UI given big gift for law school

BOISE – Donors so far have pledged $425,000 to the University of Idaho toward the creation of a third-year law program in the state capital, according to UI President Duane Nellis.

In his weekly letter to alumni, Nellis said 1954 graduates Frank and Harriet Shrontz recently dedicated $300,000 to help launch the program.

The Moscow-based school had previously hoped to open a full three-year law school branch in Boise, but the state Board of Education rejected the proposal as too expensive.

University officials hope to start the third-year law program this fall in Boise, even without financial support from the state, by raising money for the classes. A student fee increase is also expected to help.

Meanwhile, Oregon-based Concordia University expects to start offering law school classes in Boise starting in 2011.