THE SMYLIE YEARS
“Governor Smylie had more accomplishments in his three terms than any other governor in the history of the state.’”
The first College of Idaho alumnus to be elected governor was Robert E. Smylie ’38, who was elected in 1954 and served three consecutive fouryear terms, becoming the first—and still only—Idaho governor to do so. The late Smylie, who passed away in 2004, is remembered as one of the great men in the history of both the College and the state of Idaho. He came to the Gem State from rural Iowa, where his formative years were marked by the Great Depression. As a student at the College, Smylie played football, served as yearbook editor and was elected student body president. “Robert Smylie was a true Coyote who bled purple and gold,” said C of I political economy professor Jasper LiCalzi. “While an undergraduate, he was a star football player and yet still swept the old field house to help pay for his tuition. Smylie was, and will always be, an inspiration for young people with a dream of making their world a better place.” After graduation, Smylie attended George Washington University Law School. He then spent four years in the Coast Guard during World War II, serving first as an enlisted man and later as an officer. Smylie became active in Idaho politics after the war. He was appointed assistant attorney general in 1947 and the same year, at the age of 33, was appointed attorney general. Three years later he won election as attorney general. His administration as governor addressed issues relating to public education and its funding, natural resources, public health and the creation of a modern state park system. His participation in broad political affairs also brought Idaho much national publicity. “Governor Smylie had more accomplishments in his three terms than any other governor in the history of the state,” LiCalzi said. “He did what was right and not what was politically expedient—his support for the Gov. Robert Smylie ’38 dedicates a memorial to Frank Steunenberg. As governor, Smylie state sales tax brought Idaho into the modern era, yet probably ended helped bring Idaho into the modern era. his political career. in the history of the state. Andrus first was elected in 1970 and earned “This state and country can only hope we will have leaders in the future reelection in 1974 before resigning in 1977 to become Secretary of the who show the courage of their convictions in the same Interior for four years during the administration of President manner Robert Smylie did in service to all Idahoans.” Jimmy Carter. Andrus returned to Idaho and was elected to a After leaving office in 1967, Smylie practiced law in third term as governor in 1986 and an unprecedented fourth Boise. Through the years, his loyalty to his alma mater term in 1990. was unrivaled. He served as the College’s acting president According to LiCalzi, Andrus was the first American in 1974 and is one of two Board of Trustees members to politician to make an environmental issue—the White have been awarded the distinction of “Trustee for Life.” His Clouds/molybdenum mine dispute—the lead issue in a legacy at the College includes the creation of the Robert E. campaign for elective office. In the ensuing years, Andrus Smylie Archives in Sterry Hall, a repository that emphasizes came to be identified with numerous environmental success state and local government as well as the College’s history stories including the passage of the Alaska Lands Act and Cecil Andrus and proud heritage of public service. National Surface Mining Act of 1977 and establishing the During Smylie’s funeral, C of I history professor Howard Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area, the Snake Berger paid tribute to the man who gave so much to his River Birds of Prey Area and the Sawtooth and Hells Canyon state and his school. National Recreation Areas. Reminders of his successes “Idaho is simply a much better place to live because of the dot the Idaho landscape, including the Andrus Center for life and career of Robert E. Smylie,” Berger said. Public Policy at Boise State University and Cecil D. Andrus Elementary School in Boise. THE MODERN ERA Andrus was followed by Philip E. Batt, a longtime Next in the line of governors linked to The College of Idaho politician and former member of the C of I Board of Idaho was Cecil Andrus, another former chairman of the Trustees. Batt, a Canyon County native, is widely credited Board of Trustees who became the longest-serving governor with rebuilding the Idaho Republican Party’s structure and Phil Batt
—Jasper LiCalzi, C of I political economy professor
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