Spring 2023 Newsletter

Dear Frank Church Institute Community,

I am thrilled to share with you the incredible growth and accomplishments we have achieved over the past year. It is thanks to the dedication and support of each and every one of you that the Frank Church Institute continues to thrive and make a profound impact in our community. Thanks to your unwavering support, we have expanded our programming, engaged with diverse communities, and made significant strides in fulfilling our mission to promote civic engagement and leadership.

Our events and initiatives have seen an unprecedented level of participation and engagement. Our quarterly Frank Church Society events have drawn large audiences, bringing together esteemed scholars, community leaders and visionaries, policymakers, and students to discuss critical issues. It is my greatest hope that the Frank Church Society continues to grow, as I believe it to be an essential platform for intellectual discussions and networking in our community. Additionally, we have co-sponsored and collaborated with peer organizations on several conferences, book signings, and other thought-provoking events that have garnered attention from both local and national audiences. We are truly fostering a vibrant intellectual environment.

In line with our commitment to education and outreach, we have prioritized youth engagement initiatives, and we have made significant strides in this area. Our High School Model UN and Congress to Campus programs this past year provided valuable opportunities for students to learn about diplomacy and government. We have also formed partnerships with ASBSU on conferences and voting outreach programs, empowering our youth to actively participate in civic life.

I am thrilled to announce that because of your generosity this year, we doubled the amount of scholarship money awarded for the upcoming academic year. This has enabled us to support more students as Frank Church Scholars and provide them with the resources they need to become the leaders of tomorrow, today. To further strengthen our community, I am currently working on establishing a Student Engagement Committee and a Frank Church Scholars Alumni Group to continue our work into the next generation.

Our local community has rallied around us, providing unwavering support. We have gained new recognition both regionally and nationally for our exceptional programming and impact. This has opened up exciting fundraising opportunities and collaborations with peer institutes here at Boise State and across the Mountain West.

Our partnership with Boise State University, especially with the School of Public Service, has flourished. We are excited to announce our upcoming sponsorship of internships in Washington, D.C., providing students with invaluable hands-on experience in the realm of public service. Additionally, I am excited to inform you that I will be teaching an American Government and Politics course in the Fall, as well as leading a freshman discussion group on “Difficult Conversations”,  fostering a direct connection between the Institute and Boise State students.

As part of my commitment to fostering civil discourse and civic engagement, I have had the privilege of speaking at various events. Specifically, I have represented the Institute at events for the Idaho Conservation League, Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association, and the Sawtooth Society. In the coming weeks, I will address Advocates for the West and the Boise Chamber Leadership Program. These opportunities have allowed us to broaden our reach and champion the values and principles that lie at the core of the Frank Church Institute.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the development of our “Frank at 100” series of events, which will take place in 2024. In collaboration with the Idaho Historical Museum and the Special Collection at Albertsons Library, we aim to commemorate the legacy of Frank Church in a meaningful and impactful way centered around what would have been his 100th birthday on July 25th, 2024.

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support of the Frank Church Institute. Your dedication has propelled our growth, expanded our impact, and empowered us to make a difference. Together, we are building a community of engaged citizens and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.

A special thank you to my amazing partners at FCI – Valerie Hayes and Sam Martin, we are a great team and having fun along the way.

Check out the last section of our newsletter for upcoming events. Please continue to stay engaged and connected.

All the best,
Monica C. Church
Executive Director, Frank Church Institute

To help us continue to meet the values and needs of our community, please take a moment to fill out this brief survey.

Like almost every professor who studies politics I know, I have had the following conversation countless times.

“What do you do?”
“I’m a professor.”
“Oh, in what subject?”
“Politics and Public Affairs”

At this point, the other person often hesitates. Perhaps they worry I am going to break the taboo our mothers taught us: Never discuss politics (or religion, which I also happen to study), in polite conversation. Following this awkward pause, I usually hear a chuckle and then the reply:  

“Well, given the news these days, there must be a lot to keep you busy.”

