Micron donates $12.5M to Idaho university

By Ann Steffora Mutschler -- Electronic News, 1/19/2007

Micron Technology Inc. announced today that The Micron Technology Foundation has gifted Boise State University with $12.5 million to help fund a new state-of-the-art building for the College of Business and Economics.

The proposed building will be located at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and University Drive in Boise, Idaho, and will serve as a gateway to the university from the west, the two said. The total project is expected to be approximately $31 million.

Steve Appleton, Micron chairman, CEO and president said in a statement, “Boise State University has been a great partner in education, helping Micron and others achieve success through the success of its faculty and students. Boise State is an institution that continues to increase its contributions to the community, the state of Idaho and the nation. We are pleased to participate in the university’s efforts to again reach new levels of excellence.”

The university announced the location of the new business building in June when it purchased the University Inn, currently located at the planned site, for $3.2 million. The university plans to seek approval for the project from the State Board of Education early this year. Pending approval and success in raising additional funds, construction could begin as early as spring 2008.

The Micron gift includes $5 million in matching funds for additional donations to the business building.

Final programming and detailed design for the building will begin in earnest upon State Board of Education approval. It is expected that in addition to modern instructional facilities, the building will include a high-tech financial trading center where students are exposed to the latest practices in money management; a center for student services; a center for economic development; and a center for innovation. Prominent public spaces where students, faculty, business leaders and government officials can interact are also envisioned. The building will be a significant undertaking for the campus, according to James Maguire, associate VP for campus planning and facilities.

Student enrollment in business programs has grown from 1,000 business majors in 1970, when the current business building opened, to nearly 3,000 students. Some existing classrooms have been retrofitted with the latest technology, but continuing to train a growing number of students will require a new facility.