ISU Magazine Spring 2014

EXPLORE• Benny’s Pantry fulfills campus need• Digging for data at Reynolds Creek• Alumnus survives harsh reality

Donors enable students to

2 IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. **After that your APR will be 7.50% - 14.75% based on your credit worthiness. This APR will vary with market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to Credit Approval (O.A.C). This card is exclusively through ISU Credit Union in cooperation with Idaho State University Alumni Association.

Carry the Colors &Keep the Tradition

Introductory 0.00% APR* forPurchases & Balance Transfers for 12 months!**

ISU Credit Union is excited to introduce a speciallow-rate MasterCard Platinum credit cardfor the alumni of Idaho State University!

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Spring is an exciting time for our Bengal community. I particularly enjoy congrat-ulating graduates as they prepare to head out into the world, and I am excited to meet our future students during their campus visits.

Our students have nearly infinite possibilities, from professional technical educa-tion to post-doctoral research opportunities. With hundreds of academic offerings to choose from, ISU is ensuring that students achieve their dreams. We are dedicated to meeting the Idaho State Board of Education’s goal that 60 percent of Idahoans ages 25-34 will have a degree or certificate by 2020. You can read about how Idahoans are taking advantage of our extensive breadth of program offerings on page 18.

At ISU, we are committed to keeping college affordable. With rising costs and changing funding sources, tuition increases are inevitable, but our goal is to ensure that higher education is still achievable for all of our bright, driven students. We strive to provide scholarships and financial assistance to help everyone achieve their poten-tial.

This spring, the Idaho State Board of Education approved the University’s request for a 3.5 percent tuition and fee increase, the lowest increase of any of Idaho’s research universities, and the lowest at ISU in 26 years. We understand our students’ financial challenges and have designed our Career Path Internship program to assist them with financing their education.

The Career Path Internship program, now in its third year, offers paid work experi-ence to hundreds of students. I believe students are better able to succeed in the work-force because of this opportunity to work with professionals in their chosen field. This program pays students to work and learn both on campus and out in the community. You can read more about this innovative program on page 13.

As always, I am optimistic about ISU’s future, and I’m thankful for the support you provide to our institution and our students. Thank you for all you do for ISU!

Go Bengals!

Arthur C. Vailas, Ph.D.President, Idaho State University

It’s an Exciting Time for ISU and Idaho

3SPRING 2014

921 South 8th Ave., Stop 8265Pocatello, Idaho 83209-8265(208) 282-3620isu.edu

Dr. Arthur C. VailasPresident

Dr. Kent M. Tingey, ’97Vice President of University Advancement

Dr. Adrienne KingDirector of Marketing and Communications

Comments and [email protected]

Idaho State University Magazine staff Editor Emily FrandsenContributors Levi Christiansen Chris Gabettas Dr. Adrienne King Ross Knight, ’10 Michelle Schraudner, ’14 Stuart Summers, ’10 Andrew TaylorDesign Joey Gifford, ’03Photography Susan Duncan, ’95 Bethany BakerWeb Laird Duncan, ’95

Office of Alumni RelationsK.C. Felt, ’71Director of Alumni Relations(208) 282-3755 [email protected]

Idaho State University FoundationScott TurnerAssociate Vice President for Development(208) [email protected]

PostmasterISU Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of Marketing and Communications at Idaho State University.

Send address changes to the Office of Alumni Relations at 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8033, Pocatello, ID 83209-8033

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Showtime! More than 1,000 elementary school children from Pocatello, American Falls and Lava Hot Springs were treated to matinee performances of “James and the Giant Peach” presented by the Idaho State University School of Performing Arts in March in the Stephens Performing Art Center’s Bistline Theatre. About 800 patrons also attended the musical event during its three-day evening run.Photo by Bethany Baker

On The Cover Doctoral biology student Matt Osborne examines the cells of a healthy mouse brain using a transmission electron microscope. The cover image features a digital collage with the cellular image captured with the microscope in the background.Photo by Susan DuncanComposition by Joey Gifford


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22

The Joey Parker Movement moves from ISU to

national television and around the world

CommUniversity events attract locals and share

ISU programs

20COVER STORY:

Donations lead to major improvements in

students’ research

3 President’s Message6 New football practice field; New marketing director; Safety on

Red Hill7 The BIG Business Competition comes to ISU8 Benny’s Pantry opens for students9 New dance major; Garibaldi earns Fulbright11 Digging for good data at Reynolds Creek12 Back in the pilot’s seat13 The Career Path Internship program draws students16 An alumnus and staff member survives a reality show18 From certificates to doctorates: ISU offers lots to learn24 The Outdoor Adventure Center helps people get outdoors26 International student presence influences ISU28 Professional Achievement and Outstanding Student award

recipients29 Trackings, including an alumnus who went from the courtroom to

the classroom, numerous authors, Washington D.C. connections and an alumnus working his dream job.

5SPRING 2014

Dr. Adrienne King, most recently director of relations and communications at West Virginia University Institute of Technol-ogy, has been named director of the Idaho State University Office of Marketing and Communications.

She began work at ISU on Feb. 18.“King’s energy, educational background, knowledge and experi-

ence in branding, strategic planning and marketing will provide great strength to Idaho State University and its efforts in marketing and communications. We welcome Adrienne, and her husband, Brad, to our community,” said Dr. Kent Tingey, vice president for university advancement,

As director of relations and communications at WVU Tech located in Montgomery, W.Va., King led an award-winning creative team responsible for the institution’s advertising, marketing, public relations, social media and website efforts. She also oversaw the university’s growing alumni relations program.

Prior to working at WVU Tech, King was director of marketing for the University of Charleston in Charleston, W.Va.

King earned her Doctor of Education in educational leadership in higher education administration from West Virginia University. She earned a Master of Science degree in integrated marketing commu-nications from WVU and a bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations and graphic design from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.

“Idaho State University is a distinguished university with an exceptional story to tell. I’m excited to be joining an incredibly talented marketing communications team in sharing the wonderful things happening at ISU,” explained King. “It’s great to be a Bengal.”

After both external and internal studies considering concerns about safety, ISU officials determined that the iconic “I” on Red Hill will be removed and a safety berm will be built concurrently this summer.

A committee of alumni, faculty and staff, community members, ISU students and ISU officials are working on a plan to offer a replacement for the popular icon.

While studying the “I,” the outside engineering firm explored multiple options to remediate the existing structure. However, the firm determined the berm is not suitable to withstand a complete catastrophic failure of the “I,” which could consist of large slabs of concrete falling from the hillside.

“The only reasonable approach to resolving the safety issues on Red Hill is to both remove the ‘I’ and build a berm,” said Phil Moesner, ISU associate vice president of facilities services.

“We are working with our various constituents on developing a plan for the replacement of the structure and the means to generate the resources to construct a replacement icon,” said Dr. Kent Tingey, vice president for university advancement. “With the support of ISU, alumni, the Associated Students of ISU and the community, we are working on a plan to replace this symbol with something equally suitable.”

Anyone with suggestions for the committee can contact them at [email protected].

Holt Arena Gets New Practice Field

The new Idaho Central Credit Union Community Field, part of the Papenberg Sports Complex, opened for athletes this fall.

“This is a big project that will pay dividends for our student-athletes and the community for decades,” athletic director Jeff Tingey said. “The investment that these community members and supporters made was tremendous. You can see what Idaho State and this community mean to them.”

Idaho Central Credit Union was one of the major contribu-tors to the project. Other major contributors included Sylvia Papenberg and her late husband Don “Pappy” Papenberg, Minnesota Vikings player Jared Allen and his wife Amy, the Meador family, Troy and Jamie Bell, D & S Electrical Supply Co., Conrad and Norma Wredberg, Bill and Rosemary Kobus, the 1981 D1-AA National Championship football team, Joseph and Judy Saratore and the Thanks A Million Babe campaign.

King Takes Marketing Helm

Safety Comes First on Red Hill

Bethany Baker

6 IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINEIDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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BIG Business Comes to Idaho StateA simple invention for homeowners to

prevent their washer hoses from bursting, and a gizmo for winding up cords, straps and other items were both winners of the second annual 2014 BIG (Business, Innova-tion and Growth) Competition held this spring at Idaho State University.

In the collegiate track, Brent Singley of Inkom won the $2,000 first prize for his StopFlood Systems invention that takes pressure off washer hoses by regulat-ing flow to hoses outside the washer. The

winner in the community track was Craig Jorgensen of Pocatello for his MultiWinder invention that helps people wind up straps, cords, ropes, cables and more.

The BIG Competition, designed to educate eastern Idaho entrepreneurs, inventors and students about early-stage financing, was sponsored by Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho State University, Grow Idaho Falls, Bannock Development Corporation, the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council and Riverbend

Communications.The contest featured more than $5,000

in prizes for winners in two tracks, colle-giate and community.

Second place in the collegiate track, with a prize of $500, went to Tsunami, a team of ISU students who promoted its idea for creating and marketing wire-less ear-buds with built-in mp3 storage. Students involved in this project were Jacob Hall, Hye Joon Lee, Kolton Woodbury and Michael Hahn.

The Physics Show Ali Chlarson, a sophomore physics major and the secretary of the Society of Physics Students, provides children with a physics demonstration at the Pine Ridge Mall in Chubbuck. The ISU Physics Club offers several events throughout the year.

Bethany Baker

7SPRING 2014

Financial contributions can be

made on campus or online at

isu.edu/foundation and designating

the funds for the pantry.

Each story heard at Benny’s Pantry is unique.

One student said the food assistance she received from the campus pantry was like Christmas. Another was thrilled that he would now be able to afford gas. One student’s story was particularly touching for Brooke Barber, director of the LEAD center, which coordinates the pantry.

“She said it would be her first birthday with a full stomach in a long time,” Barber said.

