President Charlotte Borst announces her plans to step down as president of The College of Idaho to pursue new opportunities. Former C of I president Dr. Bob Hoover will assume the role of Interim President.
“After considerable discussion and deliberation, I have decided that the time is right to pursue other opportunities in higher education and to support a transition to new leadership. It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as President of the College of Idaho,” said Dr. Borst. “My husband Rick and I have loved Idaho, and we appreciated our time in Caldwell and at the College. I am proud of the many great accomplishments of our team and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such high-caliber students, faculty, and staff. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and spending more time with my family.”
Borst was appointed the C of I’s 13th president in 2015. During her tenure, the College was recently recognized in The Princeton Review’s 2018 edition of The Best 382 Colleges, an honor given only to the top 15% of America’s four-year colleges; has embarked on two large student housing renovation projects; and is nearing completion of the new, state-of-the-art Cruzen-Murray Library. A new 5-year Strategic Plan has also been completed.
“During her tenure, President Borst has been an energetic force not only at the College, but in the Caldwell and greater Boise Valley communities. We appreciate the tireless energy, effort, and service that President Borst has brought to the College. She and her husband Rick have been a constant presence on the campus and will be missed,” said Laura Turner, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the College.
“While the College begins the search for a successor, we are pleased to announce the return of a former President of the College, Dr. Bob Hoover, who has agreed to serve as Interim President, effective immediately. Bob will serve through such time as we’re able to conclude the search for a successor to Dr. Borst. The search process will begin immediately and is expected to be concluded by June of 2018,” said Turner.
Bob joined Albertson College of Idaho in August 2003 and served as President to July 2009. He was associated with driving programs to increase enrollment and during his C of I tenure, new student enrollment increased by 21% and total enrollment in the fall 2009 exceeded 1000 students for the first time in the College’s history. Also, during those years, he was involved in building the College’s financial standing through significant gifts. For example, between 2005 and 2007, the college received $72 million in gifts from the Albertson Foundation of which $50 million was added to the college’s endowment and the college returned to its original name --The College of Idaho. The $50 million awarded to the College was the largest gift ever to an Idaho college or university.
Prior to coming to the C of I, Bob was the President of the University of Idaho from July 1996 to July 2003. While at the UI he led a $130 million fundraising campaign and focused successfully on growing the university’s undergraduate and graduate enrollment. By June 2003 when Bob left the UI, the university had completed, had underway, or had gained state approval of over $200 million in UI construction and renovation projects.
Most recently he was President and CEO of the Idaho Community Foundation. When he assumed the ICF presidency in 2009, Idaho was in a deep economic recession and its assets were $55 million including $42 million in the foundation’s endowment. When he announced his retirement in February 2015, its assets were $124 million including $104 million in endowment. The number of funds in the foundation increased from 379 to 519 and sum of grants awarded across Idaho during his tenure was $54 million.
“My wife Leslee and I have enjoyed our retirement, but we are looking forward to returning to the Caldwell community for the next ten months or so and especially look forward to working with the great students, faculty, staff, alumni and Board of Trustees of the College of Idaho. There is strong momentum at the College and we want to make sure there is a seamless transition to the 14th president.”
The College of Idaho has a 125-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, four NFL players and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu