September 16, 2004

BLUE CROSS FOUNDATION DONATES FUNDS FOR ENDOWED NURSING SCHOLARSHIP AT BOISE STATE

Keeping with its mission of promoting health and wellness, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health donated $7,500 today for an endowed nursing scholarship at Boise State University. The donation will be matched with $2,500 from the Boise Industrial Foundation fund to create the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health Nursing Scholarship. The Blue Cross Foundation made the donation as part of the ongoing Campaign for Students at Boise State. "We recognize the important role nurses play in the delivery of quality health care and are pleased to support BSUšs outstanding program by creating this endowed scholarship for nursing students," said Gary Dyer, vice chairman for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. "Since its inception in 2001, our Foundation has been involved with programs that positively impact the health and wellness of all Idaho residents, and supporting the BSU Nursing Department is a perfect match in terms of meeting that mission." Dyer is also chair of Boise State Friends of Nursing, a volunteer organization that supports nursing education through scholarships, research grants and other means. "We are indebted to the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for their generous support for students. This gift, in the form of an endowed scholarship, will continue to realize a benefit to the community both now and into the future," said James Girvan, dean of the College of Health Sciences at Boise State. Boise Statešs nursing education program is the largest in the state of Idaho with 525 current students. The mission of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is to promote and encourage the health and wellness of all Idaho residents. Contact: Jennifer Neil, BSU Foundation, (208) 426-2927, jenniferneil1@boisestate.edu  Media Contacts: Pat Pyke, communications and marketing, (208) 426-1987, ppyke@boisestate.edu  Tod McKay, Blue Cross of Idaho, (208) 331-7465, TMcKay@bcidaho.com