Strengthening a University for Next Generations of Students
Thursday, October 9 2008
Oct. 9, 2008 Written by Cheryl Haas and Tania Thompson Buie-Stoddard Co-Founder Gives Leadership Gift to University of Idaho MOSCOW, Idaho – Jeff Stoddard’s favorite professor at the University of Idaho gave sound advice: plan ahead, aim high and invest in a solid foundation. Stoddard followed that advice for his education, his philanthropy and his life. Recently, he and his wife, Kris, presented the University of Idaho with a $1 million leadership gift to create the Jeff and Kristine Stoddard Distinguished Teaching Scholar Endowment in the College of Business and Economics and to support renovation of the institution’s ASUI-Kibbie Activity Center. “I spent some of the best years of my life at the University of Idaho, and I have a strong emotional connection to the place,” Stoddard said. “However, with financial support from the state lacking, the only way the university can maintain its academic standing is with significant financial assistance from its friends and alums.” The faculty endowment in the College of Business and Economics will help attract and retain top-notch faculty. “Faculty members define a college and the best have profound impacts on their students,” said Jack Morris, dean of the college. “Jeff and Kris personify the values that our faculty members hope to instill in each and every one of our graduates – entrepreneurial spirit, integrity and a sense of commitment.” After graduating with bachelor’s degrees from Idaho in 1975 and 1976, and with a master’s of business administration degree from Harvard University in 1978, Stoddard then started his career in Chicago in commercial banking. In 1983, he became a founding partner of the Buie Corporation, a real estate development company. Now known as the Buie-Stoddard Group, the company specializes in developing commercial properties and residential communities in southern California with offices in San Diego and Laguna Niguel. University of Idaho accounting professor Hal Jones gave Stoddard a framework for success that still has an impact today by encouraging him to invest in a solid foundation. “He saw what I was doing in school and told me I might want to consider Harvard Business School. Well, at that time, Harvard just wasn’t on my radar, but he helped me believe that I might be admitted,” Stoddard recalled. In addition to support for academic excellence at the University of Idaho, Stoddard is an avid Vandal athletics supporter and was co-founder of the university’s Quarterback Club that raises additional money for the university’s athletics program. “I am tremendously excited about the Stoddards’ leadership gift because it indicates that Jeff believes in the vision we have for our athletic program,” said Rob Spear, director of athletics. “When Jeff Stoddard shows support and commitment to a project, those projects become successful.” Stoddard met Kristine at the University of Idaho during his freshman year and they have been married for 30 years. They have three children. # # # About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Contact: Tania Thompson, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, taniat@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
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.