University Of Idaho Student First Recipient Of Crapo Math And Science Scholarship

Moscow - Calling it a positive sign of Idaho's commitment to global competitiveness, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo today announced the first recipient of the Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship Fund. Crapo, who has been recognized for leadership in education issues, announced the scholarship effort in 2004 as a way to encourage Idaho's best students to seek math, science and other technical education at Idaho's universities.

Crapo was joined by University of Idaho President Steven Daley-Laursen and Hilarie Engle of the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) for the announcement. ICF, led by President and CEO Cathy Silak, administers the scholarship fund, which was started with Crapo's honoraria donations and has since grown through many contributors through the ICF.

Karen Christian, a Moscow resident planning to study pharmacology and microbiology at the University of Idaho, was selected through a competitive process at ICF to be the first recipient of the Crapo scholarship. She begins classes at the University of Idaho on August 25th. Karen was joined by her parents, Ed and Kathy Christian, for the announcement.

"It is critical for Idaho's, and America's, future to remain competitive in the world economy, and the best way to do that is offer our best and brightest students a top-notch technical education and the math and science basics," Crapo said. "Our future efforts in technology and research rely heavily on the math and science education provided by Idaho's universities, and I am proud to stand on the University of Idaho campus today and see Karen Christian begin what I hope will be a long-running scholarship program."

"We are delighted that Karen has chosen to pursue her passion for science at the University of Idaho," said President Daley-Laursen. "Senator Crapo's foresight and generosity and the Idaho Community Foundation's excellent stewardship will foster many future Idaho students' passion for science and mathematics. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is critical to preparing our young people for success in college and success in career, and we are very grateful for the support of the Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship Fund."

"We are so pleased to begin making awards from the fund," said CEO Silak. "Providing students with higher education aid is one of the best possible ways to help students as individuals and the state as a whole, and we appreciate the opportunity to work with Senator Crapo on this worthy project."

"Being selected for the Mike Crapo Scholarship for Math and Science will help me throughout my first year at the University of Idaho," said Karen Christian. "It is an honor to be chosen for this scholarship."

Students interested in applying for the scholarships should go to the scholarship section of the ICF Web site at www.idcomfdn.org.

The Idaho Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization composed of more than 370 individual funds, pooled together for efficient management. Total assets are more than $70 million. Since it began making grants in 1991, ICF has made charitable distributions totaling more than $37 million. To learn more about the Foundation or join as a member, visit ICF's Web site at
www.idcomfdn.org., or call 1-800-657-5357.