College of Idaho President Charlotte Borst has stepped down from her position –- and the College has named its former president, Dr. Bob Hoover, as Interim President.
“After considerable discussion and deliberation, I have decided that the time is right to pursue other opportunities in higher education and to support a transition to new leadership. It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as President of the College of Idaho,” Borst said. “My husband, Rick, and I have loved Idaho, and we appreciated our time in Caldwell and at the College. I am proud of the many great accomplishments of our team and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such high-caliber students, faculty, and staff. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and spending more time with my family.”
Borst was appointed the College thirteenth president in 2015. During her tenure, the College was recognized in The Princeton Review’s 2018 edition of The Best 382 Colleges -- an honor given only to the top 15% of America’s four-year colleges; has embarked on two large student housing renovation projects; and is nearing completion of the new, state-of-the-art Cruzen-Murray Library. A new five-year Strategic Plan has also been completed.
“During her tenure, President Borst has been an energetic force not only at the College, but in the Caldwell and greater Boise Valley communities. We appreciate the tireless energy, effort, and service that President Borst has brought to the College,” said Laura Turner, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the College.
“While the College begins the search for a successor, we are pleased to announce the return of a former President of the College, Dr. Bob Hoover -- who has agreed to serve as Interim President, effective immediately,” she said. “Bob will serve through such time as we’re able to conclude the search for a successor to Dr. Borst. The search process will begin immediately and is expected to be concluded by June of 2018.”
Hoover joined what was then the Albertson College of Idaho in August, 2003, and served as President until July, 2009. During his tenure, new student enrollment increased by 21% and total enrollment in the fall of 2009 exceeded 1,000 students for the first time in the College’s history, according the College of Idaho spokesman Joe Hughes.
“Also, during those years, he was involved in building the College’s financial standing through significant gifts. For example, between 2005 and 2007, the college received $72 million in gifts from the Albertson Foundation -- of which $50 million was added to the college’s endowment, and the college returned to its original name, The College of Idaho. The $50 million awarded to the College was the largest gift ever to an Idaho college or university,” Hughes stated.
Prior to coming to the College, Hoover was the President of the University of Idaho from July, 1996 to July, 2003. While at the UI, he led a $130 million fundraising campaign and focused successfully on growing the university’s undergraduate and graduate enrollment. By June, 2003, when Hooevr left the UI, the university had completed, had underway, or had gained state approval of over $200 million in UI construction and renovation projects.
Most recently, Hoover was President and CEO of the Idaho Community Foundation. When he assumed the ICF presidency in 2009, Idaho was in a deep economic recession and its assets were $55 million -- including $42 million in the foundation’s endowment. When he announced his retirement in February 2015, its assets were $124 million, including $104 million in endowment. The number of funds in the foundation increase4d from 379 to 519 and sum of grants awarded across Idaho during his tenure was $54 million.
“My wife and I have enjoyed our retirement, but we are looking forward to returning to the Caldwell community for the next ten months or so, and especially look forward to working with the great students, faculty, staff, alumni and Board of Trustees of the College of Idaho. There is strong momentum at the College and we want to make sure there is a seamless transition to the 14th president,” Hoover stated.
