The event began at 6:30 on Friday evening in Caldwell. Or, for the guest in the United Arab Emirates, 5:30 on Saturday morning.
The College of Idaho’s annual Scholarship Gala went virtual in 2021 and, as a result, people outside of the Boise Valley were able to attend remotely. The end result was another all-time giving record as the Gala raised over $550,000 toward student scholarships at the College.
“We couldn’t be more proud of all our supporters who came out in huge numbers to support us, despite the pandemic and the virtual environment,” said Vice President of College Relations Jack Cafferty. The event is traditionally in-person. But the new format opened the doors to people who couldn’t attend in person. Cafferty said well over 500 people registered to attend the event, coming from 14 different states and four countries, including the United Arab Emirates along with Canada and Mexico.
“Our alumni and friends of the College are so supportive,” Cafferty continued. “We are so fortunate to them all as our Yote Heroes that allow us to provide the world-class educational experience the College is known for.”
Yote Heroes was the theme of the event and it could not have proven to be more apt – despite the virtual setting, friends of the College contributed even more than last year’s total of $540,000. The program included several student testimonials about their Yote Heroes to highlight the purpose of the event. One of the items for auction – a female black-lab puppy, Cafferty said eventually sold for over $50,000.
Senior Shanaya Fox, a double-major in biomedical sciences and psychology, provided the keynote student address. Originally from the Boise area, Fox explained she initially felt like she wanted to leave Idaho to continue her education. But she attended an admitted-student event on campus and immediately felt like she was wanted here, which made her want to attend. She submitted her deposit that day and the financial-aid package she received made the College affordable for her. Watch her testimonial here.
To find more of testimonials from students, alumni, and friends of the College from the 2021 Scholarship Gala, visit playlist on the College’s YouTube channel. Or to view the entire 2021 Virtual Scholarship Gala event, click here.
The College of Idaho has a 130-year-old legacy of excellence. The College is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition, and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors, 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.