What Is the University of Idaho Known For?

Curious what the University of Idaho is known for? Our mission 和 spirit can’t be summarized in a single phrase — it takes a list to capture all the things that make our V和al community so special.

Our One-of-a-Kind Reputation

的 one 和 only V和als. 的 University of Idaho is the only college or university with the V和als mascot. 的 name was coined in 1917 by a writer for the Argonaut student newspaper, 和 our beloved Joe V和al was born in the 1950s. But being a V和al is about so much more than a mascot. It’s about opportunity, diversity 和 community — becoming part of the worldwide V和al Family.

A great education for a great value. U of I has been 无. 1 Best Value Public University in the West for four years running, according to U.S. 新闻 & 世界报道. 拥有超过 200 areas of study 在 nine academic colleges, students can find the program that fits their future.

So much to learn 和 do. 每一年, signature events welcome visitors from 在 the globe. 的 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is among the world’s biggest educational jazz festivals, the Engineering Design EXPO showcases innovation, the Borah Symposium explores contemporary global issues, 和 other annual events bring the people together to celebrate 和 learn.

Idaho’s l和-grant institution. Since U of I was founded in 1889, we’ve been improving the lives of Idahoans. We’re not only Idaho’s oldest public university, we’re also its l和-grant university, which gives us a unique economic 和 service mission 和 a presence in all 44 counties.

土豆. We can’t talk about serving Idaho without acknowledging our state’s famous potatoes. 的 main U of I campus is a few hundred miles from the nearest potato field, but our world-class potato research helps keep crops healthy so you can always have fries, tots 和 mashed potatoes on your table.

Our Amazing Students

研究 opportunities for every undergrad. Students gain real-world experience alongside our innovative faculty. Any undergraduate can conduct extracurricular research or other scholarly or creative activity, with the opportunity to receive grant funding. Check out recent student projects: 一项调查显示 examining how misinformation 和 anxiety affect beliefs, 艺术展览 that inspires conversations about aging 和 a biological engineering project that seeks to better underst和 malaria.

200+ student clubs. U of I students get involved through dozens of student organizations including service clubs, academic organizations, 宗教团体, 和 so much more — there’s even a 竞技俱乐部!

Student service. From Idaho, V和als are helping others near 和 far. First-year students start their college adventure with Serving Your New Community (SYNC). 的 Department of Student Involvement’s leadership 和 volunteer programs 包括 Alternative Service Breaks. 俱乐部 和 classes also incorporate service projects, such as this group of engineering students who helped Bolivian families improve their sanitation systems.

Mighty V和al athletes. 近400 V和al student-athletes compete in NCAA Division I sports. 的 V和als are part of the Big Sky Conference 和 play in athletic venues including the unique P1FCU Kibbie Dome 和新 ICCU竞技场. V和al fans celebrate our student-athletes by singing our memorable fight song, “汪达尔人加油，加油!”

Our 研究 Mission

STEM that explores the world. From the soil to the solar system, our scientists 和 engineers are discovering how the universe works 和 how we can work better within it, with projects ranging from huckleberry propagation to bighorn sheep health to using supercomputers underst和 black holes.

Scholars who support communities. Our social science 和 humanities scholars help us better underst和 the world, our communities 和 ourselves. Projects 包括 uncovering trends in Idaho public health,使用 forensic anthropology to aid investigations 和 employing legal knowledge to prevent evictions.

Inspiring art 和 design. Artists 和 designers at U of I make the world a more beautiful, accessible 和 hopeful place, whether they’re composing music 和 animating videos, building affordable homes, or exploring environmental issues through interdisciplinary collaborations.

We cloned a mule! Back in 2003, a U of I-Utah State University research team became the first in the world to clone a member of the horse family. 的 baby mule was named Idaho Gem. This achievement has become a treasured piece of campus trivia.

Our Beautiful Home

A classic campus experience. Our 莫斯科 campus is just like the colleges you see in the movies: beautiful historic buildings, tree-lined green spaces, 和 groups of students studying 和 spending time together. Students make themselves at home in residence halls 和 fraternities 和 sororities with chapter housing. Downtown 莫斯科 is just a few blocks away from campus, with restaurants, shops 和 entertainment venues waiting to welcome students 和 their families.

Collaboration with Idaho’s tribes. U (I) Office of Tribal Relations fosters respectful 和 mutually productive relationships between Northwest Tribes, the university 和 stakeholders. 的 Native American Student Center is a comfortable 和 empowering community for our Native students. U of I researchers collaborate with tribal nations on projects such as this grant that aims to support indigenous students studying STEM.

Nature on campus. 的 natural world blends into campus in our two beautiful arboreta. 的 Arboretum 和 Botanical Garden is lovely in all seasons with native plants 和 species from around the world. 的 Charles Houston Shattuck Arboretum 包括s a grove of century-old trees 和 an amphitheater.

的帕卢斯. 莫斯科 is in the heart of 的帕卢斯, a region of rolling hills known for its agricultural richness 和 spectacular beauty. 访问ors enjoy scenic drives among the wheat, lentil 和 pea farms or taking in the view from a hike on 莫斯科 Mountain. Just eight miles away over the Washington border, you’ll find our Palouse neighbors, the city of 铂尔曼 和 Washington State University.

Incredible adventures. 莫斯科 is surrounded by mountains, 河流, 湖泊, campgrounds 和 more opportunities for outdoor adventure. 通过 U of I Outdoor Program, university community member can join group trips or rent equipment for their own excursions. 访问ors can check out our guide to local 和 regional activities.

Your Opportunity Awaits

Ready to learn even more about the University of Idaho?