The brainchild of First Lady Dr. Laura Vailas, a registered dietitian/nutritionist, Benny’s Pantry is a food pantry designed to offer short-term help for members of the ISU community who are suffering from food insecurity.

Since the pantry’s grand opening in January, Barber says, dozens have used the service, and student groups, faculty, staff and local businesses have stepped up to make sure the pantry is full.

“We have been overwhelmed by the stories already,” she said. “It was proof of the need.”

Poverty among college students is often a hidden problem. According to the U.S. Census, 15.2 percent of the nation lives in poverty, but among college students living off campus and not with relatives, the rate jumps to 51.8 percent. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 29 percent of students have incomes below

$20,000 per year, even though 79 percent of students work full or part-time. About 35 percent are parents.

For many students, poverty is a tempo-rary problem as they take classes to gain better employment opportunities. The stress of searching for ways to feed a family can take its toll, however, and Vailas knows that good nutrition is vital for a good learning environment.

“Malnutrition affects the ability to learn,” Vailas said. “The University is a place for education. We don’t want hunger to get in the way of that.”

Vailas said she worries about students, especially those with children, who are struggling to make ends meet while study-

ing to create a better life for their families. “I know very well that parents will

forego meals so their children can eat,” Vailas said.

Short-term economic insecurity shouldn’t be a reason for students to end their education early, she says, and the ISU community wants to make sure our students don’t have to make that choice.

At Benny’s Pantry, students, staff and faculty can receive assistance twice a month. No income records are kept — clients are allowed to shop with the simple swipe of their Bengal cards. On the shelves are canned fruits and vegetables, nutritious boxed food and parenting necessities such as diapers, baby food and formula. The pantry also offers can openers, toiletries and other essentials.

Every effort is made to make sure that food items are nutritious, Vailas said. Dietet-ics students are among the volunteers who staff and manage the pantry, she said, and the pantry will continue to be a source for class projects in the future.

Vailas said the program is designed to provide a short-term solution, which is often all students need.

“It’s not a permanent solution. It’s a stop-gap measure,” she said.

When Vailas mentioned the idea of a food pantry to Dr. Pat Terrell, vice president for student affairs, in the fall, ISU employees immediately began to work on a plan.

“It came together very quickly because people understand the need,” she said.

Vailas said she is proud of how students, faculty, staff and local businesses have come together to help make the pantry a reality. Idaho State University Credit Union and Chartwells have made large donations, and student groups have sponsored food and toiletry drives to help fill the need.

“I’ve always been very impressed with the campus community here at ISU,” Vailas said. “They see a need and they step up to help.”

Benny’s Pantry Fulfills Need in Campus Community

Susan Duncan

Brooke Barber and Dr. Laura Vailas cut the ribbon to officially open Benny’s Pantry.


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Idaho State University offered a bachelor’s degree in dance for the first time in fall 2013. The new major is the only one of its kind offered within Idaho’s higher education system.

With the new Bachelor of Arts degree in choreography and perfor-mance, the ISU School of Performing Arts now boasts majors in all three of its major disciplines: music, theatre and dance.

The program is housed in the Depart-ment of Theatre and Dance, within the School of Performing Arts in the College of Arts and Letters, under the direction of Associate Professor Dr. Joséphine A. Garibaldi.

“I am very proud of the dance major we have developed,” said Garibaldi. “It provides students with an education in dance and the performing arts that empowers them for the realities of the 21st century.”

Garibaldi said the major could lead to careers in dance, theater performance and choreography. It may also serve as a basis for graduate study or open up job opportunities in fields such as costume, makeup, light and set design, sound design, dance history, dance medicine and science, dance and physical therapy, performance studies, dance ethnology, dance arts writing, research and criticism, dance photography and videography.

New Dance Major

Dr. Joséphine A. Garibaldi, associate professor of dance in the ISU School of Performing Arts in the College of Arts and Letters, was awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant this spring to teach at the Latvian Academy of Culture, Department of Contemporary Dance, in Riga, Latvia.

During her Fulbright fellowship, Garib-aldi taught courses in choreography, inter-disciplinary and collaborative practices, world dance and presented workshops and seminars throughout Latvia on vari-ous topics. Paul Zmolek, a fellow faculty member at ISU and Garibaldi’s creative partner for more than 20 years, accompa-nied Garibaldi with a teaching invitation at the Latvian Culture College.

Garibaldi worked with Zmolek, the information technology team at ISU and colleagues from the Latvian Academy of Culture to develop interactive online coursework where students in Latvia were able to interact in real time with students at ISU.

Students in both Latvia and Pocatello could talk live and collaborate on creative and scholarly projects face-to-face in an

online environment through coursework for World Dance/Local Identity and in the international choreo-graphic project “Global Corporeality: Collabor-ative Choreography in Digital Space” to create

original choreographic works that were performed live at the end of the spring semester for public performance.

“We are breaking ground here,” said Garibaldi. “This type of project has never been done before. It is a choreographic experiment to create a work together for students here and in Latvia.”

Garibaldi Earns Fulbright

Garibaldi

9SPRING 2014


Our main mission at Portneuf is to provide superb healthcare to the residents of

southeast Idaho. As a 187 bed trauma center that’s no small responsibility. However,

we know that in the field of healthcare there is always more to be done.

That’s why for over 50 years we’ve had a very rewarding partnership with Idaho

State University’s School of Nursing, and more recently with ISU’s Family Residency

program. Portneuf provides the perfect healthcare environment where tomorrow’s

much needed young physicians and nurses can receive real world experiences.

In addition, Portneuf has recently expanded our longstanding history of commitment

to sports medicine. Advanced treatment of our community’s young student athletes

has been greatly enhanced through the creation of our new sports medicine clinic.

This very special collaboration with ISU enables the university to maintain a

leadership position as the state’s premier healthcare educator, while we

continue to meet the needs of patients throughout the region.

It’s a partnership we’re proud to be a part of and

one we see expanding in the years ahead.

It’s A Healthy Collaboration

PortMed.org239-1000 • 777 Hospital Way, Pocatello

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ISU Mag Ad 8.25 X 11.125 B.ai 1 2/19/14 2:52 PM

When it comes to climate and carbon, what’s under our feet may be as important as what is up in the air.

Our planet’s soil – what Idaho State University’s ecosystem ecologist Dr. Kathleen Lohse calls the “skin of the earth” – sustains life on the terrestrial portion of the earth and holds about three times more carbon than the atmosphere. Scientists from multiple disciplines are trying to determine how all that carbon in the soil affects the global carbon and climate cycles.

“Soil is a living, breathing component of the surface of the earth,” Lohse said. “It plays a very strong role in regulating climate, holding water for agriculture and for many other activities that we are depen-dent on.”

The Earth’s critical zone, defined as the thin layer of our planet between the tree canopy to the bottom of our drinking water aquifers, supports nearly all human activity, providing water, food, nutrients and more. As the human population grows, the critical zone experiences ever-increasing pressure that could lead to a breakdown in its ability to support our growing population. The so-named “critical zone observatories,” or

CZOs, are research field sites that provide a major international capability to advance our knowledge in sustaining them.

“One of the large uncertainties in global climate models is how the large store of carbon in the soil may influence the atmo-sphere and associated climate,” Lohse said. “A small change in that large pool of carbon could have large effects on atmospheric concentrations.”

But the scientists have a big problem: they lack good data.

To help fill this void, the National Science Foundation established a CZO network throughout the United States in 2007. Thanks to a $2.5 million NSF grant to ISU, one of those CZOs has been created in Southwest Idaho on the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed in Owyhee County.

The CZO site selection process is highly competitive. Prior to 2013, six CZOs were located across the continental United States and one in Puerto Rico. This year, four more CZOs were approved and established. Other universities involved in the establish-ment of new CZOs include Duke University, University of Illinois and the University of California, Berkeley.

ISU will work closely with Boise State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, who will each receive sub-awards from this NSF grant.

The Reynolds Creek watershed is a perfect laboratory for researchers from these three institutions to pursue carbon research.

“Unlike some of the CZO sites, which started from scratch or with little infrastruc-ture, Reynolds Creek already has a lot of the required infrastructure in place,” said Lohse, the grant’s principal investigator.

The scientific infrastructure in place in the 93-square-mile watershed includes numerous stations collecting climate, precipitation, stream flow and snow and soil data under a wide variety of conditions. The core data collection network dates back to the 1960s.

This project will utilize scientists from a wide array of backgrounds, including hydrologists, geologists, ecologists, microbi-ologists, soil scientists and more.

“This is a big accomplishment not only for ISU, BSU and the ARS but for the entire state of Idaho,” Lohse said.

Andrew Taylor

Digging for DataStudents and researchers gather at Reynolds Creek.

Right: Kattheleen Lohse, Below: M

ark Sayfried

11SPRING 2014

Our main mission at Portneuf is to provide superb healthcare to the residents of

southeast Idaho. As a 187 bed trauma center that’s no small responsibility. However,

we know that in the field of healthcare there is always more to be done.

That’s why for over 50 years we’ve had a very rewarding partnership with Idaho

State University’s School of Nursing, and more recently with ISU’s Family Residency

program. Portneuf provides the perfect healthcare environment where tomorrow’s

much needed young physicians and nurses can receive real world experiences.

In addition, Portneuf has recently expanded our longstanding history of commitment

to sports medicine. Advanced treatment of our community’s young student athletes

has been greatly enhanced through the creation of our new sports medicine clinic.

This very special collaboration with ISU enables the university to maintain a

leadership position as the state’s premier healthcare educator, while we

continue to meet the needs of patients throughout the region.

It’s a partnership we’re proud to be a part of and

one we see expanding in the years ahead.

It’s A Healthy Collaboration

PortMed.org239-1000 • 777 Hospital Way, Pocatello

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ISU Mag Ad 8.25 X 11.125 B.ai 1 2/19/14 2:52 PM

James (Jim) Wallace drove himself from Lava Hot Springs to the Pocatello Airport in April 2013 to see a distant memory from his past come alive once again.