At this point, I always smile and say, yes, that’s true. And then—to our mutual relief—I usually ask about my new friend about sports or the weather.

But getting better at talking about hard things that matter to us all are at the center of the research and teaching I do as the Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair of Public Affairs for the Frank Church Institute. During my first year in this role, I have been lucky to be part of many exciting efforts to create opportunities for Idaho students and citizens to wonder and talk about important public questions. Among the most exciting is a new and ongoing initiative to study the political landscape in the Mountain West. In February, we hosted political scientists from Nevada, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming to discuss the changing political climates of our states, as more people move in and polarization continues to grow. We will be continuing this work in the coming school year, trying to shed light on our important region of the country, and why it matters to the nation more broadly. I can’t wait to see where we go.

It’s been an extraordinary first year as FCI’s professor and chair, and all of this is only the beginning. I hope you’ll enjoy reading this newsletter to see some of the things you’ve helped support over the past few months. Like the research I do, there’s been a lot to keep us busy.

Sam (Stephanie A.) Martin, PhD
Frank and Bethine Endowed Church Chair of Public Affairs

Beyond Left and Right: Democracy in the 21st Century

In early October, the Frank Church Institute hosted the 38th Frank Church Conference in the Student Union Building at Boise State University. It was the first in-person conference since the onset of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, and it was a huge success. Boise State undergraduates, area high school students, and the local community heard from a variety of speakers who promoted civic engagement and dialogue beyond partisan grandstanding. Participants included Zac Gershberg, who released a best-selling book last year, The Paradox of Democracy, and Nina Jankowitz, an international expert in disinformation and the perils of online speech, especially for young women. Nearly 500 people attended the conference which included multiple panels and two keynote addresses along with breakout sessions to learn directly from the experts. Learn more about the conference and watch recordings of the sessions.

The 39th Frank Church Conference will be held at Boise State on October 19th, 2023 and will include author and journalist James Risen among others.

On April 26, the Frank Church Institute honored two female journalistic icons with the Frank & Bethine Church Award for Public Service. First was longtime Idaho reporter and editor Betsy Russell, who spent four decades covering regional politics and the Idaho Statehouse, always with the goal of helping citizens understand how government works and why democracy matters. Second was Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, whose longtime career includes chronicling Donald Trump’s time as president, along with the aftermath of his election loss in 2020 and the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol building.

The Church Award for Public Service recognizes individuals whose work promotes the legacy and values of the Church family, especially democratic deliberation and civic engagement.

“This is a huge honor and I am extremely humbled by it,” Russell said. “Both Frank and Bethine Church shaped Idaho and shaped this country in really, really important ways. I am stunned that I would be honored with something like this.”

Along with the award presentation, more than 400 attendees enjoyed a catered meal at the Boise Centre on the Grove where both Russell and Haberman offered remarks about the essential role the First Amendment plays in preserving democracy in the 21st Century. Haberman also engaged in a conversation with Dr. Sam Martin, Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair for Public Affairs, about her career as a reporter. Haberman’s comments about being in New York on September 11, 2001, and writing about its aftermath were especially poignant.

“I realized that this job is about people’s lives,” Haberman said. “It is a tremendous and humbling responsibility to serve the public this way.”

The evening ended with a “Paddle up for Students” fundraiser. Nearly $30,000 was raised for student scholarships, $23,000 of which has already been allocated to support Boise State undergraduates in the 2023-2024 school year.

Watch Besty Russell’s Award Acceptance

Watch Maggie Haberman’s Keynote Address

Watch Maggie Haberman and Dr. Sam Martin’s Discussion

The Frank Church Society is a dedicated group of people interested in having deep conversations with today’s leading experts and thinkers. The Society is a membership-based group within the Frank Church Institute that meets four to six times a year, typically in the home of a member punctuated with good food and drink. 

