View source for College of Idaho

{{Short description|Private liberal arts college in Caldwell, Idaho, US}}
{{for|the university previously known as Idaho State College|Idaho State University}}
{{distinguish|University of Idaho}}
{{Primary sources|date=August 2011}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = The College of Idaho
 | image                  = College idaho seal.png
 | image_size             = 150
 | motto                  = ''Rex Lex Dux Lux''
 | mottoeng               = My Leader, my Light, {{nowrap|my King, and my Law}}
 | established            = 1891, {{Years or months ago|1891}}
 | type                   = [[Private school|Private]] [[Liberal arts colleges in the United States|liberal arts college]]
 | endowment              = US$111 million
 | president              = David Douglass<ref name="SuccessionPlan2025">{{cite web|title=Press Release: The College of Idaho Unveils Leadership Succession Plan|url=https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/news/press-release-college-idaho-unveils-leadership-succession-plan|website=The College of Idaho|publisher=The College of Idaho|date=March 17, 2025|access-date=November 6, 2025}}</ref>
 | head_label             = CEO
 | head                   = Doug Brigham<ref name="SuccessionPlan2025" />
 | students               = 1,085 (Fall 2024)<ref name ="2024fallcensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Census%20Report%20-%2024FA_rev.pdf|author=Mark Heidrich|publisher=The College of Idaho Office of Institutional Research|title=2024 Fall Census|date=4 September 2024}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 
 | postgrad               = 
 | city                   = [[Caldwell, Idaho|Caldwell]]
 | state                  = [[Idaho]]
 | country                = United States
 | campus                 = Suburban, park, {{convert|55|acre|0}}
 | former_names           = Albertson College<br />of Idaho (1991&ndash;2007)
 | athletics_affiliations = [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] – [[Cascade Collegiate Conference|CCC]] (primary)<br />NAIA – [[Frontier Conference|Frontier]] (football)
 | sports_nickname        = Coyotes ("Yotes")
 | colors                 = Purple & Gold<br />{{color box|#412d5e}}&nbsp;{{color box|#a29060}}
 | mascot                 = Coyote<ref>{{cite news|title=C of I to unveil new coyote mascot|url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/blog/news/2011/08/15/c-i-unveil-new-coyote-mascot|publisher=collegeofidaho.edu|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=2015-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905220101/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/blog/news/2011/08/15/c-i-unveil-new-coyote-mascot|archive-date=2015-09-05|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | website                = {{URL|https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/| collegeofidaho.edu}}
 | mapframe               = yes
 | coordinates            = {{coord|43.653|-116.676|type:edu_region:US-ID|display=inline,title}}
 | postgrad_label         = 
 | administrative_staff   = 282
 | academic_affiliations  = [[Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities|APCU]]<br />[[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]<br />[[National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program|Space-grant]]
 | logo                   = Idaho college logo.png
 | logo_size              = 200
}}

'''The College of Idaho''' ('''C of I''') is a [[Private college|private]] [[liberal arts college]] in [[Caldwell, Idaho]]. Founded in 1891 by [[William Judson Boone]] as a [[Presbyterian]] college, it is the state's oldest private liberal arts college and has an enrollment of over 1,000 students.

The college offers 30 undergraduate programs to earn a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]], with select programs offering the opportunity to earn either a B.A. or a [[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]] degree.<ref name = "undergraduate">{{cite web|url = https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate/curriculum|title = Our Curriculum: Undergraduate Programs|publisher = The College of Idaho|access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref> The college also offers 4 graduate degrees in the fields of [[Sport management|Sports Administration]], [[Doctor of Medical Science|Medical Science]], [[Physician Assistant|Physician Assistant Studies]], and [[Education]].<ref name = "graduate">{{cite web|url = https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/academic-programs/graduate|title = Graduate Programs|publisher = The College of Idaho|access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref> While previously utilizing the "PEAK" [[curriculum]], in which students could earn one major and three minors in the span of four years, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, the college began using the "Do More in Four" curriculum, in which students only have to attend classes for four days a week, with four, four credit classes per semester (as compared to the standard five, three credit classes), and the opportunity to earn an undergraduate and graduate degree in four years.<ref name ="domore4">{{cite web|url = https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate|title= Undergraduate Academics|publisher = The College of Idaho|access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref>

