ISU says farewell to outgoing president

After 12 years, President Arthur Vailas is saying good-bye to Idaho State University. At his farewell reception, he spoke about some of his proudest achievements during his presidency. Those included being a part of starting Idaho’s first medical school, creating career path internships for students, beautifying campus, the Veteran Student Service Center and making education more affordable.

“I thoroughly enjoyed all of these 12 years about students and how I can make education more accessible, more interesting and relevant to the real world,” President Vailas said. “And also, you know, affordability. Scholarships and things like that.”

His colleagues say they will miss a lot of things about him including his leadership skills, being all in for the university and just him.

“Just his presence,” said Lynette Mitchell, assistant vice president of the ISU Finance Administration. “He and the first lady Laura. I’m gonna miss seeing them around and getting their input and advice on everything.”

Vailas says he will miss the Idaho outdoors and working with the legislature, but there is one thing he will miss most of all.

“The students,” he said. “I think students are great here in Idaho. They come from all walks of life, but they come from all over the world. You know, we globalized the campus. Brought in a lot of foreign students too. And, but I’m going to miss the students, being with the students. I’ve been fortunate as president to have great student leadership.”

Vailas will officially retire in mid-June. He will be replaced by Kevin Satterlee.

Vailas says he and his wife plan to live in New Hampshire, where they are both originally from, but when it’s cold out, they will go to Sedona, Arizona to be near their grandkids.