November 9, 2004

Velma Morrison Named As Honorary Lifetime Member of Boise State Association

Incoming Boise State Foundation board president Debra Riedel, left, and outgoing board president Allen Dykeman helped recognize Velma Morrison for her dedication and service. click the image above for a full sized view The Boise State University Alumni Association has named Velma V. Morrison an Honorary Lifetime Member in recognition of her many years of service to higher education and to Boise State. Morrison received the award last week at a meeting of the Boise State Foundation, on whose board she served.   “Our membership is strengthened with the addition of one of Boise State’s most dedicated and generous friends, Velma Morrison,” said Lee Denker, executive director of the Boise State Alumni Association. “Mrs. Morrison treats Boise State as if it were her own alma mater, and for that we are pleased to recognize her as an honorary lifetime member.”   The honorary membership award recognizes individuals who are not Boise State alumni but whose actions bring honor to Boise State, its alumni, students, faculty and staff through significant contributions to the university, Alumni Association or Idaho higher education in general.   Morrison has led numerous service and philanthropic activities benefiting humanitarian causes, medicine and the arts. On the Boise State campus the Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts and the Harry W. Morrison Engineering Building are just two of her many gifts to the Treasure Valley community through the Harry W. Morrison Family Foundation Inc.   Morrison, who has been listed in Who’s Who of American Women, has earned numerous honors recognizing her achievements as a businesswoman and community leader. She was awarded the St. Luke’s Light of Philanthropy Award, honorary doctors of law degrees from Pepperdine University and Albertson College of Idaho, an honorary doctor of letters degree from Gonzaga University, the Silver Medallion from Boise State, the Idaho Governor’s Award for Support of the Arts, induction into the Morrison Center Halll of Fame, and numerous other distinctions.   The Boise State Alumni Association is a membership-based organization that sponsors numerous programs and events that enrich the Boise State experience for students, alumni and friends of the university. Activities include the biennial auction, the annual graduation celebration picnic, Bronco football tailgate parties, arts events, scholarships and awards honoring high-achieving students and alumni. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit alumni.boisestate.edu or call Denker at (208) 426-1698.   -30-   Contact:  CONTACT _Con-42F90CC6102 \c \s \l Lee Denker, Alumni Association, (208) 426-1698, ldenker@boisestate.edu                                                              Media Contact: Pat Pyke, communications and marketing, (208) 426-1987, ppyke@boisestate.edu