The retired crop duster, who also served as a fighter pilot in World War II, came to the airport to fly his 1948 Cessna C-170 airplane, rebuilt by Idaho State University College of Technology students over the last decade.

Students in the aircraft maintenance technology program carefully restored the airplane after it arrived at ISU in pieces. For more than 10 years, students worked on rebuilding every detail of the airplane from its landing gear to its wings. Reunited with his Cessna, Wallace immediately returned to flying.

“They’ve done such a great job on this. I’ve got to fly it,” Wallace said. “When you are up there, that’s where you are free.”

The aircraft maintenance program used the airplane as an instructive oppor-tunity to conduct live work maintenance. During the project, students learned how to troubleshoot existing problems, work under deadlines and meet client expectations.

Wallace originally used the aircraft on his ranch near Lava Hot Springs, but

had not flown it for almost 20 years. Mike Evans, an ISU aircraft maintenance technol-ogy instructor and pilot, joined him in the sky at the controls. Together the two soared above Portneuf Valley, and Wallace was able to once again fly the aircraft.

After his flight, Wallace beamed with gratitude as others were offered a ride in the tiny plane.

Wallace was a pilot for the Marines and served in the South Pacific Theater. His love for flying goes back to 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s Aviator Training Program in Los Angeles. He flew a variety of missions that included close air support during beach land-ings, air-to-air combat and elimination of fortified artillery emplacements.

He is also the recipient of multiple Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Wallace served in World War II from 1942 to 1946 and piloted a Vought F4U Corsair carrying rockets and ammunition. After the war,

he lived in California and worked in the crop dusting business.

Nearly 30 years later, he moved to Idaho and has resided here since. The restored Cessna was out of service for 25 years and arrived to the ISU program in various trail-ers and boxes, but is back in commission thanks to the hard work and dedication of 10 years of Bengals.

Stuart Summers, ’10

Back in the Pilot’s Seat Jim Wallace in a modern airplane

Susan Duncan

Submitted photo


A unique internship program at Idaho State University provides students with career development opportunities and University departments with passionate employees.

The Career Path Internship (CPI) program, created by ISU President Arthur Vailas in 2010, has grown into a million-dollar program aiding hundreds of students’ career goals.

“Students are eager to gain experience in their academic field and we believe that this gives students a competitive edge in the job market,” said Dr. Patricia Terrell, vice president for student affairs.

Unlike typical student employment on campus, which often consists of answer-ing phones or working in dining halls, CPI students are given a faculty mentor to work under in the field they want to pursue after graduation.

During the program’s inaugural year, the president’s office allocated $300,000 for the student interns. The University allocated $1.4 million for both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years.

“This program has grown so fast in such a short period of time,” said Lance Erickson, director of ISU’s Career Center.

Increased funding from the president’s office and interest from ISU students has contributed to the program’s growth. Erick-son said the student interest speaks to the value of the program.

The first year of the CPI program had 232 student participants. This year, more than 600 students were CPIs.

Students at any point in their academic career are invited to become a CPI, with pay levels increasing for graduate students.

Internship opportunities are available for students across the University. Biology, busi-ness administration, mass communication and psychology have had the most interns in the past three years, but any student has the opportunity to find a CPI position.

At the end of their internships, students are asked to fill out a survey about their experiences. Last year, 97 percent of CPIs said their experiences were “positive” or “very positive.” Eighty-five percent said their CPI supervisor was a mentor to them.

One student said they completed a study in collaboration with the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Another worked on local sustainability efforts.

Shawn Kelsch, a May 2014 gradu-ate of the College of Business, has had the opportunity to work in three different areas on campus, keeping financial records, coordinating development campaigns and even doing some marketing writing. He has completed financial internships in the College of Science and Engineering, and is currently working in the ISU Foundation Office. Kelsch appreciates the fact that the internships are paid, a rare bonus. Already, he says, the experience he has gained has made him more employable.

“I’ve been able to learn budgeting, payroll, leadership skills, you name it,” he said. “I’ve gotten experience in things I otherwise wouldn’t.”

The CPI program has been a boon for ISU recruitment. The Admissions Office has used the program as a marketing tool to attract new students.

Erickson said the average high school grade point average was 3.8 for the freshman interns who began in Fall 2013.

Together with program coor-dinators, the student affairs and admissions offices set aside 50 CPI positions exclusively for incoming freshmen. The lure of immediate career development and a guaranteed paycheck drew highly qualified students to ISU.

Internship Program Becomes Big DrawIDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY’S UNIQUE CAREER PATH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM GIVES STUDENTS REAL-WORLD, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Shawn Kelsch

Submitted photo

Susan Duncan

“I talked to one student who had been accepted at a university in Arizona and receiving the freshman CPI was the reason that she came to ISU,” said Terrell.

A policy change in the past two years now allows students to seek CPI opportuni-ties off campus as well.

“Businesses love it,” said Erickson.Not only do local businesses get career-

driven, educated employees, but the Univer-sity also pays the students’ wage out of the funding allocated for the CPI program. Some businesses choose to supplement the student interns’ pay with funding from their own payroll as well.

Erickson said ISU is the only Idaho university to have a program like this but that other universities are starting to take note of its impact and effectiveness.

Idaho State University’s locations in Meridian and Idaho Falls also receive CPI funding, giving Bengals around the state career opportunities while they pursue their degrees.

Michelle Schraudner, ’14

13SPRING 2014

Don’t tell Joey Parker, ’13, that he dreams too big. He doesn’t have time for such talk. He’s too busy changing the world from his laptop in Idaho Falls.

Parker, 23, writes about pop culture and social activism for MTV Act, a blog that casts an international spotlight on civic-minded celebrities and organizations bent on improving the world.

He’s also the founder and editor of The Joey Parker Movement, a website that highlights the good things the rich and famous do through their nonprofit work.

Changing the world one keystroke at a time

Follow The Movement TheJoeyParker TheJoeyParker The Joey Parker Movement

HIGH GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATES | EXCEPTIONAL STARTING SALARIESwww.isu.edu/ctech • (208) 282-2622


Content from his website is now a highly praised book — “The Joey Parker Movement: Against All Odds” — published in April by Jolly Fish Press with foreword written by heiress Paris Hilton.

“It proves you can embrace your entre-preneurial spirit even from your home in Idaho Falls,” said Parker, a May 2013 gradu-ate of Idaho State University’s mass commu-nications program.

Building the Joey Parker BrandParker launched The Joey Parker Move-

ment website in 2009, shortly after he gradu-ated from high school. He’d returned from a trip to Africa where he worked with school children and orphans whose parents had died of AIDS.

“I felt as if I wanted to contribute some-thing to the world, and thought blogging would be a good start,” he said.

At first, Parker wrote about his experi-ences in Africa. Fueled by an interest in pop culture and social activism, he soon included stories about celebrities who were doing their

part to change the world through charitable and philanthropic work.

“I started reaching out to celebrities via Twitter,” Parker said.

And many reached back—including high-profile celebs like tennis great Serena Williams and actors Denise Richards, Lisa Rinna, Sophia Bush and Avan Jogia.

“I think they saw that I was not trying to tear them down, but lift them up,” said Parker, who is quick to separate his brand of celebrity news from the snark and gossip that line supermarket racks.

“I think it’s a shift in the way our genera-tion is thinking. I think that we’re tired of the negativity and the cycle of vicious bully-ing and hateful energy that’s being put out there,” said Parker.

Parker’s website has a following in more than 100 countries and served as the impetus for his new book. It highlights the positive work of celebrities while telling Parker’s personal struggle of growing up gay in a conservative Idaho community, coming out to his family and learning self-acceptance.

“Every chapter is a different life lesson and a different theme, and I just really wanted to write a book that would help other kids going through what I’ve been through,” said Parker.

From ISU to MTV Parker gives his education at ISU high

marks. “It was a great experience for me. Everyone was very supportive. I had so many great professors,” he said.

While a student, he landed the job as a featured writer for MTV Act. In Janu-ary, MTV sent him to Park City, Utah, to cover the Sundance Film Festival where he interviewed Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, acclaimed English actor and model Keira Knightley, and pop singer and best-selling author Lance Bass.

Parker is clearly charting a career path on his own terms. His advice to others embarking on a similar journey?

Find your passion, your voice and be persistent. “Push on. Push forward. Brush your failures aside and keep going,” he said.

Chris Gabettas

It proves you can embrace your entrepreneurial spirit even from your home in Idaho Falls.

– JOEY PARKER

Photo by Christopher Loke

15SPRING 2014SPRING 2014

The 26-year-old Pocatello native was dropped off naked and with one survival tool in a harsh desert in Madagascar last fall to meet up with a woman in the same situ-ation, Eva Rupert from Flagstaff, Ariz. They had 21 days to survive and only themselves to depend on.

The event was a life-changer for Zausch, who has been testing his limits and survival skills since he was 9 when he obtained permission from his parents to go camp out in a blizzard.

“Since that first time I camped out in the blizzard it has really gotten my adrena-line going doing something dangerous and wild,” he continued. “Since then I have

continued to take it to the next level, doing bigger and better things. I like doing things other people won’t do.”

Zausch, who earned an earth and environmental systems degree from ISU, spends most of his days working as a geographic information specialist for the ISU Idaho Museum of Natural History and at A to Z Family Services in Pocatello as a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist. He has been married to his wife, Gabby, for just over a year, drives a Trans Am he rebuilt, and is the leader of Boy Scout Troop 319 in Pocatello.

