Idaho State University

School Description

Idaho State University School Description

Idaho State University is a broad-based regional public doctoral university, providing a broad range of educational services to a culturally diverse population of students and to the state. The university is Idaho's center for education in the health professions.

Idaho State University offers a wide array of academic programs: in the health professions and related biological and physical sciences and educator preparation (its areas of primary emphasis); in business and engineering education and technical training (its areas of continuing emphasis); and in the liberal arts. It is committed to maintaining a strong liberal arts and sciences program as the basis of other academic disciplines and as an independent, multifaceted field of inquiry.

The university offers graduate programs in a number of fields and is a national center for the Doctor of Arts degree. Its College of Technology provides high-quality education and training in response to the needs of students and private industry. Idaho State University is dedicated to excellence in teaching. The university engages in sustained and significant research as an essential component of its academic and public service programs. It views public service as an integral part of its mission. Idaho State University is committed to providing accessible, high quality education to the diverse citizenry of its region and state, and delivers comprehensive and creative outreach programs using the latest available technology. The university works in collaboration with other state and regional postsecondary institutions in serving its constituencies.

The university offers a range of academic and support services to help all students succeed. It encourages student and public participation in its cultural, recreational and athletic programs, and welcomes the continuing involvement of alumni and other friends in its endeavors.

Idaho State University

Idaho State University is a public university operated by Idaho. Its main campus is in Pocatello with outreach programs in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Boise, and Twin Falls.

ISU has more than 280 programs. Its seven colleges offer programs in the natural and physical sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts, education, engineering, business, pharmacy, and technology.

Enrollment for fall semester 2007 was 13,208 students. ISU previously enrolled a large number of older, non-traditional students who live and work off-campus; this demographic is making up less of ISU's population as it attempts a transition towards a more traditional undergraduate population. The student-teacher ratio at ISU is 17:1.

Notable programs at ISU include pharmacy, biology, liberal arts, business and health care.

History

On March 11, 1901, Governor Frank W. Hunt signed Senate Bill 53 establishing the Academy of Idaho contingent upon private land donations being made for its site. The Academy of Idaho was officially opened in Pocatello on May 1, 1901². By 1910 enrollment had reached nearly 300 students. The academy purchased four city blocks in Pocatello to help meet its needs.

In 1915, it became Idaho Technical Institute. The end of World War I brought an influx of students to the school, and the enrollment surged to over 1,000 students. The early 1920s saw the beginning of intercollegiate competition. At this time the institute adopted the Bengal as the school mascot, as one of its early coaches was from Princeton. Princeton's colors are also black & orange, and its mascot is the tiger.

In 1927 the school was renamed the University of Idaho - Southern Branch. In 1947 it was renamed Idaho State College and became a four-year school for the first time. The following year its enrollment reached 2,000.