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Nez Perce Tribe Pledges to Multi-Purpose Community
Center - College Close to Meeting Fundraising Goal
The Nez Perce Tribe confirmed on Friday their intent to contribute $22,000 to the campaign
fund for LCSC’s multi-purpose activity center Lewis-Clark State College campus. The
pledge was made in an administrative action taken by the tribe’s executive committee.
“We’re happy to have the opportunity to provide funding to help meet the
Activity Center’s campaign funding goal,” said Samuel N. Penney, Chairman of the
Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. “The Activity Center is an important addition
to the LCSC campus and the local community. It’s a place that will bring all of us in
the community closer together."
There are many cultural and historic bonds between the Nez Perce Tribe and Lewis-Clark
State College,” said Penney. “Decades of shared hopes and dreams run
between us. It is fitting to symbolize this association in a manner that will provide
quality education facilities for generations to come."
Jody Oftelie, LCSC’s Director of College Advancement, termed the action, “a
significant contribution made at a significant time. The tribe’s pledge puts us very
close to achieving our goal.” The college is in the process of confirming outstanding
verbal pledges to the campaign before declaring it finished.
LCSC’s President, Dr. Dene Thomas said, “We deeply appreciate the tribe’s
contribution to this effort. LCSC is proud of our relationship with the Nez Perce Tribe,
and we will continue to strengthen and expand it.” Thomas also remarked on the
“incredible generosity” of the 400-plus donors that have contributed to the
campaign’s success to date. “This college is truly connected to the community;
it’s part of their lives…People feel a sense of ownership here, and are
enthusiastic about our future."
The prospect of building the center came home to Lewis-Clark Valley residents in April,
when Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed House Bill 373, authorizing appropriations from
the State Public Works Projects/Permanent Building Fund. Appropriately, the Governor took
the action during press conference in the old gymnasium, which was constructed in 1938.
Funding for the center will come from both the State of Idaho and LCSC’s own
fundraising efforts. The college undertook an ambitious campaign to raise $3.5 million
toward the project in 1997, and raised 1.5 million dollars for the activity in three years
on the campaign. LCSC students pledged $2 million toward the project, to be assessed
through fees over the next 25 years. The college, through alumni, individuals, corporate
and community contributors, has raised the next $ 1.5 million.
The entire project is estimated to be worth $16.4 million and will replace existing
outdated, undersized facilities on campus.
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