February 23, 2005 Boise State Names Washington State's Rick Frisch As Vice President for University Advancement

Boise State University has named Rick Frisch, president of the Washington State University Foundation and WSU’s vice president for university development, as its new vice president for university advancement.   A former Boise resident, Frisch has worked as Washington State’s chief fund raiser since May 2002. Prior to joining WSU he served as interim president of the University of Hawaii Foundation from 2001 to 2002 and at the University of Arizona from 1994 to 2001. At Arizona Frisch served as executive director of Campaign Arizona, a university wide fund-raising initiative that functioned under the auspices of the University of Arizona Foundation, and as associate director of development.   “I am confident that Rick Frisch is not only the best qualified candidate for the position, but that he is also uniquely qualified to provide leadership for the Office of University Advancement at this critical time in Boise State’s history,” said Dr. Bob Kustra, president of Boise State University. “I believe it is time for Boise State to prepare for a comprehensive campaign that will provide significant support for programs, buildings and scholarships. Rick’s experience is critical to our preparation for such a campaign and I look forward to working closely with him to accomplish our fund-raising goals.”   Frisch’s appointment is pending approval by the State Board of Education. He replaces Rick Smith, who stepped down as Boise State vice president of university advancement last July to become national executive director of the American Youth Soccer Organization. Mark Dunham, Boise State’s director of government relations, has served as interim vice president for university advancement since Smith’s departure.   Frisch, 51, grew up in Boise, graduated from Boise High School in 1971 and attended Boise State during the 1971-72 academic year. Following his freshman year at BSU, he joined the nonprofit educational organization Up with People in July 1972, serving in a variety of capacities — eventually ascending to director of North American marketing and director of corporate and foundation relations — through 1982. In 1988 he rejoined Up with People as vice president-external relations, serving in that capacity until 1994 when he joined the University of Arizona, where he earned a bachelor of business degree in marketing in 1995, graduating magna cum laude. All told, Frisch has worked in various areas of the development field for more than 30 years.   In addition to his jobs at Washington State, Hawaii and Arizona, he worked as director of major gifts at the University of Southern California from 1986 to 1988 and director of development at Chaminade University of Honolulu from 1983 to 1986.   As vice president for university advancement, Frisch will serve as Boise State’s chief fund raiser and oversee the Office of Development, Alumni Association and the BSU Foundation.   Frisch’s parents and four of his five siblings reside in Boise. He and his wife, Tamra, have three children, Greg, 19, and twins Elizabeth and Elliot, 6.   “Our move to Boise accomplishes a whole variety of professional and personal opportunities,” Frisch said. “My family and I are very excited about the chance to reconnect with Boise State University and the Boise community.”   He is scheduled to begin his duties at Boise State in mid- to late April.   -30-   Media Contact: Frank Zang, University Communications and Marketing, (208) 426-5391, frankzang@boisestate.edu