Letter From the President
The University of Idaho and innovation go hand in hand. For 135 years, we’ve developed solutions that propel our state forward, while stewarding our valuable natural resources responsibly.
This issue of Here We Have Idaho features stories of Vandals shaping the future with thoughtfulness and care for those who come after us. In every college and nearly every discipline, we find examples of students and faculty devising sustainable solutions to our state’s toughest challenges.
A U of I team is transforming Idaho wood waste into reliable building materials via 3D printing. The PrinTimber project could revolutionize the construction industry and provide a valuable outlet for the immense waste from lumber mill production.
Four new faculty members in the College of Science embrace our commitment to sustainable solutions through their research. They ask big questions — from how we produce chemicals to how trees use water.
Forest management is critical to Idaho industry and affects animals like the Northern Idaho ground squirrel. Researcher Alice Morris explores how soil types may prevent the threatened squirrels from expanding their territory.
In the College of Art and Architecture, our students take a holistic approach to sustainable design. Inspired by her own experience, Ainsley Bauer crafted an award-winning chair that feels comfortable and looks great.
The U of I’s Prison Education Initiative welcomed its first cohort in 2022 and will soon operate in three Idaho facilities. The program provides new opportunities for incarcerated individuals and aims to reduce recidivism rates.
Some of Idaho’s tastiest products get a boost through the U of I Food Technology Center in Caldwell. The center supports the growth of companies like Zacca Hummus by providing processing and educational assistance, among other services.
You’ll also learn about U of I researchers’ work to sustain the lamprey populations in Idaho and about a student who spent an entire semester student teaching in Germany, creating a pathway for future education students to teach abroad.
Our impactful research combined with a rich student experience make the University of Idaho the standard bearer for higher education in our state. Our innovative solutions support industry and our natural resources and ensure a bright future for all of Idaho’s citizens.
Go Vandals!
Published in the Spring 2024 issue of Here We Have Idaho.
