Boise - Airport During October Boise State students will be calling alumni and friends to update you on current campus events and ask you to make a pledge for academic excellence at the University. Your tax-deductible gift does make a significant impact on the future of Boise State. It is through your support that we are able to improve existing academic programs and develop new ones. When you receive your call this year from a Boise State student, please say YES to enhancing their educational opportunities! Committed to Academic Excellence FOCUS/SUMMER 2000 3 . .. •. ~ ' . • a•. •. • • ..... ... ·• . • •• • ••.~· . ~ . .·.• •• • • •••• ••... • • (. ........ •. ... • • • .• ... • t' .. ~· ··;~ . .. .~ . ·:·· •., :.•.:•·. "' ·.. .-.:·& e; . ~ ~o.:.. •• ••• :6 . •.: • • ...... ·.· :• . .. ... .• ... .•.. t :.· ..-:· .... ... '-:•. !/it&;!!': • •• , ... .. ... ·f • . •• . ,:···.::-:;: .:; . : ~~~ ·. ; :· . .. ... .. ,- , . BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY VOL. XXV, NO. 4 SUMMER 2000 FEATURES BUSINESS BUSYNESS 16 As the world speeds up and information pours in, businesses find innovation is crucial. FINDING THEIR MUSE 20 Boise State professors in a range of disciplines share how they tap into their creativity. CREATIVE CLASSROOMS 24 In an era of standardized tests, it's important students also learn to innovate, educators say. SCIENTIFIC METHODS 26 Physics professor Dewey Dykstra writes about the role creativity plays in science. CLASS OF 2000 28 A look at the stories behind some of Boise State's most recent graduates. DEPARTMENTS FIRST WORD 7 CAMPUS NEWS 8 SEARCH 32 GIVING 35 ALUMNOTES 36 .. tradition began wilb Bo · tate's first grtJrau,antag new millennium as the members of the Class of in an "honor march" after commencement ce1-emwnires The Pavilion. The new ritual included having Boise State's newest alumni ring in the graduating class by clanging the old school bell next to the Opaline SchooL The university gradutd· ed 2,727 students 111 May. ]"ohn 'Kelly photo. FOCUS is published quarterly by the Boise State U niversity Office of News Services. PRESIDENT: Charles Ruch You should know more PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS: Daryl Jones VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION: Buster Nee! about southern Idaho! VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS: Peg Blake EDITOR: Larry Burke STAFF WRITERS: Janelle Brown, Justin Endow, Bob Evancho, Patricia Pyke PHOTOGRAPHY: Chuck Scheer PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSISTANT: John Kelly EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Brenda Haight ALUMNI NEWS: Teresa Bow ADVERTISING SALES: Contact Boise State University, University Relations Office, 1910 University D rive, Boise, ID 83725 or call (208) 426-1577. PUBLISHING INFORMATION: FOCUS' address is BSU Education Buildi ng, Room 724, 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725. Phone: (208) 426-1577. Letters regarding editorial matters should be sent to the editor. Unless otherwise specified, all articles may be reprinted as long as appropria te credit is given to the author, Boise State University and FOCUS maga­ zine. Diverse views are presented and do not necessar­ ily reflect the opinions of FOCUS or the official policies of Boise State University. ADDRESS CHANGES: Send changes (with address label if possible) to the BSU Alumni Offi ce, 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725. If you receive duplicate copies of the magazine, please notify the Stunning color photos are combined with informative Alumni O ffice at the above address. Friends of the university who wish to receive FOCUS may do so by text in this 232-page book about the geology, ecology, submitting their names and addresses to the Alumni Office . Address changes can also be sent by e-mail to pre-history, history and politics of the Snake River Plain . bsualum@bo isestate.edu E-MAIL: Readers may contact the FOCUS editor by e-mail at [email protected] Don't miss this in-depth look atone ofthe most unique HOME PAGE: FOCUS can be found on the World Wide Web at itc.boisestate.edu/pit/FOCUS/home/ regions in the world. home.html " Rich with information , Snake invites the rea der to intimately experience the spirit and awesomeness of the Idaho Country." - Oregon History Magazine " Highly recommended for its blend of text and color photos." - The Reader's Review, San Francisco NOW 30% OFF --------------------------- "Snake: the Plain and Its People" ORDER FORM Name ___________________________________ Make checks payable to Boise State University. Address --------------­ Allow at least one week ABOUT THE COVER: There s no exact formula for City, State, Zip - ---------- for shipping. creativity. We funnel together inspiration, perse­ verance, experience, emotions and serendipity Phone ------------------ Send orders to: -and sometimes we manage to distill the hardcover at $24.95 (WAS $39.95) Boise State University unwieldy mix into something new and wonder­ University Relations ful. In this issue of FOCUS, we explore the cre­ softcover at $19.95 $._ __ (WAS $29.95) 1910 University Drive ative spirit and how it manifests itself in our _n__ shipping per book $._ _ _ Boise, ID 83725 increasingly complex and busy world, where technology links us more closely than ever and TOTAL $. _ _ Phone(208)426-1577 time is often the most precious commodity of all. Bill Carmnn illustration. 