Family. Designed and built by students in the College of Art and Architecture with input from the community, the space is dedicated to all Vandal students who passed away while attending the U of I.

We’re proud to build on our tradition of breaking new ground and providing transformative opportunities for students and our community.

Go Vandals!

Published in the Fall 2024 issue of Here We Have Idaho.