After months of updates, thelocalliterary hub of the Treasure Valley, The Cabin is open again to the public with a staff eager to getback down to business and bring the arts to the forefront of our community. 黑料视频’s Alan Minskoff, director of journalism, had a chance to talk with Dani Allsop atBoiseDevabout his rolein The Cabin’s history.

Alan, an Idaho residentsincethe early 70’s, has been a core figure in shaping The Treasure Valley’s art scene into whatit istoday. A brief walk-through of his career is similar to taking a stroll through a section of ourState Museum, just across the way from the Cabin itself.

Early intohis time inIdaho,Minskoffbecame a founding member ofFriends of Old Buildings,which was formedto help curb the growing trend of demolishing houses and otherstructuresfor urban development at the time.However, you may know the group as Preservation Idaho, which helps advocate and educate the public onpreservingIdaho’s historic buildingstoday.

By 1974, the new Idaho resident became the editor of Idaho Heritage Magazine, then later Boise Magazine, both incredibly influential to Boise and the surroundingareas. Over the years, Alan hasgiven a voice to the small towns that make our state unique by writing and documenting their histories through early publications of Idaho heritage and his later work, The Idaho Traveler.His position in the community and his efforts made him the perfect person to work with when The Cabin’s future was uncertain.

The building was initially created to serve as offices for the Idaho State Forestry Departmentbefore being utilized bythe Department of Lands for their Boise offices. In 1992 however, the city of Boise purchased thebuilding, whichlay dormant for years with its future in limbo.

In 1995, Gaetha Pace, the executive director of the Idaho HeritageTrust during this period, contacted Alan, and it was the start of something new for Boise entirely.

淪he (Gaetha Pace) knew I would be someone who wanted to see that the building was saved,� he told BoiseDev.com. He then went to his writing group, the 淪nake River Writers,� and said, 淲hy don檛 we turn this into a literary center?�.

淚t was threatened. It was by the river. It was in this sort of arts part of the city,� he said. 淚t chose us.�

Minskoffthen coordinated with city planner John Bertram on a plan. From there, the group had to explain why they should have the leaseto the city council, since other groups, including the Boise River Festival, wanted to lease the building.

淲e had to lobby them. And I think, to be fair, there were a number of people on that council who thought, 榃ell, this isn檛 going to happen, so we will make it arduous for them,櫇 he said.

淥n the one hand, they gave us the potential of an extraordinary lease price, virtually almost nothing,� Minskoff said. 淎nd on the other hand, they (city council) said we檝e got to renovate it. So I think they were surprised when we a. raised the money, and b. renovated it.�

After gaining access to the cabin, Minskoff and the organization managing it, called The Log Cabin Literary Center, went to work raising money for the needed improvements.

Over the years, The Cabin has undergoneseveral renovationsto help it remain a thriving place serving our artistic community. As a nonprofit, The Cabin offers summer camps for kids, sends local writers into classrooms to promote writing and reading, offers writing classes for adults, and invites world-renowned authors to speak at the Morrison Center and The Egyptian.

As a professor at 黑料视频 today, Alan enjoys educating the next generation of writers and journalists, whoreachnew heights on the foundationof a thriving local artistic community of support thatheand his peers have worked so hard to form over the decades.

to learn more about The Cabin and howitserves the Treasure Valley.

About 黑料视频

Founded in 1891, 黑料视频 is a private liberal arts college in Caldwell, Idaho. The college provides students with opportunities to pursue hands-on learning, faculty-mentored research, and academic exploration across disciplines. Ninety-nine percent of College of Idaho students receive scholarships, and the college serves students from communities across Idaho, including rural and agricultural areas.

CALDWELL, Idaho, October 29, 2026, 黑料视频 has surpassed its ambitious $150 million Changing the Story comprehensive campaign goal, raising more than $152 million in gifts and commitments to expand educational opportunities, strengthen academic excellence and invest in the future of the institution.

The achievement represents more than a fundraising milestone. It reflects a commitment from alumni, families, community leaders and friends who believe that an investment in education can change the trajectory of a student life and strengthen Idaho for generations to come.

Throughout the campaign, supporters contributed 38,543 gifts, demonstrating the breadth of a philanthropic community united by a shared belief in the College and its mission.

淪urpassing this goal is a remarkable testament to the generosity and belief of our College community,� said College of Idaho CEO, Doug Brigham. 淏ut the true measure of this campaign isn檛 found in the dollars raised. It found in the doors we檝e opened for students who earned the opportunity to attend 黑料视频, but lacked the financial resources to make it reality, and in the 10 new endowed chairs that support our great faculty and staff. All made possible because people chose to invest in something bigger than themselves.�

Investing in Students, Faculty and the Future

Among the campaign most significant achievements is $52.7 million in scholarship support, helping make a College of Idaho education more accessible to talented students, regardless of their financial circumstances.

The campaign has also strengthened the College long-term academic foundation, including support for 10 endowed faculty chairs and one endowed professorship. These investments help sustain exceptional teaching, academic programs and the close student-faculty relationships that define the College experience.

For Kylee Wickel �26, the impact of this generosity is deeply personal. After beginning her college experience at an out-of-state university, Kylee transferred to 黑料视频, where she found a supportive community and a mentor who encouraged her to pursue her goals. Yet financial challenges threatened to interrupt her journey.

