The University of Idaho is a public research university located in Moscow, Idaho. Founded in 1889, it is the state’s oldest public university and the flagship institution of the University of Idaho System. The university offers over 300 degrees and certificates across 10 colleges and schools, including agriculture and life sciences, art and architecture, business and economics, education, engineering, law, natural resources, letters, arts and social sciences, and science. The University of Idaho is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
The University of Idaho has a diverse student body of around 11,000 students from all 50 states and over 90 countries. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, allowing for personalized attention and collaboration between students and faculty. The university’s faculty includes over 500 full-time instructional faculty, 86% of whom hold terminal degrees in their fields.
The university is known for its research, particularly in the areas of agriculture, energy, natural resources, and environmental science. The university operates several research centers and institutes, including the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, the James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, and the Idaho Geological Survey. The university’s research expenditures in 2021 totaled $120.5 million.
The University of Idaho has a strong athletic program with 16 varsity sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference. The university’s football team competes in the FBS Sun Belt Conference. The university’s mascot is Joe Vandal, and its colors are silver and gold. The university also has a vibrant student life, with over 200 student organizations, including Greek life, academic clubs, and service organizations.
University of Idaho (wikimedia)
It’s surely a good idea to look at the interesting facts about the University of Idaho to know more about this university. Here are 45 interesting facts about the University of Idaho.
- The University of Idaho is located in Moscow, Idaho, which is near the Washington-Idaho border.
- The university’s main campus spans over 1,500 acres.
- The university has over 200 student organizations and clubs.
- The university’s College of Law was founded in 1909 and is the oldest law school in the Pacific Northwest.
- The university has a nuclear research reactor on campus.
- The university has a renewable energy center that researches and develops sustainable energy solutions.
- The university has a dedicated jazz studies program, which includes a jazz festival that attracts musicians from around the world.
- The university’s arboretum has over 11,000 trees and shrubs from around the world.
- The university’s dairy program produces award-winning cheese.
- The university has a student-run organic farm that sells produce to the local community.
- The university is home to the McClure Center for Public Policy Research, which conducts research on public policy issues affecting the state of Idaho.
- The university’s Lionel Hampton School of Music is named after the famous jazz musician Lionel Hampton, who attended the university in the 1930s.
- The university’s International Programs Office offers study abroad programs in over 70 countries.
- The university has a strong athletic tradition, with 44 national championships in various sports.
- The university’s football team plays its home games at the Kibbie Dome, an indoor stadium that is also used for track and field events.
- The university’s mascot, Joe Vandal, was named after a student who led the university’s cheerleading squad in the 1920s.
- The university’s library has over 1.5 million volumes and is one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest.
- The university’s Engineering Outreach program provides engineering education to students across Idaho, including in rural and remote areas.
- The university is home to the James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, which conducts research on public policy issues affecting the state of Idaho.
- The university has a strong partnership with the nearby Coeur d’Alene Tribe, with initiatives focused on cultural preservation and educational opportunities for tribal members.
- The university’s Center for Advanced Energy Studies conducts research in the fields of nuclear energy, renewable energy, and energy policy.
- The university has a strong partnership with the nearby city of Moscow, with initiatives focused on economic development and community engagement.
- The university’s sustainability initiatives include a zero-waste program for campus events and a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- The university has a strong program in theatre arts, with a dedicated theatre building and multiple performance spaces.
- The university’s student newspaper, The Argonaut, has won multiple national awards for journalism.
- The university has a strong program in biological control, which uses natural predators and parasites to control pest populations in agriculture and forestry.
- The university’s Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies conducts research in genetics and genomics.
- The university’s College of Natural Resources is home to the McCall Outdoor Science School, a field station in central Idaho that offers environmental education programs for students of all ages.
- The university’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences includes programs in counseling, exercise science, and special education.
- The university has a strong program in water resources, with research focused on sustainable management of water supplies in the western United States.
- The university’s Idaho Commons building houses a food court, study spaces, and a ballroom for events.
- The university has a strong program in fire ecology, with research focused on understanding the role of wildfires in forest ecosystems and developing strategies for managing fire risk.
- The university’s College of Art and Architecture includes programs in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture.
- The university’s annual UI Research and Creative Scholarship Showcase highlights the innovative research and creative projects of faculty and students across a range of disciplines.
- The university is home to the Prichard Art Gallery, which hosts exhibitions of contemporary art and serves as a cultural hub for the community.
- The university’s College of Business and Economics includes programs in accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
- The university’s athletics teams compete in the Big Sky Conference, with rivalries against nearby schools such as Boise State and Idaho State.
- The university’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences includes programs in animal science, plant science, and food science.
- The university’s Center for Modeling Complex Interactions conducts interdisciplinary research in areas such as climate change, infectious diseases, and social networks.
- The university has a strong program in computer science, with research focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
- The university’s College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences includes programs in history, psychology, and sociology.
- The university’s Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is one of the largest and longest-running jazz festivals in the world, attracting over 20,000 attendees each year.
- The university’s College of Engineering includes programs in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.
- The university has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, with initiatives focused on recruiting and supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds.
- The university’s Office of Undergraduate Research provides funding and support for students to pursue research and creative projects across a range of disciplines.
The University of Idaho is a vibrant and dynamic institution that offers students a wide range of academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. With a strong commitment to innovation, diversity, and inclusion, the university is dedicated to preparing students for success in a rapidly changing world. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in agriculture, engineering, the arts, or any other field, the University of Idaho is an excellent place to start your journey.