When he isn’t living day-to-day life, he lives for adventure. He has tested himself

Jeff Zausch, ’11, has been bitten by a rattlesnake when he was alone and miles from civilization. He’s taken scores of solo survival treks in the wilds of the American West and in Alaska and Canada. Appearing on the Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid” program this spring, however, was tougher.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Channel

ISU Graduate Survives Reality Trek


on many survival and adventure treks through the years including climbing all of Idaho’s peaks over 12,000 feet, being a whitewater river guide, guiding spelunking expeditions and going on numerous solo survival sojourns.

The closest he came to dying in the outdoors, prior to the “Naked and Afraid” episode, was when he was bitten by the rattlesnake in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness after dumping his canoe in the main Salmon River and losing all his supplies.

“I had to make it out or I was going to die,” Zausch said.

As bad as that day was, it didn’t compare to what he and his TV companion experienced in Madagascar. Being naked didn’t help his situation and Zausch said he underestimated the difficulty it would pose.

“I have done literally hundreds of survival expeditions, but being naked out there made things 100 times more difficult,” Zausch said. “Being barefoot was one of things I had to overcome. Early on I injured my foot and had to overcome that the rest of the challenge.”

Zausch was dropped off in a harsh desert with wide swings in temperatures. The landscape is made out of sandstone rock that the locals called “razor rock.”

“They put me in a location that was one of my worst nightmares, and I didn’t see it coming,” he said. “The climate and environ-ment were even harsher than I expected.”

Because Zausch and Rupert were bare-foot and Zausch was injured, it dramatically limited the amount of area they could cover and their ability to find food and water. They nearly starved.

“It was the most difficult survival expe-rience in my life, and I’ve experienced a lot,” Zausch said. “Try going 21 days without eating; it’s almost biblical in nature if you think about it. The starvation we experi-enced was stunning.”

Though it was the most challenging thing he has done, it was also the most

rewarding. It was a spiritual experience, he said.

It also gave him greater appreciation for his father, Matt, who died last year at the age of 51. Born with a heart defect and told he wouldn’t live past his child-hood, Matt lived through nine open-heart surgeries during his life. Jeff said his father was always his hero and was the greatest survivalist he has ever met.

“Doctors kept telling him he was going to die and he kept proving them wrong,” Zausch said. “Out there (in Madagascar), I was reminded of my dad and everything he went through in his life, the way he always overcame anything despite the circum-stances, and despite how the odds were always against him, he survived. I used the legacy he left for me.”

Zausch said a lot of people don’t understand why he risks his life testing his survival skills.

“Some people might think it is silly, but it is a central part of who makes me, me,” Zausch said. “I am the type of person that I don’t think I would be happy with how I lived my life if I didn’t live it to fullest, accomplishing things other people have not done. To me, this was the ultimate thing, to push my mind and body and challenge every aspect of myself – mental, physical and spiritual.

“This is the kind of thing I live for,” he continued. “If I was asked about going again I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. I’d say ‘yes’ absolutely. It puts everything in perspective. It changes your life.”

Andrew Taylor

Susan Duncan


The career journeys of both women demonstrate the diversity of opportuni-ties ISU’s academic programming offers to students.

“I’m experiencing the bookends of the University,” Swetnam said. “I’m still direct-ing two doctoral students, and at the same time I’m enrolled in a certificate program. Some days I sit in with doctoral students in the last stages of their dissertations and then I break off to my massage therapy class. It’s fun.

“It’s nice to have the opportunity at the same institution,” she said, “to get hands-on training in a craft or occupation.”

Marley, too, said she appreciates all that ISU offers.

“I am a huge believer that trade programs are invaluable,” Marley said. “The academic route is not appropriate for everyone—you need to have that option in the community. It’s good that ISU has both. My goal is always to help people, and now pursuing the audiology doctorate is the best route for me.”

The breadth of ISU’s programming, more than 275 academic and certificate programs, is becoming increasingly impor-tant for students. There’s plenty of data noting the importance of earning a degree.

Alisa Marley, a third-year doctoral student in ISU’s audiology program, started her career by earning a massage therapy certificate. Between that initial choice and now, she also earned a law enforcement certificate from Idaho State University.

Her career path runs nearly the opposite track of Dr. Susan Swetnam, ISU English professor emeritus, the only ISU faculty member ever to win all three of the University’s distinguished faculty awards for teaching, research and service. Swetnam is currently a student in ISU’s massage therapy program. She plans to start her own grief and caregiver massage therapy practice alongside her writing and academic duties.

All There is to LearnISU’S BREADTH OF PROGRAMS

OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE


The report “The Rising Cost of Not Going to College” by the Pew Research Center shows the growing disparity between workers who have degrees and those who don’t. The report notes that among millennials ages 25-32, those with a bachelor’s degree or more have a median wage of $45,500 compared to high school graduates, who have a median wage of $28,000. The unemploy-ment rate is also significantly less for those with degrees.

In Idaho, the State Board of Education has begun an initiative called Complete College Idaho. The Board’s goal is that 60 percent of Idahoans ages 25-34 will have a degree or certificate by 2020. ISU’s scope of programming is critical to reaching this goal.

“We have a unique profile of programs we offer, from programs at the professional-technical education and certificate level, to Ph.D. degrees from a (Carnegie) research high institution,” said Dr. Laura Woodworth-Ney, ISU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are the only institu-

tion in Idaho, and one of the few in the region that offers this range of programming.”

Gary Shipley, ’92, ’04, ’07, director of ISU’s aircraft maintenance program, took advantage of ISU’s full range of programs. He earned his associate degree in aircraft maintenance and eventually began working for ISU’s aircraft maintenance program in 1999 as an instructional

assistant. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in 2004 and then his master’s degree in human resources training and development in 2007.

“What the addi-tional education did for me was open up a lot of doors outside of the wrench-side of the aircraft maintenance for the administrative side of the aisle,” Shipley said.

ISU’s diverse academic offerings allow students to explore a range of career options.

“I think the benefit ISU has over other universities is the closeness of the University overall,” Marley said. “You have the opportunity here to network and see what oppor-tunities are available.”

Andrew Taylor

We are the only institution in Idaho, and one of the few in the region,

that offers this range programming.– DR. LAURA WOODWORTH-NEY, PROVOST

19SPRING 2014

Today, biology graduate student Matt Osborne can have data in minutes that a year ago would have taken him weeks to collect.

Osborne is working with ISU Biomedical Research Institute Director Shawn Bearden, Ph.D., who is studying how elevated levels of specific amino acids in the blood vessels can work within the brain to cause cognitive impairment associ-ated with dementia. His research, combined with information from other dementia studies, could

change the way the disease is treated in the early stages.

Using a transmission electron micro-scope, Osborne is able to measure blood vessels, and see information beyond the molecular level. Two years ago, the research wouldn’t be possible at that level, Bearden says.

The microscope requires a camera to capture images of the specimens. Until

generous donors stepped in last year, Bearden’s team was working with

an outdated camera that required film. To even

begin to look at data, researchers had to

capture an image, develop the film and then find out if it was usable. In a project like Bearden’s, which requires hundreds of perfect images, the process of simply prepar-ing the images to study took weeks. Today, it takes seconds.

“It was hard to tell if you even had it in focus,” Bearden said. “It was so unwieldy that we just didn’t do it.”

Today, thanks to gifts from many alumni and friends of the University, the laboratory has a new high-tech digital camera, capable of instantly capturing images of specimens the size of a virus.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this project without it,” Osborne said.

Ed Taylor spearheaded a nationwide effort for donors to bring state-of-the-art equipment to the University. The newly-established program is named the Ruby Colony Fund, in honor of Taylor’s mother. It is a continuing method by which donors can support this and related cutting edge research at ISU.

Taylor, who passed away earlier this year, was a retired engineer who in an earlier interview said he was intrigued by the work they could do at the facility with

Left: Ed TaylorRight: Matt Osborne

Microscope Images (for comparison, an average human hair is more than 10,000 times wider)

Left: Healthy mouse brain, capillary (circle) about 3 micrometers in diameter. Image taken at 12,000x. Top Right: Healthy mouse brain, zoomed in on capillary wall. Horseshoe shape is called a peg and socket contact between endothelial cells and pericytes. This structure is what Osborne’s entire project is focused on studying. Image taken at 85,000x. Bottom Right: Healthy mouse brain, capillary about 4 micrometers in diameter. Image taken at 12,000x. Large black shape in the right side of the image is the nucleus of a pericyte.

Susan Duncan

DONORS’ GENEROSITY FURTHERS RESEARCH


the right equipment. Taylor was no stranger to science or academia — his father Albert Taylor was a professor of physical chemistry at ISU.

“They had a camera, but they couldn’t even get the film anymore,” he said. “They needed a new camera that could get down to the molecular and atomic level. I am a lot more aware of how closely the University is working with the rest of the world. It is not just theoretical. They’re working on things they are ready to try out. They will eventu-ally be able to do things to help people.”

Taylor set up a fund, offering a match-ing donation for all donations for the microscope camera. Together, he and 170 other donors worked together to raise $60,000 for the camera.

Along with Bearden and his team, many other faculty members and students across disciplines are using the microscope and camera. Research-ers are studying viruses, extreme microbes and collecting data for numerous projects.

Biology doctoral student Jamie Mayo, who also works in Bearden’s lab, said she is able to look at data more in-depth, and it has made a difference in her work.

“It allows me to look at things in such detail,” she said. “I can answer questions better and be more critical because of the research I have been able to do using these resources.”

Emily Frandsen

21SPRING 2014

CommUniversity Brings Together Bengal Spirit

Photos by Ross Knight and ISU Photographic Services

Amidst the smiles, laughter and orange and black balloons, one can’t miss the feeling of excitement at CommUniversity events. From face painting to scientific demonstrations, the celebrations have something for all ages – including Benny the Bengal. The unique town-and-gown program, now in its fourth year, hosts two annual events connecting ISU with the surrounding communities.

