ISU pride beaming with new school year start

On Ed Read’s front window, you’ll find a message for Idaho State University students: “Welcome Back Orange and Black.”

While the Read family does it because they’re lifelong Pocatellans, the display is also a family celebration. Both Read family children have walked the halls of ISU.

“To have both (of my kids) go through ISU and get an education—it’s better than what mom and dad has done,” Read said. “It’s great.”

The Read family’s display is just one of many in the Pocatello-Chubbuck area. A 10-minute drive around town helps you spot how many businesses in the area use art to welcome back ISU students, usually with a ‘Go Bengals!’ or ‘Welcome Back Orange and Black!’ message.

Local artist Laraine Hatch is the face behind a lot of the “welcome back” artwork. As a native of the Gate City, she said the support is mutual and beneficial.

“(ISU is) kind of as important to Pocatello as a railroad is. It keeps a lot of people hired. It supports us so we support them,” Hatch said.

All of the “communiversity” support helps the students feel right at home.

“You can go anywhere in any business and you’ll see all ISU gear. It just has that campus feel anywhere you go,” said Tatum Lefler, a sophomore at ISU.

For the past seven years, the area has held a “Welcome Back Orange and Black” party for new and old ISU students. This year, around 65 businesses and organizations participated in the party.