The college's alumni include eight [[Rhodes Scholarship|Rhodes Scholars]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=College of Idaho graduate becomes Rhodes Scholar |url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/education/college-of-idaho-alum-kaya-evans-rhodes-scholar/277-e76ab7ee-8176-4191-8536-e227d96c7273 |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.ktvb.com |date=17 November 2022 |archive-date=2022-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121213339/https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/education/college-of-idaho-alum-kaya-evans-rhodes-scholar/277-e76ab7ee-8176-4191-8536-e227d96c7273 |url-status=live }}</ref> three [[governor (United States)|governor]]s, four professional football players, and one professional baseball player.

==History==
The college was conceived in 1884 when the [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] Church's Wood River [[Presbyterian polity|Presbytery]], meeting in [[Shoshone, Idaho|Shoshone]], formed a commission to examine the possibility of establishing a Presbyterian college somewhere in the Idaho Territory. The commission found support for such a venture and in 1890 the Presbytery accepted an offer from a group of Caldwell citizens led by William Judson Boone, to locate the institution in that community.

The college was founded {{Years or months ago|1891}} in 1891 by William Judson Boone with the support of the Wood River Presbytery. The college first opened its doors to students on October 7, 1891. Nineteen students showed up at The College of Idaho for the first classes in 1891. The first classes were held downtown in the Caldwell Presbyterian Church. A year later the college moved into its own downtown building before moving to its present site on the east side of town in 1910 when Henry and Carrie Blatchley donated {{convert|20|acre}} of land. Sterry Hall, a classroom and administration building, and Finney Hall, the first residence hall, were built that year. Two years later Voorhees residence hall was built, which would be the second of five total residents halls.

In 1893, it was incorporated under the laws of the state of Idaho and placed in the hands of a self-perpetuating board of [[trustee]]s. Boone served as president of the college for 45 years until his death in 1936.

In 1991, the college's board of trustees unanimously voted to change its name to Albertson College of Idaho to honor alumnus and long-time donor [[Joe Albertson]] {{nowrap|(1906–1993)}} and his wife [[Kathryn Albertson|Kathryn]] {{nowrap|(1908–2002).<ref name=ijoe>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M5UrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EtEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6437%2C816335 |newspaper=Idahonian |location=Moscow |agency=Associated Press |title=It's Joe Albertson's College of Idaho now |date=November 9, 1991 |page=5A |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428022735/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M5UrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EtEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6437,816335 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} The couple, who founded one of the country's largest [[supermarket]] chains, [[New Albertsons, Inc.|Albertson's Inc.]], met in a chemistry class at C of I and were generous benefactors of the college. At the time of the name change, the enrollment was {{nowrap|640 students.<ref name=cnnhb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ymEPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5oYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6884%2C2494950 |newspaper=The Bulletin |location=Bend, Oregon |agency=Associated Press |title=College's new name honors benefactor |date=November 10, 1991 |page=E-11 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425043519/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ymEPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5oYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6884,2494950 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

On October 10, 2007, college president Bob Hoover announced that the name would revert to The College of Idaho, with the mutual agreement of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, to promote acceptance and gain financial backing from alumni who were unhappy about the original name change.<ref name=achnm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=92lWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d_MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5439%2C917077 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |last=Boone |first=Rebecca |title=Albertson College of Idaho gets millions, changes name |date=October 12, 2007 |page=B2 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506022202/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=92lWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=d_MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5439,917077 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/administration/communications/pressreleases.asp?PRID=1132 ACI receives historic donation, changes name back to The College of Idaho, kicks off major fundraising campaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111958/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/administration/communications/pressreleases.asp?PRID=1132 |date=2011-07-16 }}, Albertson College of Idaho press release, October 10, 2007</ref> This coincided with a {{nowrap|$50 million}} donation by the foundation to the college.

