Colleges Celebrate Last-Minute Gifts

Colleges and universities in North Idaho rang in the new year with a flurry of last-minute donations.

North Idaho College and the University of Idaho reported calls and checks from 11th-hour donors this week, who helped cap a successful fund-raising year at both schools.

The UI’s fund raising totaled more than $7.1 million in 1997, far beyond the 1996 total of $5.6 million.

Final figures on the amount of gifts to NIC in 1997 won’t be available until next week.

But NIC received a $100,000 donation this week from the estate of Emma VanLaken, a longtime Coeur d’Alene resident known for her generosity. The estate also gave $100,000 to the Shriners Hospital in Spokane, NIC Dean of College Relations Steve Schenk said.

“It’s a busy time for those in fund raising,” Schenk said of the multiple donations received in the last week.

Donations often come in surges at the end of the year, when residents take advantage of Idaho’s educational tax credit. Donations must be made by Dec. 31 to receive it.

The UI announced Tuesday that retired Coeur d’Alene attorney C. J. Hamilton, a 1948 graduate of the UI’s College of Law, will establish a $50,000 endowment with his wife, Janice.

The scholarships will go to students based on their financial need. Hamilton also gives to NIC annually.

“We are way ahead both in dollars received and in the number of donors,” said Foundation Executive Director Linda Davidson.

The increase, Davidson said, reflects recognition of the UI’s quality students, faculty and new leadership under Robert Hoover.

“I think people have confidence in him and that shows in their support of the UI,” Davidson said. The number of donations given as scholarships nearly doubled this year. In 1996, 22 percent of donations were earmarked for student scholarships, compared with 41 percent this year.

, DataTimes