The events are exactly the kind of celebrations that commu-nity and University leaders were envisioning in 2009 when they formed a committee dedicated to strengthening the bond between ISU and the communities that support it. The organizers’ intention was simple – to strengthen the connection between the University and the community. The action plan, however, was not. After much brainstorming and discussion, the committee settled on the name “CommUniversity” and began developing plans for the first event, which was held the following fall.

Now the annual events include “Welcome Back Orange and Black” held in Old Town Pocatello in the fall and the ISU-hosted “Celebrate Idaho State” festivities in the spring. The fall event is intended to introduce the ISU campus community to all that the region has to offer. In return, the spring event showcases the University’s many academic offerings, clinics and programs. “These two events bring ‘town and gown’ together like no other,” said Valorie Watkins, ’66, co-chair and founder of CommUniversity.

More than 30 volunteers from the community and ISU dedicate countless hours working year-round on the events, which have

grown annually. More than 4,000 people attended the most recent “Celebrate Idaho State” event on March 18. This year’s event was a part of ISU Week as declared by Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad and Chubbuck Mayor Kevin England.

“We were so pleased with this year’s turnout,” said ISU President Arthur Vailas. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase everything our University has to offer our community and state.”

As a career path intern for CommUniversity, senior market-ing major Megan Moore had the opportunity to work with the volunteers in planning this year’s events. “I have learned why it is important for the community to be involved with Idaho State University, and the reverse as well. One cannot grow to its fullest potential without the other, making the bond between the two something greater than often realized,” Moore said.

Each year the events continue to grow, inspiring the next generation of Bengals and celebrating the communities’ pride in their University.

“We’re really achieving what we strived to do. I’m elated with what is developing. ISU is the gem of our community and we need to show it off,” said Jim Johnston, CommUniversity co-chair and city councilman. Watkins added, “Whether it’s the Governor’s and Mayors’ proclamations, the Bengal paws on the streets leading to campus, the collaboration between city and campus employees, the signs on the streets and in shop windows, the connection and pride is visible. CommUniversity is working!”

Dr. Adrienne King


CommUniversity Committee:Idaho State University

City of PocatelloOld Town Pocatello

Pocatello-Chubbuck Chamber of Commerce

The Idaho State JournalKPVI TV 6

Additional Supporters:Chartwells

CostcoDriscoll Farms

ISU Credit UnionKZBQ and KORR 104

Rich Broadcasting

First: Benny loves CommUniversity events.

Second: A sea of orange at the Celebrate Idaho State event.

Third: Students enjoy sharing their new knowledge with the

community.

Fourth: The potato bar is a staple at the Celebrate Idaho

State event.

23SPRING 2014

Today, Ellis can be found skiing with a paraplegic 12-year

old, or guiding a raft with a University student in a wheel-chair. Since 1981, the CW HOG program, part of ISU’s Outdoor Adventure Center, has provided opportunities for people with and with-out disabilities to experi-ence outdoor adventures together. Each summer, HOGs, as participants often call themselves, can be found tackling whitewater rapids, and

each winter, they hit the mountains, skiing. Over the more

than three decades since the program began, participants have taken trips that most people never attempt — in 1998 Tom McCurdy, ’98, was one of 13 people on his team who climbed to the base camp of Mount Everest.

McCurdy became a paraplegic in 1987. Before he took his first CW HOG trip, he spent a few years depressed about his loss of mobility, and thinking about the things he could no longer do. In 1989, he decided to attend Idaho State University, and in 1990, took his first CW HOG trip. Since then, he has climbed Mount Kilamanjaro twice, once with each of his children.

Bob Ellis, ’04, director of CW HOG or Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group, walked into the Idaho State University Outdoor Program office as a student and signed up for an event. Later, someone asked him to take a course to help teach adaptive skiing. He was hooked.

“It changed my life forever,” he said. “Before, I thought people with disabilities didn’t do things in the outdoors. I had labeled those activities they can’t do.”

Bethany Baker

For more information on the

Outdoor Recreation Center,

visit isu.edu/magazine


Skiing and rafting with people who have disabilities

was never part of Bob Ellis’s master plan.

“Once I got around the infectious opti-mism of the people I met through CW HOG, my attitude turned around,” he said. “My life is much more satisfying because of it.”

The optimism and willingness to adventure is contagious, Ellis said. CW HOG is unique compared to other programs, in part because of its philosophy that everyone, both able-bodied and those with disabilities, work together to make trips a success.

“We do things with people, not for people,” he said.

That attitude of cooperation is one of the things Emilee Knudson loves about the program. She found CW HOG when she was 14 and moved to Pocatello from Utah. She was a skier, and was looking for an adaptive ski program so she could continue her passion.

Knudson, who graduated from ISU’s paralegal program this spring, never had plans to go whitewater rafting, but Ellis talked her into it.

“I went, and I loved it,” she said.The trips build confidence, Knudson

says. When people do something they didn’t

think they could do, Ellis says, it affects every aspect of their life.

“It plants the seed in their heads. They think, ‘well, if I can do that, maybe I can do something else too.”

Knudson loves the idea that on trips, such as the whitewater expedition she took last summer, everyone does something.

“You just feel like you’re part of a group. We’re just all friends,” she said. “We all do our part. We all help out, and we all have our assigned duties. I don’t get a freebie because I’m in a chair.”

For McCurdy, the idea of cooperation is a huge attraction. He started in the program to learn how to ski again, and today he skis on his own with his kids, and occasionally returns to CW HOG to help teach skiing. McCurdy has watched people participate in CW HOG programs and become Paralym-pians. Annually, thousands are a part of the program through trips, classes and fundrais-ing events.

“The program is geared towards every-one achieving their greatest independence,” he said.

Emily Frandsen

When people do something they didn’t think they could do,

it affects every aspect of their life.– BOB ELLIS


INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PRESENCE ENHANCES IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY

Imagine a scholarship that paid for students to study in any country they wanted with all expenses paid. What if the government funded that scholarship program, granting funding to practically any student who wanted to participate?

In Saudi Arabia, that idea has become a reality.Through the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program spon-

sored by the Saudi government, students are encouraged, and fully funded, to live and study virtually anywhere they want. After gradua-tion, they return with a degree and unique experience in hand to help build a promising future for their country.

Why does this matter to Idaho?In the spring 2014 semester, 575 students at Idaho State University

were from Saudi Arabia, thanks in large part to the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program. The 2012-2013 academic year saw more than a 36 percent increase in total international student enrollment at ISU. Along with the students from Saudi Arabia, students from Nepal, China, Kuwait and many other countries are choosing ISU.

African Student Association President and first-year pharmacy student Kizito Kyeremateng came to ISU six years ago from Ghana. He had heard about ISU’s health sciences programs from a cousin, and thought the University might be able to help him fulfill his dream of working in the health professions.

“ISU had what I wanted,” he said. “It has lived up to every-thing I expected.”

After Kyeremateng earned his bachelor’s degree, he decided to stay in Pocatello for his pharmacy training because he liked the community’s atmosphere and the program.

“We have been working aggressively to be the destination of choice,” said Maria Fletcher, director of ISU’s International Programs Office. “You want a great education? You want a safe campus? You come to ISU. You want an excellent faculty? You come to ISU. You want faculty members, staff members and students who are interested and who care about you? Come to ISU.”

Kyeremateng says he recommends ISU to friends and family on Facebook. The community of Pocatello, he says, isn’t too big, and he has been able to focus on his studies.

“The people here are pretty nice and receptive,” he said. Students from Saudi Arabia are also recommending ISU to

friends and family. “We started posting on the Internet how great it is to be here

in Pocatello, how great the University is, how we feel comfortable here,” said Saudi Student Association President and marketing student Nezar Alnejidi.

He cited Pocatello’s low housing prices and affordable cost of living as another draw for Saudi students to come to Idaho, even relocating from other states.

Kyeremateng says the he appreciates the fact that more inter-national students are coming to campus. Having students with many different life experiences makes the University even better, he says.

“When you come here and see people from where you are from, and from other countries and places, it makes you feel welcome,” he said.

Such a large influx of international students in a relatively short period of time was inevitably going to alter Pocatello. Spice stores cater to the Middle Eastern student population and Fletcher said stores like Fred Meyer now have entire aisles devoted to food products for the international community.

In February, a proposal to build a mosque south of campus was presented at a city council meeting.

Susan Duncan Saudi students celebrate on the Hutchinson Quad.


Health Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration is celebrating 40 years as a program. Plan now so you can join the festivities during Homecoming 2014.

SAVE THE DATE • SEPTEMBER 26-27, 2014(208) 282-2482 • isu.edu/hns/hca

For Saudi Arabian students like Alnejidi, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly welcome and support-ive.

“Even if we are guests here, we still feel Pocatello is our home. We miss it when we go back home for a month or something; we miss going back to Pocatello, even if it is very cold,” he said, laughing.

Although a few isolated incidents have made Alnejidi and his wife uncomfortable, he is quick to focus on the support he and the other international students have received from ISU and the surrounding community.

“We still love it,” he said. “This is how we feel about it. We feel it’s our second home. The people here are also very kind and warm people.”

For Fletcher, who once was an international student in the United States herself, the care that the University takes to make sure its international students feel at home in Pocatello is from a place of both human kindness and strategic planning.

“I wanted to increase the international student population, because in my mind, I’m thinking: internationalization, globaliza-tion, and all of our students are not traveling out of the coun-try. So I wanted students to come in and interact with the students here so that you can have a different perspec-tive taking place in the classes, different discussions, opening our students’ minds here to the possibility of what exists outside of Pocatello,” Fletcher said.

Along with that exposure to outside ways of thinking, the international students bring an increase in revenue to ISU and local businesses.

“They spend here, they live here, they have to buy clothes, they have to eat, they buy cars. So, it’s good for the community as well,” said Fletcher.

When Saudi Arabian students are awarded the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship, they get to bring their families with them while they study at American universities. The whole family has the opportunity to learn English, learn the new culture and share parts of the Saudi Arabian culture with neighbors and classmates.