==Academics==
The college offers 30 undergraduate majors, 28 undergraduate minors, four graduate programs, and a variety of collaborative programs through 17 departments. Popular majors include business, biomedical sciences, psychology, and exercise science.<ref name="2024fallcensus" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-of-idaho-1617/academics|title=College of Idaho Academics & Majors|publisher=U.S. News|date = 2025|access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref>
{{Infobox US university ranking
| Wamo_BAC = 80
| USNWR_REG = 4
}}
The college has been [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities]] or its predecessor since 1922. Its teacher education program has been approved by the Idaho [[State education agency|State Department of Education]] since 1913 and its graduates are eligible for certification in all states participating in the Interstate Certification Compact. The college is accepted by, and the alumnae are eligible for, membership in the [[American Association of University Women]] (AAUW).

===Collaborative programs===
Collaborative programs between The College of Idaho and other institutions offer degrees from both with students spending three to four years at C of I and two to three years at the cooperating university.

Collaborative programs in health professions include: [[nursing]], [[Medical laboratory|clinical lab science]], [[speech and language pathology]] and [[audiology]], [[physical therapy]], [[occupational therapy]], [[pharmacy]], [[Pharmaceutical sciences|pharmaceutical science]] and [[public health]].

Other collaborative programs include [[engineering]] and [[law]].

===Curriculum===

==== PEAK (2010-2025) ====
PEAK was the college's unique undergraduate curriculum. It was intended to allow students to graduate with an academic major and three minors in four years or two majors and two minors if they choose.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/content/academics?mode=PEAK|title=Academics - The College of Idaho|website=Collegeofidaho.edu|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008181836/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/content/academics?mode=PEAK|url-status=live}}</ref> The curriculum was implemented in the fall of 2010. It was made up of four different peaks: humanities & fine arts, social sciences & history, natural sciences & mathematics, and professional foundations & enhancement. Each student under this curriculum is required to major in one of the four peaks, while minoring in the other three allowing a broad base of study with limited general education requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Undergraduate Programs {{!}} The College of Idaho |url=https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/academics/peak |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=www.collegeofidaho.edu |archive-date=2022-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126222902/https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/academics/peak |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Do More in Four (2025-present) ====

Due to [[2008 financial crisis|economic hardship in the mid-2000s]], and the effects of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], there was a 15% decrease in college students in 2025. In addition, the rising costs of inflation (up to 19.1%) and financial hardship by the college, the increasing trend by students and belief by the [[Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities]] that it is better to graduate in three years rather than four, and the decreasing trust in higher education (70% in 2014 v. 36% in 2024), the college found it necessary to revamp their curriculum in order to involve with the changing economical, political, 
and educational climates.<ref>{{cite report |last=Douglass |first=David |date=26 September 2024 |title= Senate Agenda: Officer Reports |url=<!---physical document published at the college's senate chambers ---> |work= |location= The College of Idaho, ASCI Senate Chambers |publisher=Associated Students of The College of Idaho |docket= |access-date=}}</ref>

As the result of discussion with donors, the college's board, faculty, and students, the "Do More in Four" curriculum was introduced. This curriculum differs wildly from the previous PEAK curriculum, as it requires more general education classes in what is called "Coyote Core." This curriculum emphasizes a four-day school week, from Monday through Thursday, where Fridays should be utilized for meetings with professors, internships, and college athletics; four 4-credit classes per semester rather than the previous five 3-credit classes per semester; and, the possibility, in select fields, of completing both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in the span of four years, while retaining undergraduate scholarships and grants.<ref name = "domore4" />

==Student life==
The college has more than 50 student clubs and organizations, with an active [[student government]], the Associated Students of The College of Idaho (ASCI) emphasize diversity in cultures,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/asci|title=ASCI-Student Governance - The College of Idaho|website=Collegeofidaho.edu|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008183649/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/asci|archive-date=2017-10-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> and strong intramural and club sports programs. Intramural sports include: [[basketball]], [[soccer]], [[softball]], [[Rugby union|rugby]], [[volleyball]] and [[flag football]].

