From the President

From the moment I first learned about The College of Idaho, I heard repeatedly about the extraordinary and unique relationship that exists between the faculty and students and how that relationship has shaped lives for generations. I must say that I was skeptical of such praise in the beginning, because we in higher education say a lot of things about our institutions to attract students, public visibility and alumni support. But I could not remain skeptical for long.

My youngest daughter Suzanne graduated from the College a few years ago, and her experience here changed her life. Suzanne had struggled in her high school studies and was unsure about her future goals. In Suzanne’s first few months at the College, she told her mother and me over and over again about the close-knit community of friends she was making and her professors’ interest in her education and success. As someone with more than 30 years of experience in large, public higher education institutions, I knew it was rare to hear an undergraduate student speak of a personal educational experience, and it was equally rare to hear my daughter so enthusiastic about education.

In her four years at the College, Suzanne gained lifelong friends, a network of professors she could rely on for professional advice, and the self confidence that comes from having the knowledge and experience to pursue her goals. Her enthusiasm about education continued well past her first few months at the College and she is now a teacher herself.

As president of the College, I know Suzanne’s experience is not unique. I have worked with our talented faculty for five years and have watched their broad knowledge of their subjects, their skill at communicating that knowledge, and their dedication to our students.

Talk to anyone who has graduated from The C of I and you will hear stories of students who discovered their passions and grew into successful adults with diverse experiences during their time here. We have gathered some of these stories on this website and I encourage you to read them and share your own. I have always believed that the stories people tell about themselves and their experiences reveal the culture and traditions of an institution.

One such student is Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, German Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Scharioth was a Rotary Scholar at the College in 1965 where he met Political Science Professor George V. Wolfe. Scharioth took all five of Wolfe’s classes during his time at the College and the two formed a friendship that lasted until Wolfe’s death in 1990.

Last year, Ambassador Scharioth served as honorary fundraising chairman for the George V. Wolfe Endowed Scholarship. In the end, the George V. Wolfe Endowed Scholarship raised approximately $12,000 more than its original goal from nearly 90 donors, bringing the fair market value to approximately $108,000.

The scholarship is important to Ambassador Scharioth for two reasons – first because it honors his lifelong friend and mentor, and second because it provides an opportunity for future students at The College of Idaho to have the same enriching experience he did.

Scharioth’s generosity and willingness to help the College are traits we see in so many of our alumni. As a private institution, every scholarship, every facility and every professor’s salary is paid for by the generosity of our donors and the tuition of students. If you are an alumni or friend of the College, you know what a special place this is. It is crucial for us to continue to provide our excellent, personalized education in this close-knit community to the next generation of students. We also need to provide new opportunities for our current students and faculty, and modernize some of our buildings. With that in mind, I invite you to support Invest in Excellence, The College of Idaho’s 10-year, $175 million comprehensive campaign.

Sincerely,

Bob Hoover
President
The College of Idaho