Tash Mahnokaren

Staff Writer

ISU honored several alumni, faculty and staff during homecoming 2014 at the President’s Alumni Recognition Dinner that took place Friday, Sept. 26 at the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello.

Honoring distinguished faculty, staff and alumni during homecoming at Idaho State University is a custom that dates back to the 1980s.

“We have a standing awards committee that meets early in the spring every year and we go through information that we get from various sources,” said K.C. Felt, executive director of alumni relations.

The standing awards committee consists of development officers, board members and former award recipients who make nominations.

Felt and her committee members then decide on the appropriate awards for individuals and make a decision on selected recipients to be submitted for approval by ISU President Arthur Vailas.

The prestige of these awards lie in the fact that only nine are given out each year.

This, according to Felt, maintains the validity of these long procured awards and ensures that the recipients are recognized on a greater scale.

Committee members consist of a select group of individuals who have had close ties with ISU for an extended period of time ranging from alumni, faculty, students and deans to name a few.  The members are well versed in the culture of ISU as well as the people that keep the university going.

“We cover all our bases in our constituency,” said Felt of reaching an informed decision.

Through these awards, the hope is to get individuals to share their stories and information about what they have done to achieve award recognition to guests at the President’s Alumni Recognition Reception and Dinner. Felt hopes that this will inspire the guests at the dinner to pursue their own similar desires.

“It helps in fostering growth for the university and creates a greater avenue for involvement of our alumni. We also involve the students in most of our activities,” she said.

Current ASISU President Kyle Son and former ASISU President Matt Bloxham were both in attendance, according to Felt.

Tradition is upheld at this yearly event in that efforts have been taken to ensure that little change has been made to proceedings since its inception. This is with the exception of two added awards.

In 2001, a new category called the President’s Medallion Awards was added.

Three of these awards are given out each year and individuals are awarded based on achievements through their personal and professional lives and distinctions they have brought to the university.

In an effort to honor students who have graduated fairly recently in the last ten years, the Young Alumni Award was added three years ago.

The Alumni Association hopes to continue fostering the relationship between alumni and the university.

The association has outreach programs that help young alumni who are fresh graduates and families with young children.

“We want them to know that you don’t have to give money to be a part of things, you can just participate and share your time, talent or energy,” said Felt.

This year’s kickoff event was held in conjunction with the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce in an effort to bring the community to ISU and inform them about the happenings at the university. The event also featured a silent auction and raffle. Proceeds from the raffle will go toward raising money for scholarships.

Below is a list of the 2014 award recipients:

Distinguished Alumnus Award – Merril D. Hoge

William J. Bartz Award – William M. “Bill” Eames

Achievement Award – Dr. Jennifer Eastman Attebery

Distinguished Service Award – Randy Gaines

President’s Medallion Awards – Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation, Idaho Central Credit Union and Lincoln C. and Linda J. Yamashita

Young Alumni Award – Dr. Alexander Bolinger

Parade Marshal – Dr. Ron and Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler