“It’s important to teach the kids that a little bit can do a lot,” Jensen said. “Our little story might inspire someone else to give. The kids learned a lot from this experience. We all felt good about doing something positive for someone else.” More than 20 veterans have been able to earn academic degrees through the support of Operation Education, also available to spouses of qualifying veterans. It’s one of the reasons that UI ranks in the Top 50 U.S. universities as Best For Vets Colleges in 2013, an annual survey of Military Times magazine.
Inspiring Faculty To date, several colleges and units within the university have attained or are close to their total financial campaign goals. Each established a sub-set of four separate goals to help support students, faculty, programs and facilities. The total in each of the four pools equals each college’s total gifts to date. However, the goals for faculty support have yet to be met by several colleges. “Faculty are essential ingredients to the success of our students, our university, our state and our future,” said Chris Murray, vice president for advancement. Support for endowed faculty positions allows the university to offer competitive salaries and continued research support to its best teachers and scholars. “As teachers, they provide the knowledge, expertise and mentorship to enrich the minds and futures of our students. As researchers and scholars, they lead the necessary discovery
Clockwise from left are UI professors Jon Miller, Scott Metlen, Mike McCollough, Sanjay Sisodiya and Dan Eveleth with donor Dan Alsaker ’72.
and innovation needed to solve global problems, advance Idaho’s economy and better our quality of life,” Murray said. Donors like Dan Alsaker ’72, College of Business and Economics, agree. “One of the key ingredients to our education formula is crafting and supporting a strong and talented faculty,” Alsaker said. “Together with curious and eager students, the combination continuously yields remarkable award-winning results. When our family foundation considered financial support for the university and the college, we naturally wanted to first address the need for a more sustainable faculty. “The deliverable is salary enhancement, which brings stability and makes lasting impacts on great numbers of students,” he said.
Inspiring Employees The Inspiring Futures faculty and staff campaign committee has been active in getting university employees involved. Many have joined the campaign efforts to support their institution. To learn more or make a gift visit: uidaho.edu/inspire. 13