The college's Outdoor Program takes advantage of Idaho's geography and include [[backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]], [[hiking]], [[fly fishing]], [[camping]], winter camping, [[snowshoeing]], [[kayaking]], [[rafting]], [[rock climbing]], [[backcountry skiing]], [[tubing (recreation)|inner tubing]], and [[stargazing]]. The Outdoor Program leads week-long trips during the breaks between terms and after midterms.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/outdoor-program|title = Outdoor Program|publisher= The College of Idaho|access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref>

The college has one [[Fraternities and sororities in North America|fraternity]] ([[Sigma Chi]]) and two sororities ([[Kappa Alpha Theta]] and [[Kappa Kappa Gamma]]),<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/student-life/clubs-organizations/greek-life|title=Greek Life|publisher = The College of Idaho|access-date = 16 February 2025}}</ref> but has historically had more.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/greeklife |title=Greek Life &#124; College of Idaho |access-date=2013-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313085517/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/greeklife |archive-date=2013-03-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Athletics==
[[File:Idaho yotes wordmark.png|thumb|200px|C o I athletics wordmark]]
The College of Idaho athletic teams are called the Coyotes (or Yotes). The college is a member of the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA), primarily competing in the [[Cascade Collegiate Conference]] (CCC) for most of its sports since the 1993–94 academic year; while its football team competes in the [[Frontier Conference]], its men's lacrosse team competes in the [[Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League]] (PNCLL), its men's and women's skiing competes in the [[Northwest Collegiate Ski Conference]] (NWCSC) of the [[United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association]] (USCSA), and its competitive swimming team competes as an Independent.

CofI competes in 20 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, skiing, soccer, swimming & diving and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, skiing, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

===Football===
In 2014, The College of Idaho re-instated its football program after a 37-year hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=The College of Idaho|url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/blog/news/2012/05/14/college-idaho-reinstates-football-program|title=College of Idaho reinstates football program|date=May 14, 2012|access-date=January 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313054521/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/blog/news/2012/05/14/college-idaho-reinstates-football-program|archive-date=2013-03-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> The program is led by head coach [[Mike Moroski]], who has posted a record of 53-38 since taking over the program and was voted the 2019 [[Frontier Conference]] Coach of the Year. From 2019 to 2022, the Yotes have posted a record of 29–7 and have won a at least a share of the Frontier Conference each year. The Yotes even posted their longest winning streak in school history from 2018 to 2019 (17 games). Even so, the Yotes have only reached the NAIA playoffs once in those four years (2019).  In 2019, the Yotes posted their best record of 11–1 and achieved their highest rank in program history at #5 in the NAIA postseason poll. Since 2014, the Yotes have had a total of 8 All-Americans, 56 all-conference selections, and 26 NAIA All-Academic selections. In 2022, the Yotes split the conference title with rival [[Carroll Fighting Saints football|Carroll College]] and finished the season ranked 18th in the nation after posting an 8–2 record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Moroski - Football Coach |url=https://yoteathletics.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-moroski/945 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=College of Idaho Athletics |language=en}}</ref>

===Mascot===
The Coyote is the school's mascot, and CofI teams are often referred to as the "Yotes."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yoteathletics.com/|title=Official Website of College of Idaho Athletics|website=yoteathletics.com|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008231127/http://yoteathletics.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Accomplishments===
Since 2011, CofI student-athletes have won 23 national championships. The men's and women's [[ski]] teams have won 48 individual and team national championships while competing in the NWCSC of the USCSA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/admission/college-idaho-quick-facts|title=Admission - The College of Idaho|website=Collegeofidaho.edu|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008181219/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/admission/college-idaho-quick-facts|archive-date=2017-10-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> The college's track and cross country teams have won 13 individual and relay national titles. The men's baseball team has qualified for postseason play every year since 1987, winning the NAIA national championship in 1998. The men's basketball team won the 1996 NAIA Division II national championship. In 2014, the CofI football team ranked No. 2 in the NAIA for attendance with more than 4,500 fans per game. The men's lacrosse team has also won back to back PNCLL D II conference championships, in 2018 and 2019.

All 19 of the College of Idaho's NAIA teams were honored as NAIA Scholar Team for 2008–2009 season. Each team maintained an average GPA of at least 3.0. This set an all-time NAIA record for number of Scholar Teams in one season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/yotenotes/0910/8-26NOTES.htm |title=Yote Notes - August 26, 2009 |access-date=2009-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028070853/http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/yotenotes/0910/8-26NOTES.htm |archive-date=2009-10-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> CofI student-athletes continue to earn high marks in the class room and are among the annual leaders in scholar-athlete and academic All-America honorees.

