Boise State announced a new Mark and Melanie Bannister College of Business and Economics and College of Arts and Sciences Scholarship that will be will be awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students pursuing dual studies in the two colleges (for example, an economics major pursuing a minor in history, or a marketing and psychology double major). The scholarship was created in partnership between College of Business and Economics dean Mark, his wife Melanie, a development professional for the College of Arts and Sciences, and donors Randy and Lisa Hales.
“Melanie and I love Boise State University. We value its dedication to students, its creation of new knowledge, and its strong impact on the state of Idaho,” Mark Bannister said. “We wanted to establish a scholarship that supports undergraduate students earning credentials from the colleges we serve. We wanted to build on our legacy of service and to encourage others to support Boise State University. We are extremely honored that Randy and Lisa made a major gift to increase the impact of the scholarship we initiated. This is an amazing recognition of our work and will make a difference for generations–it’s hard to imagine a more special affirmation.”
Randy Hales is a Boise State Foundation board member and chair of Unbridled: The Campaign for Boise State University. Lisa Hales is an alum of the Executive MBA program and a member of the College of Business and Economics Advisory Council. The Mark and Melanie Bannister COBE and COAS Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship helping Boise State compete in recruiting talented students.
The Unbridled Campaign aims to raise $500 million by 2028 and focuses on three key pillars: student access and success, relentless faculty innovation and What’s Next for athletics. The Hales were inspired to support student success by supporting this scholarship with, and in honor of Mark and Melanie.
The Hales have a history of collaborating with local leaders to make an impact across campus, including with former head football coach Chris Petersen to name the Imagination Lab in the Micron Business and Economics Building. They recently launched another scholarship, the Jeramiah and Elizabeth Dickey True Blue Scholarship in partnership with Boise State athletic director Jeramiah and his wife Elizabeth.
“Lisa and I have been friends of the Bannisters for many years and want to recognize their hard work and dedication to Boise State and its students,” Randy Hales said. “We can think of no better way to honor two friends who have dedicated their careers to education than through a scholarship that will support students in perpetuity. We’re excited about the future of Boise State and this scholarship will help the school compete for top students who will grow and excel in the university’s high-quality programs.”
The scholarship will be awarded by the Boise State University Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.