Moscow Cattleman, Ag Leader Donates $100,000 to Vandal Athletic Center
Wednesday, August 15 2001
August 15, 2001^MOSCOW – Gerry Hagedorn, a Moscow native and longtime Palouse farmer and cattleman, has given $100,000 to the University of Idaho’s Vandal Athletic Center. ^“Gerry Hagedorn is a dedicated community and agricultural leader, and a long-time supporter of UI athletic programs,” said Mike Bohn, UI director of athletics. “It’s an honor for the university to receive this remarkable gift.”^Hagedorn’s gift will recognize former UI track Coach Mike Ryan by naming the track and field office in the new Vandal Athletic Center after him. Ryan, who taught Hagedorn to throw the discus and javelin, had a huge impact on him. “Without Mike Ryan’s coaching, I wouldn’t have accomplished what I did,” he says. ^The Vandal Athletic Center will provide essential space benefiting men’s and women’s programs including a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center, and academic support/computer lab, a multimedia learning center and a Vandal Hall of Fame.^Hagedorn was born in 1923 in the old Gritman Hospital; Dr. Gritman served as the attending physician. He was raised both on a large farm near the Moscow-Pullman Airport, and “in town.” ^He attended Moscow public schools, and while at Moscow Senior High, lettered in football and basketball twice, and in track three times. He could have graduated from high school in 1940, but stayed on for an additional year to play football, only to blow out his knee during a game against Lewiston High School.^Upon graduation, he enrolled at UI and became an active participant in campus life. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, served as the sophomore class vice president and was a member of the Vandaleers. His athletic talents carried from high school to college where he played basketball under the coaching of Babe Brown and ran track for Coach Ryan. ^In addition to his love of athletics, Hagedorn had a passion for architecture. He studied architecture until he returned to home to take over the family farm from his father. In 1943, he left the farm for two years when he joined the military as an enlisted officer in the Army Air Force and served as a pilot during WWII.^Hagedorn, and his first wife, Margaret (Finch; deceased 1983), resided on the farm, with their daughter Harriot. He began his cattle business with two cows, two calves and a borrowed bull. From that modest start, he built a career that included operation of the Rainbow Ranches in Kendrick and Deary. He became a widely recognized expert in the cattle industry. ^He served on several local and national organizations including as chair of the agriculture committee for the Moscow Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors for Crites-Moscow Growers, Inc., and the National Board of Directors of the Polled Hereford Association, overseeing activity in four western states, including Idaho. He judged cattle at county and state fairs throughout the U.S. In addition to his agriculture and cattle contributions, Hagedorn also served as the soil conservation supervisor, and as the secretary/treasurer for the Washington state soil conservation association. Hagedorn was dedicated to bringing the community and agriculture together, and taught short courses at UI about the Polled Hereford cattle breed.^His love for the UI started early, when he remembers his father helping dig the foundation for the second Administration Building, and put in the track at Neal Stadium. Throughout the years, Hagedorn has kept that same dedication to the university, not only in agriculture, but in athletics too, as a member of Vandal Boosters, Inc. since 1967.^His second wife, Margaret (Stillinger; deceased 2001) shared his enthusiasm and support of the university. As avid fans, they enjoyed attending Vandal sporting events together. ^The Hagedorn gift is part of The Campaign for Idaho, a $100 million, multi-year fundraising campaign aimed at supporting the UI’s strategic initiatives.^CONTACTS: Mike Bohn, UI director of athletics, (208) 885-0213, mbohn@uidaho.edu; Caroline Nilsson-Troy, director of The Campaign for Idaho, (208) 885-7069, cnilsson@uidaho.edu; Jim Senter, associate athletic director for development, (208) 885-0221, jsenter@uidaho.edu; or Kathy Barnard, University Communications and Marketing, (208) 885-6291, kbarnard@uidaho.edu ^^-30-krb—8/17/01UIA==^
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The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.