During 2019–2021, the College of Idaho football team won three straight Frontier Conference championships in the NAIA. This includes the unprecedented "COVID" season in the spring of 2021 where the "Yotes" played just four games.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Past Conference Football Champions|url=https://frontierconference.com/sports/2020/10/23/FB_1023204325.aspx|access-date=2022-02-08|website=frontierconference.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109142039/https://frontierconference.com/sports/2020/10/23/FB_1023204325.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the College of Idaho's men's basketball team, under head coach [[Colby Blaine]], won its second NAIA national championship, defeating Indiana Tech 73–71 in Kansas City, Missouri. The 2022–2023 team went 36–1 and 22–0 in Cascade Conference play, winning 36 straight games after losing its opening game of the season to Arizona Christian.<ref>{{Cite web |title=College of Idaho Wins NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship |url=https://yoteathletics.com/news/2023/3/18/college-of-idaho-wins-naia-mens-basketball-national-championship.aspx |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=College of Idaho Athletics |date=18 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>  In Fall 2023, the women's cross country team won its first national championship and the first NAIA women's team national championship in school history. Head coach Dominic Bolin was named the 2023 NAIA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. It was just the second year of Bolin's head coaching tenure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-17 |title=College of Idaho Completes Mission to Capture Red Banner |url=https://www.naia.org/sports/wxc/2023-24/Releases/WXC_ChampionshipRecap_11_17_23 |access-date=2024-06-16 |website=NAIA |language=en}}</ref>

===National Championships===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team= Idaho Coyotes|Sport|Association|Division|Year|Runner-up|Score}}

|- align="center"
| rowspan="1" | Baseball
| rowspan="1" | [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]
| rowspan="1" | [[NAIA World Series|Single]]
| [[1998 NAIA World Series|1998]]
| [[Indiana Tech Warriors|Indiana Tech]]
| 6–3
|-
|Men's Basketball
|[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]
|Single
|[[2025 NAIA men's basketball tournament|2025]]
|[[Oklahoma Wesleyan University|Oklahoma Wesleyan]]
|93-65
|-
|Men's Basketball
|[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]
|Single
|[[2023 NAIA men's basketball tournament|2023]]
|[[Indiana Tech]]
|73-71
|-
|Men's Basketball
| rowspan="1" |[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]
|Division II
|[[1996 NAIA Division II men's basketball tournament|1996]]
|[[Whitworth University|Whitworth]]
|81-72 (OT)
|-
|Women's Cross Country
|[[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]
|Single
|[https://www.naia.org/sports/wxc/2023-24/Releases/WXC_ChampionshipRecap_11_17_23 2023]
|[[The Master's University|The Master's University (CA)]]
|68 points
|}

==Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History==
The College of Idaho houses the Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History in William Judson Boone Science Hall. It is the only natural history museum for southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon, and northern Nevada. The natural history museum serves three main purposes: to support the educational programs at The College of Idaho, to provide a resource to the community, and to house resources for scientific research.

Orma J. Smith taught chemistry, zoology, and geology in the early 1900s. A small museum was established in the 1930s to house his collections but was closed in 1963. It was reopened in 1976 in the basement of Boone Hall, driven by the need to house collections from the College of Idaho expeditions led by Robert Bratz and the current director, William H. Clark.

Since the ‘70s, the museum has been staffed primarily by volunteers, many the College of Idaho alums, and students. The first Saturday is dedicated to Museum Workdays, where the museum is open for work with Museum staff. A monthly education seminar takes place at noon on Workdays.

The museum is a repository for some very large regional collections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/museum|title=Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History - The College of Idaho|website=Collegeofidaho.edu|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921045743/http://collegeofidaho.edu/museum|archive-date=2012-09-21|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The students in the Gipson Honors Program utilize the museum every year for a first semester project, writing research papers which are supposed to offer a unique perspective on one item in the extensive collections.

