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Graphic image. On the left is a photo of a girl smiling. The text says "Newsletter College of Arts and Letters July 2024)

Supporting Students with Benny's Pantry

"Little things that fill gaps help people’s dreams come true."

Students in the Student Union Building chat at tables
Read how our community supports ISU students 

Remembering Dr. Pfister

Headshot of Tom Pfister

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Thomas J. Pfister, Senior Lecturer in English (1996 - 2023). Known for his remarkable talent, generosity, and dedication to his students, Tom's legacy includes his original collagraph prints adorning the walls of the English Department and his unforgettable impersonations of literary characters. His kindness and wide-ranging intelligence have left a lasting impact on our community. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Read about Tom Pfister's lasting legacy and kindness
A photo collage featuring Thomas: He is bent down petting a dog, he is laughing with a co-worker, he is standing with 3 other men at a table serving coffee

Intern of the Month

Congratulations to Psychology major, Marlon Thomas, on being recognized as the July Career Path Intern of the Month! His commitment to developing a peer mentoring program for veterans and supporting initiatives like the annual Homeless Stand Down event at ISU's Veterans Student Services Center is truly inspiring!

CPI of the month
Hey students, what are you most looking forward to this semester?
Meeting new people and making friends
Participating in campus events and activities
Exploring new academic subjects and classes
Joining clubs and organizations
Improving my academic performance
Photo of Chloe. She is sitting outside among green foliage. The text says "Congratulations"

Outstanding Essay Award Winner

Congratulations to Chloe Lemmon! Chloe received an award for her outstanding essay titled "Ethics in Invasive Species Management," submitted in Dr. Brent Wolter's English 1102 class. Chloe is a Biology major with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation. Well done, Chloe! 

Marie Stango stands at the front of Pocatello High School classroom giving a presentation. Students in the class look at her. One student is raising his hand.

The Unsung Heroes of Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment programs are a powerful bridge between high school and college, offering students a head start on their higher education journey. At the heart of these programs are dedicated liaisons who ensure the seamless integration of high school courses with college standards. One such exceptional liaison is Marie Stango.

Read about the teachers behind dual enrollment

Dean Kandi Turley Ames appointed as Interim Vice President for Advancement

We are thrilled to announce Dr. Kandi Turley-Ames' appointment as Interim Vice President for Advancement at Idaho State University!


With 27 years of distinguished service, Dr. Turley-Ames is ready to lead ISU through this transition. She remains committed to the College of Arts and Letters and is confident in her supportive leadership team.

Leadership Changes
Headshot of Laura Ahola-Young

Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

The Office of the Provost has named Professor Laura Ahola-Young, of the Department of Art, to the position of Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. Ahola-Young has served the institution as Faculty Ombuds, Faculty Senate co-Chair, Faculty Senator, and as Interim Chair of the Department of Art. She is known across campus for her work in building a supportive environment for the advancement of faculty and students.

Ahola-Young
John Gribas stands outside. He holds up a copy of his book.

John Gribas Book Publication

Congratulations to John Gribas on the publication of his book, Exploring Character Through Structural Metaphor, coauthored with Angeline Underwood. In addition to offering a clear and followable guide for character analysis, the authors draw on personal experience to demonstrate how applying this method for character analysis could impact both performance and production.

Book Publication
A group of faculty members meet at a conference table to discuss ideas

Faculty Research Development Initiative in Collaboration with Office for Research



 “There’s a common misconception that the liberal arts are somehow divorced from the rest of the world,” Levay says, “but our faculty work on projects that provide immediate, real-world impact. The Office for Research recognizes that these are important to the mission of the university as a whole. There are so many projects that can happen, so much more we can contribute to the university and the world.” 

Read more about faculty research support

Interviewing Award Winning Film Directors

ISU students recently engaged with prominent figures in the arts through two insightful interviews. Assistant Professor Jose Eduardo Villalobos Graillet and Spanish M.A. student Hillary Buckner spoke with renowned writer and director Aaron Mark about his Amazon Prime series The Horror of Dolores Roach, examining how it uses metaphors of consumption to address themes of oppression and gentrification in the Latinx community. Read more here...


In another exciting session, Professor Marin Laufenberg's Spanish M.A. students interacted with Argentine film directors Sofía Jallinsky and Juan Pablo Basovih Marinaro, who discussed their film Estertor. This film employs dark humor to explore Argentina's historical traumas, enriching students' understanding of how humor can reflect and cope with societal challenges. Read more here...