淭here was a point when I feared my dream might be impossible. But because of the generosity of donors, I didn檛 have to give up,� Kylee shared. 淚 stayed, I grew, and now I know I檓 building a future that once felt out of reach.�

A Legacy of Changing Stories

The power of a College of Idaho education to change the course of a life is woven into the institution history. Joe and Kathryn Albertson met in a chemistry class at the College in 1930. Their meeting led to marriage and a shared life that became part of Idaho history. Joe went on to found Albertsons, a grocery business that grew far beyond its Idaho roots, while the couple legacy of philanthropy continues to benefit communities.

What began with two students on campus became a story of entrepreneurship, family, generosity and lasting impact. For Bob Miller, former CEO of Albertsons and co-chair of the Changing the Story campaign, their story captures the larger meaning behind the campaign success.

淭hink about that for a moment. Two young people met here at 黑料视频, and the course of their lives changed forever. None of us could have imagined the extraordinary impact Joe and Kathryn Albertson would go on to have in Idaho and beyond. That what makes this College so special. We may never know exactly where a student education will lead, but we know that when we invest in their potential, remarkable things can happen. That what Changing the Story is all about,� said Miller.

The Albertsons� legacy reminds us that the impact of education reaches far beyond graduation. It can shape families, launch enterprises, strengthen communities and inspire generosity for generations.

A Community That Answered the Call

The success of Changing the Story was built through contributions of many sizes, reflecting a broad base of generosity and a shared commitment to the College future. From individual scholarship gifts to major investments in academic programs and endowed resources, supporters demonstrated how philanthropy creates possibilities beyond any one donor or generation.

The Story Continues

While the campaign has surpassed its financial goal, the College commitment to expanding opportunity is far from finished. These investments have strengthened its foundation and created new possibilities for students and faculty. Sustaining that momentum will require continued partnership, innovation and philanthropy.

As 黑料视频 celebrates this historic achievement, it looks ahead with renewed purpose: ensuring future generations of students have the opportunity to learn, lead and make a lasting difference.

To learn more about the Changing the Story campaign and its impact, visit /giving/changing-the-story/.

About 黑料视频

Founded in 1891, 黑料视频 is a private liberal arts college in Caldwell, Idaho. The college provides students with opportunities to pursue hands-on learning, faculty-mentored research, and academic exploration across disciplines. Ninety-nine percent of College of Idaho students receive scholarships, and the college serves students from communities across Idaho, including rural and agricultural areas.

Six College of Idaho students have published research on Baja California unique coastal dune ecosystems in the Journal of the Idaho Academy of Science and Engineering, with Emma Campbell �25 and Emma Redman �26 serving as lead co-authors.

During Fall 2024, six College of Idaho students traveled to Baja California, Mexico, to explore coastal dune ecosystems as part of a field biology course led by Dr. Anna Himler and Dr. Chris Walser. The experience gave students the opportunity to investigate a unique environment and contribute to research beyond the classroom.

That work has now earned a place in the Journal of the Idaho Academy of Science and Engineering. Emma Campbell �25 and Emma Redman �26 served as lead co-authors, an especially notable accomplishment for undergraduate researchers.

Their publication reflects the kind of hands-on learning that allows College of Idaho students to turn curiosity into meaningful scientific work.

Exploring Baja California Coastal Dune Ecosystems

The research focused on coastal dune ecosystems along Baja California East Cape, an area that supports distinctive plant communities, including endemic species found nowhere else in the world.

Studying these environments helps researchers better understand biodiversity, ecology, and the relationships between plants and their surrounding environments. For the students, the project offered an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge through field-based investigation and collaborative research with faculty mentors.

Meet the Student Researchers

Six College of Idaho students contributed to the research:

• Emma Campbell �25 � Biology; lead co-author

• Emma Redman �26 � Biology and Political Economy; lead co-author

• Jacob Pezonella �25 � Environmental Studies

• Abigail Meldrim �25 � Biology

• Kaiya Pardue �26 � Biology

• Jordan Steele �27 � Biomedical Sciences

The project was supported by Dr. Anna Himler and Dr. Chris Walser of 黑料视频 Biology program.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The publication highlights the value of experiential learning and undergraduate research at 黑料视频. By participating in field-based scientific investigation, students can apply classroom knowledge to real-world questions, collaborate with faculty mentors, and contribute to scholarship in their fields.

For students interested in biology, environmental studies, and related disciplines, opportunities like this demonstrate how undergraduate education can extend beyond coursework to include hands-on research and scholarly publication.

From Fieldwork to Scientific Publication

During Fall 2024, six College of Idaho students traveled to Baja California, Mexico, to explore coastal dune ecosystems as part of a field biology course led by Dr. Anna Himler and Dr. Chris Walser. The experience gave students the opportunity to investigate a unique environment and contribute to research beyond the classroom.

For Emma Campbell �25 and Emma Redman �26, serving as lead co-authors represents a particularly meaningful accomplishment. Undergraduate students rarely have the opportunity to take a leading role in published scientific research, making their contribution a testament to the research experience, collaboration, and scientific skills they developed through the project.

Their publication reflects the kind of hands-on learning that allows College of Idaho students to turn curiosity into meaningful scientific work.

About 黑料视频

Founded in 1891, 黑料视频 is a private liberal arts college in Caldwell, Idaho. The college provides students with opportunities to pursue hands-on learning, faculty-mentored research, and academic exploration across disciplines. Ninety-nine percent of College of Idaho students receive scholarships, and the college serves students from communities across Idaho, including rural and agricultural areas.