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ISU Hosts Second Annual Bengal Block Party, welcomes Pocatello community to campus

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho State University has been celebrating its 125th anniversary all week long with student activities, free giveaways, the President’s Fall Address, and the football game and tailgate on Saturday afternoon. The week culminated Friday evening with the second annual Bengal Block Party hosted on Martin Luthur King Way on campus. The event

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Idaho International Choral Festival Kicks off with Opening Ceremonies at Pebble Creek

Every three years, Pocatello and Idaho State University host the Idaho International Choir Festival, bringing elite singers from around the world to eastern Idaho to connect the community through diverse music. This morning was the opening ceremonies at Pebble Creek Ski Area, featuring performances from each of the participating choirs, remarks from dignitaries and exploration of the beautiful mountain scenary.

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Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University to launch Bachelor’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence Sciences this Fall

“This program reflects the strong collaboration between the mathematics & statistics and computer science departments,” said Emanuele Zappala, assistant professor in the mathematics and statistics department. “It is designed to give students both the theoretical background and the applied skills necessary to contribute meaningfully to the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence.”

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Jurassic toe: Idaho State paleontologists investigate possible new dinosaur

Turns out the key to discovering a new type of dinosaur might be a weird toe in an Idaho museum. 

Or a skull in Switzerland. 

Idaho State University paleontologists are examining whether these and other fossils represent one or more previously unidentified dinosaur species. They’ve laid their research out in a new study that has scientists rethinking long-confusing plant-eating Jurassic dinosaurs known as ornithopods.

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Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID

‘A difficult moment’: ISU announces sweeping changes amid budget constraints 

Idaho State University is reshaping itself with sweeping changes in the face of current and looming state budget cuts.

That includes merging colleges, restructuring programs, “modest” student fee hikes and a range of other changes starting July 1 to try and save and generate millions by year’s end. The university released a complete budget restructuring plan Wednesday. ISU President Robert Wagner overviewed the changes in an accompanying video.

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Museum of Natural History to host event on cartographic encounters and a rediscovery of the far west fur trade

Experience an evening honoring Indigenous Resilience as Dr. S. Matthew DeSpain presents traditional Far West fur trade history at Frazier Hall on January 28 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Throughout the event, DeSpain will reconceive traditional Far West fur trade history and emphasize how the mountain men and rendezvous are still heavily rooted in American expansionism, discovery, and exceptionalism. Therefore, encounter and centrality of Native peoples become the better means in rediscovering and rebalancing the history of the Far West fur trade.

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Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID

ISU expands international research footprint with new 5-year agreements in Asia and Latin America

“These partnerships connect ISU with leading global institutions, bringing new knowledge, innovation, and research opportunities that would benefit Idaho. From improving infrastructure and water management to advancing energy technologies and education, our collaborations help address challenges that matter to both parties.” said Mustafa Mashal, Special Advisor to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Professor of Civil Engineering at ISU. 

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ISU reveals Benny the Bengal Fierce New Look for school’s 125th Anniversary

“We are delighted to continue the tradition of entertaining fans at ISU events with Benny’s athletic prowess and good-natured humor,” said Pauline Thiros, athletic director. “With incredible institutional support, two ISU students reap the benefits of a financially sustainable education while enjoying their opportunity to engage with Bengals at events throughout their time at ISU.”

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ISU launches new Master’s in Geology with Geology Management Concentration

“This degree is specifically intended for people who are chomping at the bit to enter their geosciences career and move up into managerial roles,” said Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, professor and chair of the geosciences department at Idaho State. “While the traditional research-track offers a student an opportunity to gain expertise in a very narrow application, the new master’s with a concentration in geology management replaces the thesis work with targeted courses from the Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) program at Idaho State to ensure that the student has training in how businesses and management actually work.”

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Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University secures $1.2 million grant for scholarships for future STEM educators

“Scholars are engaged in an array of outreach and support activities to learn more about STEM teaching and learning; some of them are volunteering in schools,” said Cory A. Bennett, Ph.D., professor in the Teaching and Educational Studies (TES) Department and a leader of the project. “Some of them are helping out with different kinds of science or engineering fairs, and they’re getting involved with the education community in many different ways before they start taking their formal coursework in education.”

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Boo! It’s Science: ISU’s Haunted Science Laboratory returns October 25th

Now’s your chance to see the not-so-spooky side of science.

Idaho State University Department of Physics and Kiwanis Club of Pocatello’s Haunted Science Laboratory will be open to the public on Saturday, October 25, from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Bannock County Event Center, Commercial Building B, just north of the Pocatello Downs Grandstand. The Haunted Science Lab features a Van DeGraaf generator, lasers, and multiple educational and interactive science activities designed to delight, fright, and educate kids of all ages. Some exhibits use the same principles as Disneyland’s Haunted Science Mansion, except they are explained.

