News Release

August 22, 2007

Boise State Announces 'Destination Distinction' Comprehensive Campaign to Raise $175 Million

Boise State University launched its 75-year anniversary celebration with the announcement of a campaign to raise $175 million in private support for the university. Titled “Destination Distinction: The Campaign for Boise State University,” the campaign’s aim is to strengthen Boise State’s current reputation as an excellent undergraduate teaching university while also helping it transform itself into a metropolitan research university of distinction, with a campus that includes state-of-the-art buildings and facilities, professors engaged in relevant research and creative scholarship, enhanced undergraduate opportunities, and new graduate and Ph.D. programs.

“Boise State has long been regarded as a driving force for education in Southwest Idaho,” said Boise State President Bob Kustra, “but we cannot afford to rest on our excellent reputation. The needs of our students and the community we serve are changing, and Boise State must change with it in order to not only meet the increased needs of Idaho residents, but those of the Northwest region and beyond.”

Kustra noted that the first comprehensive campaign in Boise State history reflects the critical need for private support in the university’s quest for distinction. “This campaign will help advance Boise State’s academic and athletic excellence through strategic investment in its people, programs and facilities,” he said.

Today’s announcement, made at President Kustra’s annual State of the University address, marked the launch of the public phase of the seven-year campaign. In its three-year silent phase that began July 1, 2004, more than $70 million was committed to Boise State. This is the first comprehensive campaign in Boise State history; its $175 million goal will be Idaho’s largest in higher education. The previous highest campaign raised more than $152 million for Idaho State University. That campaign ended in 2004.

The campaign is focused on enhancing the university’s ability to serve the state through partnerships that contribute to regional growth and development; integrate research and teaching into high-quality programs; provide a center for cultural and intellectual exchange; and create a research culture defined by exceptional scholarship and quality graduate programs.

To achieve these goals, funds will be raised in four areas:
• Student support — $37 million for endowed scholarships and assistantships, residential life programs and library resources
• Faculty support — $26 million for endowed faculty positions and research support
• Direct academic support — $43 million for new doctoral and master’s programs, new and expanded research centers, K-12 partnership programs, public policy centers and support for a community college
• Facilities — $69 million for College of Business and Economics building, Bronco Stadium expansion, Alumni Center building and health care education labs and facility
Additionally, a goal of $10 million has been established for future bequests and expectancies. The longer-term timing of these commitments leads to them being recorded separately from other gifts in support of the campaign.

The Destination Distinction campaign is based on needs articulated in the university’s recent campus master plan and in its strategic plan. Both recognize a growing number of needs, and the continuing drop in state aid as a percentage of annual budget.

“A comprehensive campaign such as Destination Distinction is about more than just providing scholarships or building new facilities,” said Howard Smith, vice president for advancement. “It is a means by which supporters of Boise State can create opportunities for future students while also strengthening vital partnerships between the campus and the community.”

Early leadership gifts have allowed the university to make a number of strides toward its goal, including construction of the Caven-Williams Sports Complex, creation of the Langroise Family Distinguished Student Endowed Scholarship Fund for National Merit Scholars, establishment of endowed chairs in the departments of biology and nursing, planning for new buildings for the College of Business and Economics and the Department of Nursing, and more.

“A successful campaign is essential if Boise State is going to continue to be recognized as an outstanding educational institution and be propelled toward its goal of serving the public as a metropolitan research university,” said Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron Technology who is co-chair of the campaign committee and a Boise State alumnus. “Public-private partnerships are vital to providing the resources needed to make this vision a reality.

Appleton and Allen Dykman, founder of Dykman’s Electric and also an alumnus, co-chair a committee that includes Larry Arguinchona, Greg Brown, David Cooper, John Elloriaga, Bill Glynn, Doyle Heaton, Bill Ilett, John Jackson, Jim Kissler, Velma Morrison, Debra Riedel, Kirk Smith, Duane Stueckle and Larry Williams.

For more information on the campaign, visit http://foundation.boisestate.edu/campaign or call (208) 426-3276 or toll free at 1-800-341-6150.

Contact: Rika Clement, associate vice president of University Advancement, (208) 426-3276, rikaclement@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@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
 

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Last reviewed on Monday, August 27, 2007