TO A GENEROUS MAN

Over the years, the College of Business and its students have been supported by the generosity of many great alumni and friends. One of these sources is the unstinting support of alumnus Peter C. Kole. Throughout the years, Kole and his wife Nancy have established and funded eight scholarship endowments for the College’s students. “This year, we were able to award over $16,000 in scholarship funds to thirteen College of Business students thanks to their generosity,” said Director of Development Catherine Rider.

Several of those students wanted to share their gratitude for Kole’s support and the difference it has made in their lives, including healthcare administration student, Maya Tillotson. Tillotson is a first-generation college student who was raised by a single mother of five. “She has worked so hard for us her entire life and I wanted to do right by her and earn my degree,” said Tillotson. “Through this scholarship, I have been able to do that.” For Tillotson and the other scholarship recipients, the Kole scholarships have made it possible for them to focus more closely on their academic success rather than working more hours to afford their education.

“This scholarship has helped me to stay motivated and focus on my studies more than ever,” said finance and management student Saugat Shrestha, who comes to Idaho State from Nepal and has been able to maintain a 4.0 grade point average. Shrestha explained that in Nepal, free public education was not available to him. “It was really hard for my parents to pay for my education.” Shrestha’s parents were unable to pay for his secondary education, so earning scholarships has been essential for him to earn his degree.

Nancy and Peter’s scholarships have also made a huge difference this year in the education of Jaxon Chapman, an economics and finance major, and Amber Phillips, an accounting major. For Chapman, adapting to a college atmosphere was challenging. “I didn’t feel prepared for college and working while going to school has been difficult.” Chapman said that thanks to scholarships like the one he received from Kole; he has remained debt free thus far.

“Scholarships like this one have also helped me to inspire my friends that are hesitant to go to school because of the cost. Now they see that if you earn scholarships then it is doable,” said Chapman.

Phillips, who grew up in Meridian, began her educational journey out of stateand decided to transfer to Idaho State. “This scholarship has really helped meto regain some of the finances I lost,”said Phillips. “It has also made gradschool more obtainable.” Phillips saidshe plans on entering the Master ofAccountancy program and becoming aCertified Public Accountant.

Each of these students noted that Kole’s generosity and the impact of hisscholarships have inspired them to return the favor to future Bengals oncethey have the means to do so.

Kole has dedicated each of his scholarships to individuals in the College, University or his personal life that have had an impact on himself or others. In 1999, Kole and Nancy established the Junius Larsen Scholarship Endowment in recognition of the chemistry professor’s dedication and kindness to his students. Larsen began teaching at Idaho State in 1928 when it was known as the University of Idaho, Southern Branch.

Other dedications have included Danny and Pauline Thiros and Klime andAthina Kole. Pauline is the University’s athletics director, and Klime and Athinaare Kole’s parents, who immigrated to the United States from Albania whenPeter was just a year old.

Kole has also dedicated scholarships to past College of Business professors:

Frank Lane, Dr. Ken Smith, Dr. WilliamStratton and Dr. Frank Seelye (1963– 1968 dean of the College andan instrumental leader in securingfunding for the business building).

The College of Business is not the onlyone to be honored by Kole’s generosity and support. Kole has established andfunded other scholarships on campus in both the College of Education and theAthletics Department.

Kole graduated from the College of Business in 1963. Before recently retiring, he owned and ran Paramount Metal Products in Cleveland, Ohio for over 40 years. Kole’s success and support of the University has led to his selection as a past recipient of the Idaho State University College of Business Professional Achievement Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award and an Honorary Doctorate.