News Release

April 4, 2007


Nancy Napier Named First Ada Burke Endowed Fellow in Boise State College of Business and Economics

 

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Nancy Napier, a professor of international business, has been named Boise State University’s first recipient of the Ada Burke Endowed Fellowship.

Boise Junior College alum John Elorriaga and his wife, Lois, established the fellowship in the College of Business and Economics fall 2006 to honor Burke, who served as the dean of women at Boise Junior College from 1940-1955.

Recipients for the fellowship must demonstrate exemplary teaching, active involvement with the business community that supports the mission of the College of Business and Economics, and nationally or internationally recognized research. Napier will hold the honor for three years.

“Nancy’s record stood out due to her uniformly exceptional performance across teaching, research and service, as well as her emphasis on innovation and creativity,” said Howard Smith, executive dean for the College of Business and Economics.

Napier is also executive director of the new Centre for Creativity and Innovation (formerly the Global Business Consortium) at Boise State. The Centre’s focus is on how creativity and innovation can enhance economic vitality in organizations and communities. Her recent research has examined creativity in local organizations, including the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, ProClarity (now Microsoft), the Boise State Football Program, and Healthwise.

Elorriaga said there were several professors who influenced him during his time at BJC and were instrumental in his success, including Burke. Elorriaga went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Oregon, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and to study at the University of Washington Pacific Coast Banking School. He retired from US Bank as chairman and CEO in 1988 but still has an office in Portland.

The Ada Burke Endowed Fellowship was one of a number of large gifts to the College of Business and Economics in recent months. Most notable was a $12.5 million gift from the Micron Technology Foundation toward a new business building at Boise State.

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Contact: Howard Smith, University Advancement, (208) 426-3276, howardsmith@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Sherry Squires, University Communications, (208) 426-1563, ssquires@boisestate.edu

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Last reviewed on Tuesday, May 01, 2007