“Some people when they see us here, they think, ‘Oh, you don’t have schools in Saudi Arabia?’ We have 25 universities, large univer-sities,” Alnejidi said. “We’re here for the experience, not just for the education.”

Michelle Schraudner, ’14

Bethany Baker

27SPRING 2014

College of BusinessKent C. OramCollege of EducationDr. Marilyn E. DavisCollege of TechnologyRobert C. BaconCollege of PharmacyDr. Sunil G. WadhwaniCollege of Science and Engineering

Natural and Physical SciencesDr. Archie C. ShumCollege of Science and Engineering

EngineeringKelly L. LivelyCollege of Arts and Letters

Social and Behavioral SciencesVerne A. DuncanCollege of Arts and Letters

Fine Arts and HumanitiesBillie Johnson McSeveneyDivision of Health SciencesMeg Long WoodhouseSchool of NursingSandra Evans

College of BusinessAndrea VicicCollege of EducationCarly Hutchings MaloneyCollege of TechnologyDaphne A. ElineCollege of PharmacyJohn Anthony MalamakalCollege of Science & Engineering

Natural and Physical SciencesChristopher John ReedCollege of Science & Engineering

EngineeringAntonio Diego Tahhan AcostaCollege of Arts and Letters

Social and Behavioral SciencesAmy Messegee Denny College of Arts and Letters

Fine Arts and HumanitiesNicole M. BlanchardDivision of Health SciencesSamantha A. NicolelloSchool of NursingKylie PukashGraduate School - Master’s CandidateLori D. BarberGraduate School - Doctoral CandidateElise Kimberly Barker

Outstanding Student Achievement Awards

Professional Achievement Awards

28 TRACKINGS

Reuben Allen, ’00, BA, Mass Communications/Journalism, College of Arts and Letters

Arco native Reuben Allen is an alumnus of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), which is a full-time, team-based, residential national service program for men and women ages 18 to 24. Allen served in Ameri-Corps NCCC in class 7 and class 8 at the Atlantic Region campus in Perry Point, Md. Allen applied to NCCC during his senior year in college at Idaho State University where he was earning a degree in journalism.

At the time of his application to NCCC, Allen had lived his entire life in southeastern Idaho, and had not traveled further east than Denver. When asked about his experiences in the NCCC program, Allen said, “the program completely changed the direction of my life. As a team leader I met another team leader, Margie Reurink, who is now my wife.” During his two terms of service with AmeriCorps NCCC, Allen served on eight project rounds in 11 states. He served communities in the areas of education, construction, disaster relief, in parks and through community revitalization.

During Allen’s first year in class 7, the terror-ist attacks of Sept. 11 occurred. In response to the attacks, he and his team deployed to an American Red Cross Center in Falls Church, VA. There, Allen and his team set up and manned a call center designed to provide information and assistance to people impacted by the terrorist attacks.

Currently, Allen works as a regional ranger super-visor for the parks in southeastern Vermont. He oversees the operation of the 13 state parks in the region and is responsible for the supervision and training of the park rangers and their staff at each location.

--------- ALUMNI AUTHOR ---------

LaDelle F. Blevins, ’62, BA, Ed/English, College of Education

Blevins’s book Gray Stalker is a police suspense story about an average Joe who unknowingly gets the attention of a sadistic serial killer who tracks him from Florida to Idaho. The ordinary Joe is unaware that he is being stalked. The stalker is determined to get his man in spite of

the obstacles he has to overcome to do so. The book is available on Amazon.

Blevins spent 24 years in the U.S. Navy and taught in the public school system for several years in Idaho, Arizona and Florida. Now retired, he enjoys playing tennis and playing music in a band. He and his wife of 54 years divide their time between Pensacola, Fla., and Quartzsite, Ariz.

--------- ALUMNI AUTHOR ---------

Nancy Buffington, ’86, BA, English, College of Arts and Letters

Buffington taught English for more than two decades at several universities includ-ing Stanford and Boise State and is now an executive communications consultant at Boise SpeakWell, LLC, which she founded in 2011. She holds a master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. She has been published widely in academia.

Buffington has published her first children’s book on public speaking, Ruby Lee and the VERY

Collaboration InspiringInnovationThe Center for Advanced Energy Studies is a research and education partnership among Boise State University, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho State University and University of Idaho. Our goal is to be a resource for solving critical technical challenges and helping industry. Find us at: www.caesenergy.org

Bioenergy

Energy Policy

Advanced Materials

Modeling & Simulation

Geofluids Energy Science

Nuclear Science & Engineering

Continued on Page 31

29SPRING 2014

For more than 30 years, Tony Hall, ’13, has been a counselor at law. Now he can add counselor of mental health to his nameplate.

In spring 2013, Hall, an assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, graduated from the Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center with a Master of Counseling degree in mental health.

“I knew I wanted to do something differ-ent in retirement,” said Hall, 61.

But Hall isn’t shelving his law books any time soon. By day, he litigates complex financial and asset forfeiture cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boise. A couple of nights a week, he volunteers as a licensed mental health counselor for Catholic Chari-ties of Idaho.

“I think the satisfaction I get out of the volunteer counseling is being a part of something bigger than me. It’s very fulfill-ing,” he said.

Hall grew up in Hailey, Idaho, and graduated from Wood River High School.

He entered Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah with the intention of major-ing in psychology, but switched to English literature and language.

In 1982, he graduated from BYU law school, clerked for the Idaho Supreme Court and became a partner in a private Boise law firm that specialized in real estate, business and construction litigation. In 1989, Hall joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, using his financial expertise and gifted legal mind to seize the assets of drug traffickers and white-collar crooks, a position he’s held for 25 years.

Becoming a BengalHall’s love of the psychology courses

from his undergraduate years and a desire to “get involved in health care” drew him back to college at the age of 58.

In 2010, the father of six children and grandfather of 13, enrolled in the counseling program at ISU-Meridian. Hall admits he was a little intimidated at first, wondering if he could balance the rigors of academic studies with his legal commitments.

“I’d packed my brain with law for so many years I thought I’d have a hard time soaking it up, but I really thought it [enroll-ing in the program] was the right thing to do,” he said.

Hall would rise at 4:45 in the morning, work a full day at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and head to the Meridian campus for classes. He seldom would be home before 10 p.m.

Hall credits his professors—Drs. Judith Crews and Elizabeth Horn—with setting the bar high and helping students achieve their goals.

“They had an ability to communicate with someone in their 20s sitting next to someone my age. They were able to reach both of us and make it a meaningful experi-ence,” he said.

Hall is not the first Bengal in the family. His daughter is a graduate of ISU’s dental hygiene program and his son-in-law holds an accounting degree from the College of Business.

“They had a wonderful experience at ISU,” said Hall. That influenced his deci-sion to select the ISU-Meridian counseling program out of others on his list.

Just Do It For anyone who thinks it’s too late to

enroll in college or to embrace a new career, Hall shares a story.

He recalls an Ann Lander’s column in which a reader sought advice on whether he was too old to enroll in medical school. The reader was in his 50s and would be close to 60 when he graduated.

Landers responded: “How old would you be if you didn’t do it?”

It’s a response that has resonated with Hall for years.

“Just do it… before you talk yourself out of it,” said Hall with a laugh.

Chris Gabettas

From the Courtroom to the Classroom

Tony Hall

Chris Gabettas

30 TRACKINGS

BIG DEAL. Ruby Lee features a fifth-grade girl chosen to read her prize-winning essay at a local celebration. But Ruby suffers from a bad case of stage fright. Help comes in the form of her eccentric Great Aunt Alice, who may—or may not—have been a starlet in the golden age of film.

Ruby and Alice come to appreciate each other- and readers come away with down-to-earth, effective public speaking tips. “Ruby Lee” features endearing hand-drawn illustrations by Stephanie Mullani, artist and co-owner of Tru Publishing. “Ruby Lee” is available at Hyde Park Books, Rediscovered Books, Penny Lane Kids and ROsieMADE in Boise as well as through Amazon as either an e-book or print copy.

David A. Burton, ’06, BME, College of Educa-tion, Music Education, District Teacher of the Year for 2012-2013

Choir director David Burton of Caldwell High School was selected the Caldwell School District Teacher of the Year for the 2012-13 school year.

“Mr. Burton has demonstrated a mastery of his subject area. He has gained the respect of his students, the staff and administration. David has expanded his program significantly since starting in Caldwell.”

In the past five years, the choir program at Caldwell High School has doubled in size. He has added an a capella choir and men’s chorus. Burton has developed a world music elective and a music appreciation class. He has visions of creating a vocal jazz ensemble and a recording studio at Caldwell High School. He started the Treasure Valley honor band and choir with Ron Curtis. He also started a community choir known as the Treasure Valley Choral Arts Ensemble, for anyone who is interested in singing in a group.

Burton is deeply involved in his profession outside of the high school. He is the District III choir chair. He is the Idaho Music Educators All State Honor Choir coordinator. He is a screener for All-State and All-Northwest Honor Choirs and is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association.

--------- ALUMNI AUTHOR ---------

Lisa Creswell, ’92, BA; ’94, MA Anthropology, College of Arts and Letters

Cresswell published her newest book, Hush Puppy in August 2013. Cresswell’s first tradition-ally-published novel Hush Puppy is the story of an interracial relationship between Corrine Lamb, a 17-year-old black girl, and Jamie Armstrong, a poor white boy, that takes place in a small North Carolina town. Cresswell called Hush Puppy a young-adult novel that tells a coming-of-age story.

Cresswell currently lives and works in Shoshone, Idaho.