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Dr. Jeff Meldrum, beloved ISU professor and renowned “Bigfoot” expert, dies at 65

Meldrum was a pillar and the longest serving member of the university’s Department of Biological Sciences, where he had taught since 1993. Beyond the classroom, he gained recognition for his fascination and study of the legendary creature known as “Bigfoot” or Sasquatch, collecting one of the world’s largest collections of “Bigfoot” evidence. His work was featured in numerous documentaries and television programs on the legendary creature.

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ISU debuts new associate degree program in science

“I think the biggest thing is that we really designed it to be flexible,” said Dr. Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, professor and chair of ISU’s Geosciences Department. “We’ve had things like an associate in physics or in geology or in chemistry, and the problem is, with a two year degree, you’ve got to know so fast and sometimes you don’t; it’s not reasonable to know that fast. That’s why we really designed this one to maximize the flexibility and create pathways for students that then can go into any of these fields and get a foundation that will actually set them up successfully for that.”

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ISU & INL partner to strengthen domestic critical materials supply chain

“ISU and INL have a long history of successful partnerships and collaborations,” said ISU President Robert Wagner. “Establishing a critical and strategic materials center positions Idaho as a national leader in critical materials research, driving innovation and economic opportunity across the region while building America’s energy future and safeguarding national security. We continue to seek ways to enhance opportunities for ISU faculty and students to work directly with INL in finding innovative solutions to some of the nation’s most pressing challenges.”

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ISU’s School of Nursing using grant to expand education on opioid addiction treatment

Idaho State University’s School of Nursing recently received a $900,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to expand and implement coursework to prepare students to face Idaho’s opioid addiction epidemic.

According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Idaho experienced 264 opioid overdose deaths and nearly 600 emergency room visits related to opioid overdoses in 2023.

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ISU’s KISU radio station making programming changes to survive fallout from federal funding cuts

Managers of Idaho State University’s KISU public radio station say they have already started to pull back on programming and staff hours to keep the station running following federal budget cuts to public broadcasting.

“We got word from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that they would start to wind down their services and have a presence until the end of this year; after which, their offices would be closed,” said Jamon Anderson, general manager of KISU.

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Game Changer: New Esports Arena coming to ISU

Idaho State University (ISU) is thrilled to announce a major gift from Direct Communications Rockland, Inc. that will establish the new Direct Communications Esports Arena on the ISU campus. The partnership continues Direct Communications’ deep commitment to rural education and student enrichment across Idaho.

“This generous investment from Direct Communications expands access to cutting-edge technology for ISU students while strengthening our ability to support student wellness, teamwork, and innovation,” said President Robert W. Wagner. “We are incredibly grateful to Tim May and the outstanding Direct Communications team for their continued support of Idaho’s students.”

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ISU’s KISU public radio station braces for blowback from possible federal budget cuts

“The impact of the loss of CPB funding is going to be big, it’s going to be huge,” said Anderson. “I think we’ve got funding in place for this current fiscal year, but we’re going to spend the next 11 months really trying to increase the amount that we’re getting from some of those other areas with the goal of continuing on with increased business support and, of course, donations.”

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ISU Robotics Club to defend national title at competition next week

“I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Brody Holyoak, senior clinical instructor for ISU’s Robotics Program. “I like to push my students, and this is a great way to help push them to get to something that’s like, ‘this isn’t just the end of a test, it isn’t just a section, it isn’t just this module, it isn’t just this semester.’ This is kind of the culmination of everything that we teach here in the program.”

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Two new parent spaces added to Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus

Idaho State University recently added two new ‘lactation pods’ to their Pocatello campus to give breastfeeding mothers a private space to feed their children.

The pods are located in the lobbies of the Physical Science Complex and Garrison Hall and feature lockable doors, outlets for breast pumps, and space for strollers; with the new additions, there are six total designated parent spaces on Idaho State’s Pocatello campus.

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ISU spring commencement set for Saturday

Idaho State University will hold commencement ceremonies for spring and summer 2025 graduates on Saturday, May 10.

2,145 graduates will receive degrees and certificates at this spring’s commencement. Ceremonies will kick off on Friday at noon with the traditional ‘March through the Arch’ celebration at the Swanson Arch on the ISU campus.

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ISU hosts hundreds of local students for Bengal STEM Day

“We’ve got so much stuff with science we can be doing that’s hands on, that’s interactive, that schools don’t necessarily have the resources to do,” said Dr. Shannon Kobs Nawotniak, chair of ISU’s Department of Geosciences. “It’s important for us to actually bring this to the schools, and we do that directly to them or events like this where they can come straight to us.”

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Pocatello multi-faith organization hosts ISU’s President Wagner

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI)– The Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship, a community organization comprised of area religions, hosted Idaho State University’s president Robert Wagner at the Pocatello Mosque on Thursday. At the event, Pocatello religious leaders discussed how the Interfaith Fellowship could better serve members of the university community. “We rely upon our faith based and our

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