Thursday, November 13, 2025

New Findings Show Ancient Intermountain West was Once Covered in Sea Sponges

Leif Tapanila director of the Idaho Museum of Natural History and professor of geosciences at Idaho State University poses for a photo holding a piece of chert containing spicules

The Phosphoria Sea was an ancient body of water located off the west coast of prehistoric North America, existing approximately 275 million years ago. Today, its geological remnants in East Idaho host phosphate mines for fertilizer, and researchers now know a good chunk of the prehistoric Intermountain West was once blanketed in sea sponges.

› Read More about the Research ‹

Idaho Museum of Natural History, University of Idaho New Partnership

A landmark partnership between the Idaho Museum of Natural History at ISU and the University of Idaho is strengthening statewide collaboration between Idaho’s public universities and bringing natural history exhibits and educational programming to northern Idaho through the creation of a North Idaho Affiliate of the museum.

› Read More about the Partnership ‹

Champions On and Off the Field: 2025 Sports Hall of Fame

Established in the 1960s and revived in the 1970s to celebrate athletic excellence, the ISU Sports Hall of Fame has long recognized those whose achievements elevated the reputation of the university and left a lasting mark on its athletics programs. The 2025 Sports Hall of Fame welcomes a new class of athletes.

› Read More About the 2025 Inductees ‹

Important Announcements and Updates

Empathy Across Borders: Director Jorge Villalobos Closes ISU’s Hispanic Film Festival 2025

Professor Interrogates Animals in Performance at 2025 ASTR Conference

ISU Meridian Students Recognize Importance of Legislative Advocacy

2025 National Outdoor Book Award Winners

Jerrica Kenison Appointed as Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Pregnant and Parenting Students

Training Resources

Discover Your Strengths with CliftonStrengths®

ISU Staff Council Offers Training Financial Awards

ISU Event Calendar

ISU Athletics Calendar

Idaho State Today

Idaho State Today is a twice-weekly employee newsletter that shares University successes, campus updates, and recognizes faculty and staff accomplishments. All past editions of the newsletter are archived online.

To submit a campus update or story for Idaho State Today, fill out the online form by Friday at noon for Monday's edition, and Wednesday at noon for Thursday's edition. A separate newsletter called ROAR Weekly is sent to students on Wednesdays.

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