Zoom screenshot of Aaron Mark, Professor Villalobos, and Hillary Buckner

Hillary Buckner, Eduardo Villalobos, and Aaron Mark meet over zoom.

screen shot of film directors Sofía Jallinsky and Juan Pablo Basovih Marinaro via Zoom

Film directors Sofía Jallinsky and Juan Pablo Basovih Marinaro meet with students via Zoom

Neiwirth sits at a grand piano on a stage. Young stands next to it holding his tuba.

Award Winning Album

Congratulations to ISU Professors Dr. Patrick Young and Mark Neiwirth for their award-winning album "Counting Rests," which has earned two silver medals from the Global Music Awards in instrumental performance and creativity/originality.

Read the full story...

Listen on Spotify
Listen on YouTube

Homecoming Awards

Dr. Nicki Chopski 

   ISU Distinguished Alumna

 

Dr. Linda & Dr. Ronald Hatzenbuehler

    President's Medallion

 

Mr. Wade & Mrs. Karen Tolman 

   William J. Bartz Award 

 

Dr. Christopher DeCou 

   Young Alumnus Award


Dr. Cindy Hill

   ISU Achievement Award

 

Dr. James "Byrd" Yizar, Jr.

   ISU Distinguished Service Award

 

Mrs. Sharon & Mr. Park Price, III

   Parade Marshals

Homecoming Awards

Farewell to Major Goering and Seargent Cruz

Best of wishes for the next stage of your journey!

Professor Carr, Dean Kandi Turley Ames, Professor Viallobos Graillet

Spanish for Heritage Speakers

The Department of Anthropology and Languages at Idaho State University (ISU) is excited to introduce SPAN 2221: Spanish for Heritage Speakers, taught by Assistant Professor Jose Eduardo Villalobos Graillet. This new undergraduate course aims to support bilingual students with a background in Spanish and English or a deep connection to Hispanic cultures. 

Additionally, ISU has implemented a vertical credit system for foreign language courses, allowing Spanish heritage speakers to earn up to eight credits (one full year of language credits) without completing all the required courses. Students who enroll in the Spanish for Heritage Speakers course (SPAN 2221) and achieve a grade of B minus or higher can receive credit for Spanish 1101 and 1102 for a fee of $20. This system leverages students' existing language skills, enabling them to advance more quickly toward graduation and their degree.

Spanish for Heritage Speakers
Panelists sit at a table and one of them is speaking in a microphone

Join ISU’s International Affairs Council Student Club to Lead and Connect Globally


The International Affairs Council (IAC)  is seeking driven students from all majors to join their club. Ideal for those interested in organizing a major event and connecting with global professionals and leaders, the IAC offers an opportunity to contribute to a significant community event and build valuable career connections and skills.

Learn more about joining the IAC!

Events

Poster showing a photo of a person throwing cornhole bags at a cornhole board, and a person playing volleyball. Text says "Bengal Welcome Week Party and Cornhole Tournament"
A tee shirt. It is black with a graphic image of a cornhole board, and the words "2024 Cornhole"

Get ready for the 2024 Bengal Welcome Week Party and Cornhole Tournament!


Join us on the Quad on Friday, August 23

Lawn games, drinks, ice cream, pizza!

Tournament begins at noon.


Exclusive cornhole shirts will be given to the first 50 teams to check-in for the tournament, so get ahead by pre-registering!

$500 to the first place team!


Register for Cornhole Here!

Join our ISU music ensembles!

Join our ISU music ensembles—bands, choirs, and orchestras are open to all ISU students, regardless of major or minor. Continue to follow your passion for music with scholarships available for non-majors. Contact the department for more information.

Resource for Mental Health Professionals:

The Department of Psychology at Idaho State University, under the encouragement of Sarah Emert, Ph.D., is excited to share CBTNightmaresweb.org, a newly launched, free web-based training program for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares (CBT-N). This comprehensive resource offers evidence-based treatments to improve sleep and nightmares, with a wealth of tools including informational videos, therapy demonstrations, and interactive components. Available at no cost, this platform provides an invaluable opportunity for clinicians and mental health professionals to enhance their understanding and application of CBT-N techniques. We encourage mental health professionals who have clients who experience nightmares to take advantage of this innovative and accessible resource to support better mental health. Consultation services are also available through the training program!