UI 109TH COMMENCEMENT MAY 15
Thursday, April 22 2004
April 22, 2004^^Moscow/Coeur d’Alene/Boise/Idaho Falls -- As many as 1,700 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees may be conferred at four University of Idaho commencement ceremonies May 6 in Idaho Falls; May 8 at Boise; May 10 in Coeur d’Alene; and May 15 in Moscow.^The Moscow plenary ceremony is at 9 a.m., preceded by an academic processional from the Administration Building to the Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center led by the Border Highlanders Pipes and Drums. Separate college ceremonies follow at 11 a.m. for engineering, natural resources, letters, arts, social sciences and general studies; at 1:30 p.m. for agricultural-life sciences, law, business and economics; and at 4 p.m. for science and education.^Plenary speaker is Sharon Allen of Los Angeles, Calif., an accounting alumna from the 1970s and a leader in corporate America. She was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in 2003 by Accounting Today. She will speak about leadership and responsibility.^Allen also is one of five who will receive honorary doctorate degrees for outstanding citizenship and leadership. She is chairman of the board of directors of Deloitte & Touche, where she has had a 30-plus-year career. Her civic life includes board membership on many Los Angeles-area and national charities, colleges and business organizations.^Others to receive honorary degrees are:^Robert W. Halliday, Boise, an Army veteran who earned seven Purple Hearts, CPA and former financial executive for Boise Cascade, a founder of Princess Cruises and many other enterprises. He also sits on various corporate and charitable boards. He is particularly devoted to higher education support through the Halliday Foundation.^Scott R. Simplot, Boise, chairman of the board of the J. R. Simplot Co., a leading agribusiness company for potatoes, turf grass and cattle. He has shepherded science-based research and technology and joint industry projects with higher education. He also is a founding member of Micron Technology's board of directors. He has volunteered with Boise's Chamber of Commerce, the Salvation Army and the Idaho Food Bank.^Karen Stedtfeld Offen, Woodside, Calif., historian, scholar and authority on women's history, cross-cultural roles and European and American feminism, has dedicated her career to making women’s history essential to the historical record. Over three decades, she has documented unknown achievements by women, given international women's history more substance, and revealed accomplishments of European women emerging from behind the Iron Curtain.^James E. Rogers, Las Vegas, Nev., is a champion of excellence in higher education and helps shape legal and other education by funding faculty and student incentives, libraries and law schools, athletic and music programs and more. Time Magazine listed him among the country's top 12 philanthropists. He endorses "public trusteeship of educational excellence."^A reception at the president's residence is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. after the plenary ceremony to thank Gary Michael for his volunteer role as UI president since last July. Michael also will receive the UI Alumni Association Distinguished Idahoan Award, recognized at both Boise and Moscow ceremonies, for rendering extraordinary service to the state of Idaho and the UI. At the urging of the governor and the State Board of Education, Michael set aside retirement as the former CEO of Albertson, Inc. and became interim UI president without compensation.^Earlier statewide centers commencements and honorees are:^UI Idaho Falls -- Thursday, May 6, 7:30 p.m., Willard Performing Arts Center: Speaker is John D. Hansen, lawyer, former state senator, civic leader and advocate for education, community mental health, Boy Scouts, United Way, historical society, Idaho Heritage Trust, and Rotary International. The President's Medallion will be awarded to Ray W. Rigby, Rexburg attorney, rancher, former state senator, and expert in water, rural electrification laws and power issues.^UI Boise -- Saturday, May 8, 3 p.m., Boise Centre on the Grove: Speaker is Carolyn Terteling-Payne, who also will receive the President's Medallion. As interim Boise mayor and Idaho native, her civic commitment includes such institutions as the public library, art museum, historic preservation, performing arts, Junior League, Idaho Law Foundation, zoological society, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center and the Warm Springs Counseling Center. Another President's Medallion will be awarded posthumously to the late Robert H. LeBow of Nampa. The former medical director at Terry Reilly Health Services, a low-income clinic, dedicated his career to serving uninsured and under-served people in southern Idaho and beyond through Peace Corps missions.^UI Coeur d’Alene -- Monday, May 10, 7:30 p.m., North Idaho College Auditorium: Speaker is David J. Matheson from Worley, CEO of the Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort Hotel, member of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe who launched and made profitable the existing casino, resort hotel and 18-hole golf course. A President's Medallion will be awarded to Judith C. Meyer, Hayden resident, higher education advocate and former president of the State Board of Education who helped develop the Northern Idaho Center for Higher Education.^Also recognized for achievements of distinction at UI commencements will be the May 14 inductees into UI's Alumni Hall of Fame: James Hawkins, Boise; Reginald Reeves, Ketchum/Idaho Falls; Robert Cowan, Richland, Wash.; and Albert Franzmann, Soldotna, Alaska.^^CONTACTS: Reta Pikowsky, UI Registrar, (208) 885-2020, retap@uidaho.edu or Nancy Hilliard, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, hilliard@uidaho.edu^Photos/Bios for honorary degree and medallion recipients, speakers and inspiring graduates can be found at www.uidaho.edu/commencement; speaker Sharon Allen is not scheduled for a media availability, but is reachable for questions at shaallen@deloitte.com^^-30-NH-4/22/04-STS/ADM^
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.