==The Whittenberger Planetarium==
The College of Idaho houses the Whittenberger Planetarium in the William Judson Boone Science Hall. The planetarium was built in 1970 and provides educational programming to student groups and the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/about/campus-facilities/planetarium|title=The Whittenberger Planetarium - The College of Idaho|website=Collegeofidaho.edu|access-date=13 February 2025}}</ref>

==Archives==
The personal papers of [[Robert E. Smylie]] and the legislative papers of former senator [[Steve Symms]] are located at the college. The [[Frank Steunenberg|Steunenberg]] Papers, detailing Idaho's [[Trial of the Century]], were recently donated to the Archives.

Idaho's Gem and Mineral Collection is located at the Orma J. Smith Natural History Museum at the college.

==Community involvement==
Jewett Auditorium hosts the Caldwell Fine Arts Series<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caldwellfinearts.org/|title=Caldwell Fine Arts of Caldwell, Idaho - Performing Arts Center|website=Caldwellfinearts.org|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010175358/http://www.caldwellfinearts.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> which was founded in 1961 as a co-operative effort between the college and community leaders to present cultural events. The performances sponsored by the Caldwell Fine Arts Series have included a wide variety of disciplines: solo artists, chamber music, orchestra, theater, opera, ballet, ethnic dance and jazz. Jewett Auditorium was built to house a three manual pipe organ. The interior of the auditorium seats 850 people. The building was completed in 1962.

==Campus==
<gallery mode=packed heights=90>
File:Cruzen-Murray Library, College of Idaho (2).jpg|Cruzen-Murray Library <!-- one of the most recent additions to campus -->
File:Sterry Hall, College of Idaho.jpg|Sterry Hall was the first building built on campus <!-- It housed most of the classrooms in the college's early years. The north and south faces of the building are constructed identically, as the original designers did not know which way the city of Caldwell would expand -->
File:Blatchley Hall, College of Idaho.jpg|Blatchley Hall <!-- currently houses the college's marketing team. It used to be a personal house, belonging to the Blatchleys, a key family in the college's early history -->
File:Strahorn Hall, College of Idaho.jpg|Strahorn Hall was the first library built on campus. <!-- It is currently home to the Philosophy, Political Economy, History, and English departments-->
File:Centennial Amphitheater, College of Idaho.jpg|The Centennial Amphitheater <!-- consctructed out of two leftover mounds of dirt from renovations. The grey building directly behind the pillars is William Judson Boone Science Hall. The small, off-white building to the left of the pillars is Covell Hall -->
File:Morrison_Centennial_Clock_Tower,_College_of_Idaho.jpg|Morrison Centennial Clocktower <!-- is located in the center of the Morrison Quadrangle (known as "the Quad" by students). In the 2010s, the standard clock chimes were changed from "[[Westminster Quarters]]" to "[[Tik Tok (Kesha song)|Tik Tok]]" by [[Kesha]] as an [[April Fool's Day]] joke -->
</gallery>

