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News Release
July 19, 2007
Boise State Awards 'Extreme Makeover' Dad Full Scholarship as
Part of Community Gifts
As part of the contributions from various community groups to Ryan and Karia
Stockdale and their young family, Boise State announced today that it has
awarded Ryan Stockdale, a sophomore at BSU, a full scholarship for the
remainder of his time as an undergraduate at the university.
The couple and their four children, ages 2 to 6, have been in the spotlight
since last week when it was announced that they were selected to be featured
on ABC TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” During the past week, the
“Extreme Makeover” crew and local volunteers transformed the Stockdale’s old
house into a dream home in just seven days. In addition to a variety of
illnesses, all four of the Stockdale children suffer from a rare white blood
cell disease called eosinophilic esophagitis. EE attacks proteins,
preventing the ingestion and digestion of food. It can also cause disease of
the lungs, kidneys, blood, intestines and immune system. The condition of
the family’s old home jeopardized the children’s health.
Ryan Stockdale received the scholarship earlier today from Michael Laliberte,
Boise State’s vice president for student affairs, during a news conference
at the site of the family’s new home near Middleton. In addition to their
new home and Ryan Stockdale’s scholarship, the family received a number of
other gifts from Boise-area groups and businesses.
“At Boise State University, we are proud to have Ryan as a member of our
student body,” Laliberte said at the news conference. “We heard the story of
your dedication to your family, that included you working 40 hours a week,
as well as being a full-time student studying biology in the hopes of one
day finding a cure for your children’s illness,” “And you did all this while
maintaining an honorable grade-point average and remaining active in your
community. We recognize the values you hold dear when it comes to family
members and your commitment as a head of that family. These are the values
that Boise Sate University also shares with you. And when we saw a member of
our family in desperate need, we came together to create a way to lessen
your burden.”
The scholarship covers Stockdale’s tuition, fees and books until he earns
his bachelor’s degree at Boise State. In addition, Boise State held a toy
and book drive for the family and delivered a number of new toys and books
for the Stockdale children earlier this week. “A producer of the show let us
know that they would make sure the toys made it into the children’s new
playroom,” said Melinda Butkus, assistant director of the Children’s Center
and one of the organizers of the drive.
On Tuesday of this week, a contingent of Bronco football players helped put
the finishing touches on the new home. Led by academic counselors Valerie
Cleary and Chelsea Herman, 11 members of the Bronco football team helped
move furniture, worked with the other volunteers and mingled with
spectators.
The “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” episode on the Stockdales will air on
ABC during the 2007-2008 season. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” has won
back-to-back Emmy Awards for Best Reality Program (non-competitive) and is
in its fifth season. The show, which has contributed to the construction of
more than 90 homes, airs Sundays at 7 p.m.
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Contact: Michael Laliberte, Student Affairs, (208) 426-1418,
michaellaliberte@boisestate.edu
Media contact: Bob Evancho, University Communications, (208)
426-1643, bevanch@boisestate.edu
Boise State University celebrates its 75th anniversary this fall. From
its founding on Sept. 6, 1932, the institution has evolved from a small
church-sponsored college in a downtown schoolhouse to a metropolitan
research university of distinction with about 19,000 students. Visit
boisestate.edu and click on the “75” button for more information.
The Office of Communications and Marketing - Boise State
University
1910 University Drive - Boise Idaho 83725-1030
Located in Capitol Village, 2225 W. University Drive
208-426-1577
(fax)208-426-4001
email
communications@boisestate.edu
Last reviewed on
Thursday, July 19, 2007
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