6 FOCUS/SUMMER 2000 a I] MASTER PLAN TAKES SHAPE By Charles Ruch, President n 1997 Boise State published its The campus side of the Gibb Friendship Center. Across the street, on the west Framework Physical Master Plan to Bridge is being redesigned, leaving a side of Grant Avenue, ground has been guide campus development into the lovely main plaza from the bridge to the broken for phase one of our Extended 21st century. A campus tour this student plaza and on toward the center Studies building. summer would reveal the significant of campus. These additions make a strong state­ progress that we have made toward turn­ A third element of the Framework ment that the university is developing an ing the plan into reality. Of special inter­ Master Plan was the development of the attractive and functional urban campus. est to our touring visitor might be the What's next? several major projects now under way. The need for additional classroom A key element of the plan was the rec­ buildings is increasing. Plans on the ommendation to move the campus core drawing board include at least three to a pedestrian-friendly environment. additional academic buildings: a second This, of course, necessitated a complete phase of the Multipurpose Classroom reorganization of campus parking. Building, an addition to . the Following a prolonged debate, a new Math/Geosciences Building and a new plan was developed and is in effect. Business Building. Only time - and Slowly, parking is being moved to the money- prevent their construction. periphery of the campus and parking Also, conversations are being held decks are replacing open lots. regarding additional student services Our first deck is scheduled for comple­ facilities - housing, a Student Union tion this summer. When open, the struc­ addition and a health center - and a ture will add 500 new spaces to our new tennis complex. And, we are well inventory. The four-story structure was under way toward bringing Boise State built at a cost of $4.5 million, financed West to reality. With this year's legisla­ through bonds, parking revenues and tive appropriation of $3.5 million, work student fees. Once open, the structure on the infrastructure and the building will provide the fiscal and occupancy design has started. information needed to guide the plan­ As our touring visitors will see, at ning for two more decks as soon as pos­ Boise State expansion is a way of life for sible. Asserting that "land in the middle a campus that is experiencing steady of a campus in the middle of a city is too growth. With the guidance of the valuable to store cars on," the plan rec­ "expansion area"- the 12 blocks bor­ Framework Physical Master Plan, we are ommends five decks overall. dered by University, Lincoln, Beacon using our limited space as wisely as pos­ Other initiatives supporting our new and Denver streets. The university owns sible to meet the needs of our students parking look include construction of two much of this property and is planning on and community. visitor lots - one adjacent to the acquiring additional land as needed and As always I appreciate your Administration Building, the other adja­ as finances permit. comments. You can reach me by phone cent to the Student Union - that would The plan calls for the creation of at (208) 426-1491 or by e-mail at ease access to the campus for our short­ "super blocks" with new buildings sur­ [email protected]. 0 term visitors. Additionally, as vacant lots rounded by green space and quadran­ in our neighborhood become available, gles. The pattern was initiated with the we plan to purchase them for short-term completion of the three-building engi­ parking. neering complex. A second recommendation of the Construction is now under way on the Framework Master Plan was to highlight Student Recreation Center. The 87,000- the campus boundary along the Boise square-foot building will occupy the River. Here again, significant progress is block across from the Student Union evident. Most parking has been removed parking lot. The $12.6 million structure from Campus Lane, leaving the road will be paid for by student fee revenue along the river primarily for pedestrian bonds. and bike traffic. The Greenbelt is being Additionally, the Alumni Association enhanced with additional benches and has purchased a vacated eye clinic at the separators between the limited vehicular corner of University Drive and Grant access road and the pedestrian walkway. Avenue that it will use as an Alumni Center FOCUS/SUMMER 2000 7 m I] ALUM ASSOCIATION FINDS NEW HOME Boise State's Alumni Association has found a home. After years of searching for the right opportunity, the association has purchased a building across from Bronco Stadium that will be converted into an alumni center.