Dr. Thomas Edgar of Boise received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Idaho Counseling Association at its annual awards in February, 2014. From the completion of his Ph.D. at the University of Wyoming in 1963 to his retire-ment in 1995 from Idaho State University, Edgar has been a supervisor, educator, advo-cate, cheerleader, counselor, encourager, motivator, mentor, consultant and challenger to many counselors for more than 40 years.

Nathan Fullmer, ’02- Exited, Human Resource and Training Development

Fullmer is the new director of restaurants for the Hagadone Hospitality Co. He was born and raised in Southeast Idaho and attended Idaho State University until 2002. He was formerly district manager for Starbucks Coffee Company, regional director of operations for Restaurants Unlimited and operations director for Fired-Up, Inc. He was also a franchisee for Johnny Carino’s.

Calvin R. ‘Randy” Gorrell, ‘72, BBA Business Administration-Management and Organization

Gorrell retired after 40 years of global leadership and executive management positions in human resources, information technology and adminis-tration in technology, manufacturing, software and telecommunications companies.

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31SPRING 2014

Former ISU President William E. “Bud” Davis probably should have told his wife that he was running for the U.S. Senate before she read about it on the front page of the Idaho State Journal.

This is one of the many anecdotes shared about Davis in the book “Medimont Reflections” written by Chris Carlson, a 1970 ISU graduate with a master’s degree in English who eventually became Idaho Gov. Cecil D. Andrus’s press secretary.

“Nobody Calls Me Senator,” the longest chapter in the book published last June, chronicles Davis’s race in the Democratic primary and then against Republican James McClure, who won the tighter-than-expected general election in 1972.

For ISU alumni, the 28-page essay in the 13-chapter book is a fascinating account of one of Idaho State’s former presidents. The book also includes chapters on the creation of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, a possible missing ballot box in a pivotal election, Idaho’s most influen-tial female

politicians and other significant topics.In the book’s forward, former Gov.

Andrus writes, “…Chris captures that inde-finable something which makes Idahoans so unique while also capturing the essence of the individuals and their issues.”

The book reveals much about Carlson, too. Besides being Andrus’ press secretary, Carlson also was the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Public Affairs when Andrus served as President Jimmy Carter’s Secretary of the Interior.

Carlson was Idaho’s first appointment to the Northwest Power Planning Council, was vice president of a Seattle-based publicity firm The Rockey Company, and was vice president for northwest public affairs for Kaiser Aluminum. In 1989, Carlson founded the Gallatin Group, a public affairs firm

with offices in Boise, Seattle, Portland, Helena and Spokane.

Health issues contributed to Carl-son retiring from an active role from the Gallatin Group. In 1999, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and in 2005 was diagnosed with late Stage IV carcinoid neuroendocrine cancer. He was given six months to live, but, as he notes in “Medi-mont Reflections,” “I’m still on the sunny side of this good, green earth.”

Since being diagnosed with the cancer, Carlson has published another book in 2011, the admittedly biased biography, “Cecil Andrus: Idaho’s Greatest Governor.” He also writes a weekly political column carried by several Idaho newspapers including the Lewiston Tribune, Twin Falls Times-News and the St. Marie’s Gazette-Record.

Andrew Taylor

ISU ALUM CHRIS CARLSON, ’70, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR IDAHO GOVERNOR CECIL ANDRUS, PENS NEW BOOKS ON IDAHO POLITICS THAT REVEALS MUCH ABOUT THE AUTHOR, TOO

Reflections on Idaho, History and Events

Submitted photos

Chris Carlson

32 TRACKINGS

Most recently Gorrell was corporate vice president, human resources, people services for Motorola Mobility and Motorola/Google. Motorola Mobility was acquired by Google in 2012.

Gorrell and his wife Valerie have lived in Cali-fornia for the past 30 years — 17 in northern California and the past 13 in Laguna Niguel.

They have two adult daughters, Shannon and Alexandra, who are both technology marketing executives in southern California. Shannon just gave birth to identical twin boys.

Dr. Kim Hyatt, ’93, DHS, MHE; ’94,COE, MPE-Athletic Administration

Hyatt, dean and athletic director of Mt. Hood Community College, was recently awarded the Becky L. Sisley award. The award is presented to former University of Oregon women athletes 20-25 years following graduation who have excelled in their profession and have been active members in their community.

Hyatt was a track athlete at the University of Oregon from 1989 to 1992. She was named All-American in javelin all four years as a Duck. Her dominance in javelin helped her team bring home two back-to-back National Championships in 1991 and 1992.

After her success on the track, Hyatt decided to attend Idaho State University to receive a master’s degree in physical education and

athletic administration. While attending Idaho State, she worked as a graduate teaching assis-tant and was an assistant coach for the track team.

--------- ALUMNI AUTHOR ---------

Kirby Jonas, ’90, College of Technology, Certificate-Law Enforcement

Jonas was born in Bozeman, Mont. and lived along a once-remote road in the mountains known as Bear Canyon, where cattle range gave way to spruce and fir, and the wild country was forever ingrained in him. It was there he gained his love for the Old West, listening late at night to stories and western ballads and watching television westerns like Gunsmoke, The Virginian and the Big Valley.

After moving to Shelley, Idaho, where he completed all of his school years, he wrote his first book (The Tumbleweed) in the sixth grade and his second (The Vigilante) as a senior in high school.

Kirby has written several novels including The Secret of Two Hawks, Yaqui Gold, Death of an Eagle, Knight of the Ribbons, Legend of the Tumbleweed, The Devil’s Blood, Lady Winchester, The Dansing Star, Disciples of the Wind- Legends West, Book 1 and Reapers of the Wind- Legends West, Book 2. All of these can be found on his website kirbyjonas.com.

In addition to his writing, Jonas also paints wild-life and the West and has done all the cover art

for his books. Additionally, he is a songwriter and guitar player. Jonas enjoys the joking title given to him by his friends, “The Renaissance Cowboy.”

Jonas has settled permanently in Pocatello with his wife, Debbie, have four children. He currently works as a firefighter for the City of Pocatello. He also has fought forest fires for the Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Fish and Game, and been a security officer for both Wells Fargo and the Pocatello Police Department.

Robert Mahon, ’12, MS Geology, College of Science & Engineering

Mahon recently received the top award for the inaugural U.S. Geological Survey/Geologi-cal Society of America Best Student Geologic Map Compe-tition held at the 125th anniversary Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Denver.

Mahon is a Ph.D. candidate in Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming, focus-ing on sedimentary processes and stratigraphic analysis.

Jamie Mashek, MS Physician Assistant Studies, Division of Health Sciences

Mashek joined Bridger Ortho-pedic & Sports Medicine in Bozeman, Mont. as a physician assistant. She holds a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Idaho State

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33SPRING 2014

From Pocatello, Idaho, to Washington, D.C., is quite a journey, but it is one that Casidy Robison, ’11, has undertaken gladly. The former ISU student body president from American Falls is now interning for the Council on Women and Girls in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Robison is also a graduate student at The George Washington University. She will graduate in May with a master’s degree in higher education administration with an emphasis on higher education policy and finance. She is also in the process of apply-ing to doctoral programs to study public policy with a focus on education.

“My experiences at ISU really helped me develop a strong foundation, both person-ally and professionally. I will always be a proud Bengal, regardless of where I am in the country!” she said.

Between her internship and graduate school, Robison is no stranger to a busy schedule. However, she doesn’t take any of it for granted.

“Every morning when I pass through the front gate and see the White House, I am reminded of how lucky I am to be provided this opportunity,” Robison said.

During her time at Idaho State Univer-sity, Robison, whose given name is Jahnke, was a student senator and then president of ASISU. She credits those experiences with preparing her for her work now.

“It was in student government that I discovered a lot about myself; who I was and who I wanted to become in the future,” she said.

Her work at the Council on Women and Girls includes policy research, draft-ing memos and briefs, attending meetings and more. Created in 2009, the Council on

Women and Girls aims to create equality for women and girls and to ensure legislation drafted is inclusive for them.

“I have been blown away by the indi-viduals we interact with on a daily basis,” Robison said. “It is a common occurrence to encounter senior officials in meetings, hallways or even the cafeteria.”

Robison was selected from a number of highly qualified applicants. Her prior experience interning for Senator Mike Crapo likely helped her stand out from the field. That experience led to a job with the Sergeant at Arms, working on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Her plans after graduate school are not yet set in stone, but Robison does know that she hopes to stay involved in research. Whether in a professorial or governmental capacity, she is excited to see where the future leads her.

Andrew Taylor

Former ASISU President Interning in D.C.

Submitted Photo

Casidy Robison

34 TRACKINGS

Every time she sees a photo or video of the president in the Oval Office, Laura Hill, ’83, sees the Cisco phone on the desk and smiles.

Hill knows the history behind the phone, a story that began on a paper napkin, where Hill, White House communications staff and her peers in the U.S. Army began working to modernize communications at the White House just after 9/11.

It was then that Hill, a Jerome, Idaho native and now retired Lt. Colonel, took on the job of providing communications systems for the White House compound, an area she refers to as “the 18 acres.” Hill and her staff were responsible for ensuring Presi-dent George W. Bush had communications capability any time, anywhere, including setting up communications links in Air Force One.

Despite its importance, Hill is unassum-ing about her work. Life has been a great experience for an Idaho girl who never took a computer class in college, and majored in physical education and health education at Idaho State University. Her military experi-ence, including offering communications support as chief of the Operations Center in the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir during the 9/11 terrorists attacks

helped shape her future in the White House. “It was a pretty cool dream job,” she

said with a laugh. “At that job, every day you were a part of history. Every time you walk through the West Wing, your blood starts pumping. What a rush!”

Today, Hill is a strategic planner for the U.S. Forest Service, where she is working with interagency partners on apps to help firefighters get critical fire information quickly. The goal, as in many things Hill does, is to make sure the people on the ground are safe. Hill worked in the private sector for awhile, but she found that her passion was as a public servant.

“I love public service,” she said. “I’m not in it for the bottom dollar.”

