Charles Ruch, president of
Boise State University and Bethine Church, widow of former
U.S. Sen. Frank Church, today announced the formation of the
Frank Church Institute at Boise State. The new institute will
encompass the work of the Frank Church Chair of Public
Affairs, the annual Church Conferences and proposed Church
scholarships at Boise State.
“This year marks the 20th
anniversary of the conferences held in Frank’s name on a
variety of public policy issues,” Bethine Church said. “Looking
ahead, I have been working to expand the horizons of the Chair
and to maintain continuity in the future. I’m delighted that
the new Frank Church Institute will make sure this happens.”
Welcoming the announcement of
the new Institute at Boise State, Ruch said, “Over the
years, the Church Chair has brought together students, faculty
and the community with well-know leaders on the issues of the
day. Boise State will continue to benefit with the new Church
Institute in place.”
Another milestone has been
reached in selecting Dr. Robert Bartlett of Purdue University
as the first Frank Church visiting professor of public
affairs. Bartlett will begin at Boise State this fall
according to Michael Blankenship, dean of the College of
Social Sciences and Public Affairs.
Bethine Church will continue to
chair the board of the new Institute, with Carl Burke as the
president of the nonprofit corporation. The official papers of
Frank Church, who represented Idaho for 24 years in the Senate
and chaired the Foreign Relations Committee, are also housed
at Boise State in the Albertsons Library.
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Boise State communications and marketing
208 426-3275
