Austen Hunzeker
Reporter
Over 100 people gathered in the Stephens Performing Arts Center Friday, September 13th, for Idaho State University President Robert W. Wagner’s inaugural address, which discussed the university’s history and its future. The ceremony began with a video montage featuring a variety of campus activities, with intense instrumental music playing in the background. It highlighted students and their passions in class, on campus, and in the community. Following the video, Neelam Mishra, President of Associated Students at ISU, welcomed those in attendance. Mishra announced, “This inauguration is not just a ceremony of events as we welcome new leadership; it is a day that marks the beginning of a new journey of Idaho State University.”
Dr. Amanda Zink, Vice Chair and English professor at ISU, read ISU’s Institutional Land Acknowledgement, which recognizes the land in which ISU is located as within the original Fort Hall Reservation boundaries, the ancestral home of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples. Zink then introduced the Shoshone-Bannock High School Dance Troup and Ghost Canyon Singers to the stage to perform. Idaho State Board of Education President, Dr. Linda Clark, then welcomed Wagner to the stage to give his inaugural address.
Wagner began by thanking all in attendance, especially his family, Dr. Clark, Idaho Superintendent of Public Administration Debbie Critchfield, members of the Idaho State Legislature, leaders and members of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, ISU foundation and alumni board members, ISU faculty, staff, students and more.
Wagner highlighted the history of ISU and the growth it has experienced in the last 100 years. He compared ISU to a grand oak tree, sharing how changing conditions related to dramatic economic uncertainty, global pandemics, changing demographics, political and cultural unrest and diminishing confidence in the value of higher education have allowed the university to rely on its strong root system and grow with new opportunities.
“When I began my tenure in January 2024, I witnessed an institution that had come a long way, with a storied history of dedication and contribution by its institutional community, including our wonderful faculty, students, and staff and great alumni,” Wagner said, “Through impactful successes and significant challenges, ISU now houses a new strategic plan with a focus on the values of integrity, inclusivity, shared responsibility, community, teamwork and learning. Its institutional vision is to inspire passion for knowledge and discovery. Its mission is to engage students through learning and research opportunities that improve the intellectual vigor, cultural vitality and health of our communities.”
Wagner shared five university goals:
- Increase student success, student access, opportunity and retention.
- Strengthen programmatic excellence.
- Cultivate external partnerships.
- Expand research, clinical and creative activities.
- Energize the Bengal community.
“I believe this vision with its mission and shared values has led to goals that rely on ISU’s deep root system and extend its reach of impact and influence,” Wagner stated.
Wagner also shared the accomplishments ISU has continued to experience despite the economic struggles associated with COVID-19.
According to Wagner, these accomplishments include “three straight years of enrollment growth, including an increase of over 300 students this fall alone, a 10.9% increase in student retention, 12% increase in endowment funds, a 56% increase in Bengal Giving Day funds raised, $9.7 million or 48.5% increase in research expenditures, a $9.2 million or 60% deficit reduction from FY 2024 and new and expanded academic programs while repurposing programs with less impact.”
“In particular, I want to commend the institutional community for a budget optimization process that does not come without sacrifice and extra dedicated effort,” Wagner said. “ISU’s root system is being fortified with strong financial principles of trust, transparency and inclusivity and budget development and administration.”
Wagner spent his first several months as ISU’s 14th president listening to the university community in an initiative called “Bold Path Forward.” Using his findings from this initiative, he announced to the audience plans to operate under a new framework called Opportunity-Aligned Resourcing.
“Opportunity-aligned resourcing is a forward-thinking framework for strategic institutional growth and sustainability,” Wagner explained.
According to Wagner, strategies and resources in this framework in the next year will be focused on enrollment growth and student success, academic and research focus, advancing and enhancing physical infrastructure, external relations and partnerships, and employee engagement, empowerment and connection.
“Students first and always,” Wagner said with applause from the audience.
In connection to these aspects of focus, ISU is currently creating a comprehensive Campus Master Plan as well as planning to launch its first comprehensive capital campaign in 25 years.
“We stand at a pivotal moment in the history of Idaho State University,” Wagner began, “Our roots run deep, and our commitment to each other and the communities we serve is unwavering. As we look to the future I see not just a continuation of our proud past, but the promise of a new era, an era of growth, innovation and impact.”
It’s obvious President Wagner is committed to making Idaho State University the inclusive, collaborative, and successful community it can be. With his profound motivation and outright passion for higher education, Idaho State is no doubt headed in a good direction with President Wagner.