When she was a student at ISU, Hill knew she wanted to serve the United States. She attended school on an ROTC scholar-ship. It was at ISU that she met and married her husband, Bart Hill. It was also at ISU that Hill found more than an education — she found another home.

“I was so fortunate to have so many great mentors,” Hill said. “They really care about what you want to do and where you want to go. I haven’t found anything like it since.”

Today, Hill spends time at Idaho State University working with the Veterans’ Sanctuary as advisor-at-large with the board of directors. She is a member of the federal Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans, and she is working to find ways to help veterans cope with many of the issues they face today, such as integrating into society while facing post-traumatic stress syndrome, brain injury and extreme stress.

She is currently a cohort project participant in a VA Hospital pain manage-ment class that uses mindfullness, including meditation, to give veterans a drug-free way to deal with stress and pain management. Hill is thrilled with the results.

“I never knew in a million years that could happen,” she said, “We’re all reacting in a positive way. It’s amazing.”

Now, Hill is working on creating a plan to provide a more holistic approach to veterans’ services, a process she plans to build into a future career. When she is ready to move on to the next challenge, Hill is considering returning to school to become a counselor for veterans. She wants to continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

“I’m not done yet,” she said.

Emily Frandsen

Hill Helps Connect at White House

Photo by Eric Draper

35SPRING 2014

It’s 7:30 on a cold January morning. Much of the Treasure Valley—where Tito Livas, ’06, grew up—is trapped under a dense fog.

Seven thousand miles away, the Idaho State University theater graduate is ending his day under a calm night sky, working a dream job that has taken him to every continent on the planet except Antarctica.

For the past two years, Livas has performed on cruise ships for the Holland America Line. This winter, he was in the Far East, singing the music of Michael Jackson and performing tunes from Broadway, the pop world and standards from the 1940s and 50s.

He also teaches dance classes based on routines from ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” to cruise guests, who compete in a dance competition at sea. Livas’ down time is spent in exotic ports of call—one week earlier he’d been hiking volcanoes in Indonesia.

“It’s pretty much a dream come true,” said Livas, 33, during a phone interview as his ship sailed toward Cambodia.

Finding a VoiceLivas grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, 30 miles west of Boise. He was

a shy kid who liked to sing, but preferred standing in the chorus line to taking center stage.

His sophomore year at Caldwell High School things changed. Livas’ choir director suggested he try out for the musical “Grease,” and he ended up landing a featured role.

During his senior year, Livas attended the All-State Choir competition at Idaho State University in Pocatello where he met ISU music professor, Dr. Scott Anderson, who was in charge of the competition.

“He was so great to work with. I liked how passionate he was when he was teaching and trying to get us to sing a specific way. So I thought, ‘I want to go to ISU and to work with that man,’ ” said Livas.

Livas enrolled in ISU, studied music for two years, took time off, performed with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and kicked around Paris, France for a while.

When he returned to Bengal Country, he auditioned for ISU Summer Theatre and later enrolled in the theater department.

“I fell in love with the department and the people involved,” said Livas, noting theater professor, Dr. Sherri Dienstfrey-Swanson, helped him hone his acting skills.

He had roles in ISU productions of “Man of La Mancha,” “The Music Man,” “The Secret Garden,” “Antigone,” “Servant of Two Masters,” and “Twelfth Night.” He also spent a year studying jazz and modern dance.

Livas says ISU prepared him well for his professional career. “I cherished the one-on-one instruction from instructors and profes-sors. You really feel like they want you to do well. They believe in all of your talents,” he said.

After Livas graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre, he moved to New York City. He’s been a featured extra in the NBC series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” appeared in the Lenny Kravitz music video “Come On Get It,” and acted with Joe Papp’s iconic Public Theater.

Setting SailLivas landed the gig with Holland America Line after answering

an open audition in New York City two years ago. The cruise shows are produced by Barry Manilow’s Stiletto Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, where Livas spends up to six weeks a year in rehears-als.

The life of a professional singer and dancer is rigorous, highly competitive and not for the easily discouraged.

“You have to be tenacious. You have to want it. You can’t be afraid to fail because 90 percent of what we do is auditioning and not getting a role. The remaining 10 percent is actually landing the job and getting paid to do it,” said Livas.

Chris Gabettas

How a Shy Kid from Idaho Lands His Dream Job

Submitted Photo

Tito Livas

36 TRACKINGS

University and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Patrick McDonald, ’94, ’97, College of Educa-tion-BS- Corporate Training, MEd Occupational Training Management.

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter has appointed Patrick McDonald to be the new representative for Boise District 15 in the Idaho House. McDonald previously served 33 years with the Idaho State Police and U.S. Marshall’s Office.

The 67-year-old McDonald grew up in Burley, graduated from Idaho State University and was a member of the Idaho State Police for 33 years before becoming a U.S. Marshal in Idaho during the George W. Bush administration.

McDonald will serve the remainder of the term in the Idaho House and will seek the Republican nomination to run for the seat for a full term in the May 20 primary election.

Coach Dave Neilsen, ’81, MPE-Athletic Administration-College of Education

ISU Head Track and Field Coach Dave Nielsen was inducted in to the National Pole Vault Summit Hall of Fame at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada in January 2014.

Under Nielsen, the Bengals have won five Big Sky Championships. He has been honored with

the Big Sky Coach of the Year five times. He garnered national recognition when he coached former Bengal Stacy Dragila to the world’s first Olympic gold medal in the women’s pole vault. In 2012, Nielsen sent three vaulters, Mike Arnold, Paul Litchfield and Levi Keller to the US Olympic trials.

Mark A. Pearson, ’90 BA, History, College of Arts and Letters

CMC Mark A. Pearson, assumed the duties as the Command Master Chief for the Fifth Coast Guard District on July 11, 2013. As the senior enlisted advisor to the District Commander, master Chief provides advice on workforce policies, is the senior enlisted mentor, and acts as a sound-ing board for select administrative actions and initiatives relative to the day-to-day operations of units throughout the 5th District and their impact on the work force.

Master Chief Pearson travels throughout the District visiting units, meeting with crews, observing operational evolutions and communi-cating with Coast Guardsmen and their families. The Fifth Coast Guard District ensures the safety

and security of the oceans, coastal areas, and marine transportation system within America’s Mid-Atlantic Region. In 2007 Master Chief Pearson was selected to be one of the first three Coast Guard Intelligence Specialists. In 1999 he earned a MA in Military Studies from American-Military University, and in 2004 a MS in Instruc-tional Systems from Florida State University.

Mark met his wife Kaoru Ueda Pearson in 1987 at ISU — she lived in Turner Hall and he lived in Garrison Hall. Kaoru is an ISU alumna, graduat-ing in 1989 with her BBA in Computer Informa-tion Systems. Mark and Kaoru married in 1990 and have three children Cole, Derek and Emma. The currently live in Virginia but really enjoyed their time in Pocatello and still keep in touch with friends they made while ISU students.

Kari M. Schroeder, ’05, BBA-Accounting/Finance; ’06 MBA-Business Administration

Kari M. Schroeder is the newest employee at Cooper Norman located at 444 Hospital Way, Suite 555. An Idaho-licensed certified public accountant, she was hired in December.

She attended Idaho State University where she was president of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honorary organization for financial information professionals. Kari has been practicing account-ing for seven years.

She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Idaho Society of Public Accountants.



37SPRING 2014

Jason D. Scott, ’93, BBA, Accounting- College of Business

Boise attorney Jason D. Scott is the newest district judge for Idaho’s 4th Judicial District. Appointed by Gov. Butch Otter Feb. 28. Scott will take over the Boise-based judgeship vacated by Ronald Wilper, who retired at the end of December.

Scott is a Pocatello native who has been a partner in the Boise law office of Hawley Troxell

Ennis & Hawley since 2007. He received a bach-elor’s degree from Idaho State University and his law degree from Duke University. Scott clerked for U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill for two years after law school.

--------- ALUMNI AUTHOR ---------

Dr. Susan Swetnam, ISU English Professor emeritus Susan Swetnam was honored by the Idaho Library Association with the Idaho Book Award for 2012.

Swetnam’s winning work, “Books, Bluster, and Bounty: Local Politics and Carnegie Library

Building Grants, 1898-1920,” was chosen from among all books which appeared that year writ-ten by Idaho authors or dealing with Idaho or western subjects.

Her book examines how proponents of books and reading in the Intermountain West at the turn of the twentieth century managed to inspire grassroots support among their fellow citizens for public library development. As it tells this historical story, the book offers inspiration and practical lessons for contemporary readers inter-ested in promoting cultural resources in their own communities.

Dr. Brian J. VanLenten, ’76, MS-Biology- College of Science & Engineering

Dr. VanLenten retired this past July after 32 years as a faculty member in the Division of Cardiology at The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He now has time to do fly fishing in Alaska and moose hunting in Canada.

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Have you received a promotion, landed a new job, relocated to a new city, been appointed to a board? Share the good news with ISU.

If you know of other ISU alumni who need to be lauded for their efforts, share that as well. You can send any information to [email protected] or post it on our Facebook page.

William “Leo” McKillip, former head football coach, Idaho State University

William “Leo” McKillip, 84, passed away in December 2013. He was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, the Dana College Hall of Fame in 2003 and Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

He was a high school star in McCook, played football at Notre Dame and brought a Dana College football program to life. But his favorite stories always took place off the field, said his son, Blaine. “He was really focused on how to develop people through sports,’’ Blaine McKillip said.

McKillip coached at Kimball High School, Idaho State University and St. Mary’s College (Calif.) and was a defensive coor-dinator at Edmonton and Winnipeg in the Canadian Football League and with the Washington Federals of the USFL in the 1980s.

--------- IN MEMORIAM ---------


38 TRACKINGS

39SPRING 2014

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ISU Magazine Spring 2014