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BSU looses benefactor, but recieves final gift
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Boise State received $1.61 million gift from the Yanke family in
honor of the late Ron Yanke. “Ron had a longtime history of
generosity to Boise State, and this gift from his family is a
fitting epitaph,” said Rick Smith, vice president for
university advancement.
The university will purchase Capitol Village, valued at $6.61
million, from the Yanke family for $5 million; the Yanke family
will gift the $1.61 million difference to BSU. Over 20 years Ron
Yanke gave $1.49 million to BSU, helping complete such projects as
the Simplot/Micron Building and the expansion of Bronco
Stadium.
Ron Yanke, who passed away in February at the age of 68, was a
low-key man who liked to remain anonymous. “He didn’t
feel he needed any kind of publicity,” said son-in-law Bryan
Norby, “He’d rather focus on the university.”
True to form, the Yanke Family presented the gift with little
ceremony; The Arbiter was the only press allowed.
An assembly of university vice presidents and faculty gathered in
the Bishop Barnwell room to express their gratitude. A photo of
Bishop Barnwell looked into the crowd with a bemused smile; yellow
chrysanthemums brighted the left wall of the dimly-light room. The
Yanke family gathered to present Ron’s final gift to BSU. The
wife of the late Ron Yanke dabbed her eyes twice before putting on
a smile for the photographer.
Nate Yanke, the eldest grandson, remembered riding motorcycles with
his grandfather every weekend at his Donnelly cabin. Nate said that
as he walked across campus, he was amazed to see his
grandfather’s name listed under contributors.
“It’s a surprise to find out how much he has done for
everybody.”
Son-in-law Bryan Norby recounted how Ron made sure his collection
of antique automobiles were all in running condition, including the
coal- burning fire engine, which Norby likes to take to Kuna Days.
Ron’s motto was “If it didn’t work you could
always find a way to make it work,” said Norby.
The land and buildings, which once held an Office Depot, face
Capitol Boulevard. The university will honor the leases of the
business currently operating, according to Stacy Pearson, interim
vice president for finance and administration. “Our intent is
to use the parcel for university space needs,” Pearson
said.
In his speech President Kustra talked about the need for lab space
as BSU grows into a research university. “We are really tight
on space, [this gift] just means so much to the
university.”
Monica Price
News Reporter