==Notable alumni==
{{Excessive examples|section|date=September 2025}}
* [[Joe Albertson]], founder of [[New Albertsons, Inc.|Albertson's]] supermarkets and philanthropist<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.jkaf.org/the-foundation/biographies/|title= Joe Albertson|publisher= J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation|access-date= September 25, 2012|archive-date= August 7, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120807112240/http://www.jkaf.org/the-foundation/biographies/|url-status= dead}}</ref>
* [[Kathryn Albertson]], wife of the founder of the [[New Albertsons|Albertsons]] chain of grocery stores; philanthropist and founder of local sorority Sigma Epsilon<ref>{{cite web|title=Kathryn Albertson|url=http://www.jkaf.org/the-foundation/biographies/|access-date=September 25, 2012|publisher=J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation|archive-date=August 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807112240/http://www.jkaf.org/the-foundation/biographies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Elgin Baylor]], [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Basketball Hall of Fame]] inductee <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kmvt.com/2021/03/24/college-of-idaho-weighs-on-former-player-elgin-baylors-passing/|title=College of Idaho weighs on former player, Elgin Baylor's passing|work=KMVT 11|date=24 March 2021 |access-date=2021-12-20|archive-date=2021-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220113742/https://www.kmvt.com/2021/03/24/college-of-idaho-weighs-on-former-player-elgin-baylors-passing/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Mary Becker]], former Mayor of Juneau Alaska
* [[Andy Benoit]], sports journalist; covers the [[National Football League|NFL]] for ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ktvb.com/article/opinion/columnists/scott-slant/is-the-new-old-offense-back/277-273526045|title= Is the "new old" offense back?|date= 9 September 2014|publisher= Tom Scott- KTVB 7|access-date= December 20, 2021|archive-date= December 20, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220113741/https://www.ktvb.com/article/opinion/columnists/scott-slant/is-the-new-old-offense-back/277-273526045|url-status= live}}</ref>
* [[George Blankley]], college football and basketball coach
* [[Hamer H. Budge]], former Congressman and Chair of the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]]
* [[Cary Coglianese]], [[University of Pennsylvania Law School]] faculty leader and author <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/files/11473-coglianesecc-vita-062121pdf|title=Curriculum Vitae|work=Cary Coglianese|access-date=2021-12-20|archive-date=2021-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220113746/https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/files/11473-coglianesecc-vita-062121pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Dorothy Custer]], comedian 
* [[Duane Elgin]], American author, speaker, educator, consultant, and media activist
* [[Christopher Farnsworth]], novelist
* [[Horton Corwin Hinshaw]], Nobel Prize nominee, pulmonologist 
* [[Ravic Huso]], former US Ambassador to Laos
* [[Warren Jones (Idaho judge)|Warren Jones]], justice of the [[Idaho Supreme Court]]
* [[Edward Lodge]], former US District Judge
* [[Larry Lujack]], Chicago radio host
* [[Cynthia Meyer (judge)| Cynthia Meyer]], justice of the [[Idaho Supreme Court]] 
* [[Riley O'Brien]], Major League Baseball pitcher
* [[Butch Otter]], 32nd [[List of governors of Idaho|governor of Idaho]] (2007 to 2019)
* [[R.C. Owens]], NFL wide receiver for the [[1961 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], [[1963 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]], and [[1964 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]
* [[Alison Rabe]], attorney and member of the [[Idaho Senate]]
* [[Diane Raptosh]], author, poet and educator
* [[Forest Rohwer]], [[microbial ecologist]] and Biology Professor at [[San Diego State University]]
* [[Klaus Scharioth]], former [[Germany|German]] ambassador to the United States
* [[Gerald F. Schroeder|Gerald Schroeder]], former chief justice of the [[Idaho Supreme Court]]
* [[Mary Shaw Shorb]], research scientist, invented first method to assay [[Vitamin B12|Vitamin B-12]]
* [[Jason Simontacchi]], Major League Baseball Pitcher
* [[Elmo Smith]], 27th [[List of governors of Oregon|governor of Oregon]] (1956 to 1957)
* [[Paul Smith (film and television composer)|Paul Smith]], [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]-winning composer
* [[Robert E. Smylie|Robert Smylie]]<!--(1938)-->, 24th [[List of governors of Idaho|governor of Idaho]] (1955 to 1967)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_idaho/col2-content/main-content-list/title_smylie_robert.html|title= Idaho Governor Robert E. Smylie|publisher= National Governors Association|access-date= September 25, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121202044151/http://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_idaho/col2-content/main-content-list/title_smylie_robert.html|archive-date= December 2, 2012|url-status= dead|df= mdy-all}}</ref>
* [[Melinda Smyser]], former State Senator, former Director of the [[Idaho Department of Labor]], Director of the Idaho Office of Drug Policy
* [[Scott Syme]], former member of the Idaho House of Representatives (2016-2022)
* [[Pat Takasugi]], former Idaho State Representative (2008-2011)
* [[Ted Trueblood]], outdoor writer and conservationist, former Fishing Editor for [[Field & Stream]] magazine
* [[Kristine Tompkins]], former CEO of Patagonia and founder of [[Conservacion Patagonica]]
* [[Chuck Winder]], former member of the [[Idaho State Legislature]] (2008 to 2024)
* [[Julie Yamamoto]], former state Representative (2020 - 2024)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{ccat}}
* {{oweb}}
* [https://yoteathletics.com/ Athletics website]

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[[Category:College of Idaho| ]]
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