LIA BRIEFS

Congratulations to Sara Schmidt, Class 9, who was honored at the Silver and Gold Celebration by the University of Idaho for her contribution and support of U of I. Great showing for a graduate of College of Idaho!

Sara also led the charge to bring the Ag Ed and Natural Resource Initiative before the Idaho Legislature. Sara was recognized by the Idaho FFA Association at their recent state conference with a special Distinguished Service Award for her leadership in this effort.

Recognized with the Honorary State FFA Degree at the State FFA Leadership Conference was Kim Royer, Class 24.

The Royer family celebrated even more last week in Twin Falls, when Kim’s son, Mitch Royer, was elected the new State FFA president. Mitch is a senior, and has enrolled at U of I CALS as a Food Science major for the fall. In other family news, Kaycee is graduating in May with her BS in Agriculture Economics and has been accepted into 3 different law schools.  She is a VANDAL at heart, and will be staying right in Moscow at the College of Law.  She plans to study Environmental and Natural Resource law, and intends to pursue a career in Ag Law.

Darcy Helmick, Class 32, has been promoted to Land Manager at Simplot, following the retirement of her supervisor. Darcy was attending a Public Lands Council meeting in Washington DC when the LIA group was there in April, and was able to join the group one evening for dinner.

In tracking down an email for Beth Parkinson, Class 27, we learned that she and her husband, Bing, are in Grenada where he is attending medical school. Bing has one more year of school to complete, after which the family plans to return to the U.S.

May 20 is a big day for Caroline Nilsson-Troy, Class 15, candidate for the Idaho Legislature in District 5, an open seat formerly held by Rep. Shirley Ringo.

Sympathy is extended to LIA Trustee Pat Purdy, Class 30, and his family in the passing of Pat’s Grandpa Bud Purdy, 96 years young.  Bud was a leader in the Idaho cattle industry for many years and a major player in the creation and success of Picabo Land and Livestock. A service in honor of Bud’s life will be held on Sunday, May 4.

Afton Patrick, wife of Jim Patrick, Class 15, is a finalist for a position on the State Board of Education. Afton spent over 45 years in public education. The appointment will be made by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter.

Kendra Waitley, Class 32, LIA Fund Development Director, has announced that she and Glenn Dustin will be married Sunday, May 25, in Nashville, TN.  Father-of-the-bride Rick Waitley will be performing the ceremony.

Note cards have been sent to over 1500 potential candidates for LIA Class 35. Applications are due by August 1. If you know of someone who should consider being a member of this class, please let them know the application deadline. Candidates must reach their 26th birthday before the first session in November. Tuition for Class 35 is $2,400. Scholarships are available.

 June 30 is the end of the fiscal year for LIA. If anyone has outstanding LIA bills to pay - from the auction or other activities - please be aware of this date and make the payments accordingly.