ISU Breaks Ground on New Alumni Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 07/15/21

Officials gathered last week on the campus of Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, to break ground on a new alumni center. Representatives of the university and the Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), a donor for the project, met on July 8 to mark the first step of construction of the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center. The building will be the first addition to the campus in 20 years.

ISU President Kevin Satterlee spoke before the ceremony about the need for an on-campus gathering space for students and alumni alike. “This center means more than all of those parts and those pieces when they come together, because this center means we are again demonstrating to our community that we are investing in the future of this university,” he said.

The new facility measures in at 26,281 square feet, and it has been in the planning stages for more than 20 years. The project has remained in limbo for so long because of its price tag: $11.5 million. Alumni and donors worked for years to raise the private funds. In 2017, late alumnus Jack R. Wheatley jump-started the project with a $2 million contribution. Officials have raised another $6 million since then, including $1.5 million from the Idaho Central Credit Union.

The facility will also serve as an events center, contain meeting and board rooms, and feature displays honoring alumni. Construction is scheduled for completion by spring 2023.

“Today, this event marks the first official groundbreaking ceremony for a new building on this campus in more than a decade,” said Satterlee. “This Idaho State University alumni center will serve as the new hub on this campus where we will greet Bengali on their return home, provide a meeting place for our alumni and host our community to bring them to events and events on our campus. It will serve as the home for many key operations and will be a welcome new place for all new Bengali to join our family. That means this facility for the future of Idaho State University.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Brightly Software, XOi Partner for New HVAC Data Solution

    Siemens company Brightly Software recently announced a partnership with data intelligence company XOi to integrate real-time HVAC system data into Brightly’s Asset Essentials CMMS, according to a news release. The integration will allow facilities more insight into HVAC system performance, health, and risk across their operations.

  • Colorado State University Global, SCTE Launch Online Certificate Program

    Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), based in Denver, Colo., recently announced a partnership with CableLabs subsidiary the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) to launch an online certificate training program for broadband professionals, according to a news release.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • University of Utah Launches Utah 360 App

    The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, recently announced that it has partnered with digital engagement hub Pathify to launch a new app for the university community, according to a news release.