The University’s History

In 1932, the Episcopal Church founded Boise Junior College, the first post-secondary school in Idaho's capital. When the Episcopal Church discontinued its sponsorship in 1934, Boise Junior College became a nonprofit, private corporation, sponsored by the Boise Chamber of Commerce and by the community. In 1939, the State Legislature created a junior-college taxing district to fund the college through local property taxes.

By the end of the 1930s, Boise Junior College boasted an enrollment of 600 students. Originally located at St. Margaret's Hall, near the present site of St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, the college was moved in 1940 to its present location alongside the Boise River. In 1965, Boise Junior College became a four-year institution and was renamed Boise College. In 1969, the college was brought into the state system of higher education as Boise State College. The Graduate College was established in 1971. The creation of new graduate programs led to the designation, in 1974, of the institution as Boise State University

In 2009, Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in Idaho with nearly 20,000 students and nearly 2,500 faculty and staff. Boise State is in the midst of a transformation that nurtures its traditional strengths while expanding its capabilities in research and scholarly activity. This is not a revolution but instead an evolution that reflects the integral part Boise State plays in contributing to the quality of life in the Treasure Valley and beyond.

During its history, Boise State University has operated under the leadership of six presidents: Bishop Middleton Barnwell (1932-1934), Eugene B. Chaffee (1934-1967), John B. Barnes (1967-1977), John H. Keiser (1978-1991), Charles P. Ruch (1993-2003), Robert W. Kustra (2003-present).