The Frank Church Society operates under the auspices of the Frank Church Institute at Boise State University. The mission of the Frank Church Society is to create opportunities for the public to engage in interactive, non-partisan discussions with experts on a broad range of issues that were important to the late Senator and continue to be vital today.

There were many events this year with speakers such as Valerie Biden Owens, Director Amy Herzfeld-Copple of the Western States Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Allison Prasch, the Congress to Campus representatives, and upcoming on July 18th the Society will host former Idaho House Speaker Bruce Newcomb and Reclaim Idaho Co-Founder Luke Mayville.

Learn more about the Frank Church Society

2023 Participating Schools

Boise High School, Capital High School, Coeur d’Alene High School, Hillcrest High School, Idaho Falls High School, Kellogg High School, Lakeland High School, Lewiston High School, Madison High School, Moscow High School, Mountain Home High School, Nampa High School, Sage International High School, Twin Falls High School

Student Testimonials

“Participating in the FrankMUN was the coolest experience. I mean, we got to represent different countries, debate real-world issues, and find solutions together. FrankMUN taught me more than any textbook ever could, and it definitely made me feel like I could change the world, one resolution at a time.” Madison High School – Rexburg, ID

“FrankMUN was an amazing experience I’ll never forget! It was like stepping into a whole new world of global diplomacy and excitement. Not only did I learn so much about international relations and teamwork, but I also made awesome friends.” Kellogg High School – Kellogg, ID

“The Frank Church Institute High School Model United Nations event had a profound impact on our students, fostering their knowledge, skills, and passion for global affairs. It empowered them to become responsible global citizens, encouraging leadership, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world.” Adviser – Boise High School – Boise, ID

Watch a recap of the 2023 program here

A Note from the Model UN Director:

Dear friends and supporters,

As we approach our 3rd annual Frank Church Institute High School Model United Nations (FrankMUN), I wanted to quickly reflect on how impactful programs such as this are for students across our Gem State. The FrankMUN is exactly what Idaho students need right now. This event, which is only made possible by the Frank Church Institute, is a transformative experience, and while it might appear that it only last three days, it takes a full year of preparation and a commitment to connecting with students and teachers – a commitment I feel strongly about and am excited to do again this year. Together, we are empowering future leaders, fostering cultural understanding, and igniting a profound passion for global issues. On behalf of the Institute, our assistant director, Joe Engstrom, and myself – thank you for your dedication and commitment to the next generation of changemakers; it truly means everything. Please think about volunteering at FrankMUN24, and if you know a teacher who would love to participate, please share this FrankMUN24 registration form.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Isaac Celedon
Director, Frank Church Institute High School Model United Nations

We look forward to the third year of this growing program, bringing in more schools and students across the Gem State. We cannot wait to witness the extraordinary contributions these empowered young individuals will bring to the 2024 FrankMUN  Uniting a Divided World – Sustainable and Responsible Consumption on February 22nd – 24th, 2024. 

If you would like to donate to the Model UN program, please visit our support page. If you would like more information about becoming a sponsor of the FrankMUN24, please email Isaacceledon@boisestate.edu

For more than 40 years, Congress to Campus has provided college students with a unique civic education by engaging them in honest dialogue with bipartisan teams of Former Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and American diplomats. These dialogues bring today’s pressing issues to the forefront and showcase the benefits of healthy partisanship and civility within disagreement. 

Congress to Campus dialogues provide students with unparalleled insight into the internal workings of American democracy as well as careers in public service, including how to run for political office, managing work/life balance on Capitol Hill and the thrill of debating legislation on the House or Senate floor. 

The Frank Church Institute brings Congress to Campus to Boise State University every year as part of our mission to engage students in discussions about what makes a healthy and robust democracy flourish. This year, Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA) and Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) were on campus for three days visiting with students and faculty.

Watch the Congress to Campus interview with Boise State Television