News Release

January 19, 2007

Boise State Receives $12.5 Million Donation from Micron Technology Foundation

The Micron Technology Foundation and Boise State University announced today a $12.5 million gift to help fund a new state-of-the-art building for the College of Business and Economics.

The proposed building will be located at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and University Drive and will serve as a gateway to the university from the west. Current budget projections are for a total project cost of $31 million.

“Boise State University has been a great partner in education, helping Micron and others achieve success through the success of its faculty and students,” said Steve Appleton, Micron chairman, CEO and president. “Boise State is an institution that continues to increase its contributions to the community, the state of Idaho and the nation. We are pleased to participate in the university’s efforts to again reach new levels of excellence.”

The university announced the location of the new business building in June when it purchased the University Inn, currently located at the planned site, for $3.2 million. The university plans to seek approval for the project from the State Board of Education early this year. Pending approval and success in raising additional funds, construction could begin as early as spring 2008. The Micron gift includes $5 million in matching funds for additional donations to the business building.

“We are delighted by Micron’s generosity in helping us achieve our goals,” said Boise State President Bob Kustra. “A new building to house the College of Business and Economics is a top priority for the university. A state-of-the-art facility is essential in order for us to continue to meet the needs of today’s business environment, and will not only help retain our excellent faculty, but will help attract the best and brightest new faculty in the coming years.”

“Micron is strongly committed to investing in the future of education and in institutions, like Boise State, that support a spirit of innovation and execution,” said Dee Mooney, Micron Foundation’s executive director.

Final programming and detailed design for the building will begin in earnest upon State Board of Education approval. It is expected that in addition to modern instructional facilities, the building will include a high-tech financial trading center where students are exposed to the latest practices in money management; a center for student services; a center for economic development; and a center for innovation. Prominent public spaces where students, faculty, business leaders and government
officials can interact are also envisioned. The building will be a significant undertaking for the campus, according to James Maguire, associate vice president for campus planning and facilities. Given its prominent location, it will become both a landmark in the city landscape and an icon for the university, he said.

“This impressive lead gift from Micron is essential to building one of the Northwest’s premier accredited business schools,” said Howard Smith, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “It will greatly enhance our ability to deliver first-rate undergraduate, graduate and executive programs. When all is said and done, Micron’s investment not only uplifts the college and Boise State University but also the greater Idaho community.”

Student enrollment in business programs has grown from 1,000 business majors in 1970, when the current business building opened, to nearly 3,000 students. Some existing classrooms have been retrofitted with the latest technology, but continuing to train a growing number of students will require a new facility, Smith said.

Micron and its associated foundation also provide scholarships for outstanding students and have made other monetary, outreach and equipment donations to numerous institutions over the years. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Micron has more than 20,000 employees around the globe.

The Boise State University Foundation, the fundraising arm of the university, has intensified efforts to find resources for the business building and a variety of other efforts under way at the university.

“This raises the bar for all of us at the Foundation,” said Rika Clement, acting vice president for University Advancement.

The Micron Technology Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit organization established in 1999 with a gift from Micron Technology, Inc., is engaged in funding educational efforts and charitable activities. To learn more about the Micron Technology Foundation, visit its Web site at www.micron.com/foundation.

Micron Technology, Inc., is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced semiconductor solutions. Micron is changing the way we experience the world through its innovative semiconductor solutions that capture, move, and store data. From capturing that perfect moment with its CMOS imaging, to moving system data quickly and efficiently with its DRAM technology, to storing valuable information with its NAND portfolio, Micron is at the forefront of digital innovation. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc., visit its Web site at www.micron.com.

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Media Contact: Frank Zang, Communications and Marketing, (208) 426-5391, frankzang@boisestate.edu; Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu; Jill Thompson, Micron Media Relations, (208) 368-5749, jtthompson@micron.com

We’re proud to be the home of the undefeated, Fiesta Bowl champion Broncos, the national champion student speech and debate team, and the nation’s 12th-ranked engineering program among public, comprehensive universities.

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Last reviewed on Tuesday, February 27, 2007