One Boise State. Five priorities.
David Hahn formally began his presidency Thursday afternoon — with a call for “shared purpose” and an outline of commitments to the Boise State University community and the state.
Hahn’s list of priorities includes an ambitious fundraising drive, and enhanced partnerships with Idaho employers.
“One Boise State begins with our students, faculty, and staff,” Hahn said at a ceremony marking his investiture as Boise State’s eighth president. “But it extends far beyond campus.”
A president’s investiture is steeped in academic tradition, and Hahn’s ceremony was steeped in Bronco culture — with performances by a Boise State choral ensemble and the Blue Thunder Marching Band, and an unannounced cameo from football coach Spencer Danielson. Thursday’s ceremony also came nearly four months into Hahn’s actual presidency; the State Board of Education hired Hahn on July 1, bringing a turbulent 16-month job search to a conclusion.
But Hahn leveraged the moment, and used a 17-minute speech, to hammer home the “one Boise State” theme. He also articulated his five goals: student success; preparing graduates for the workforce; university research; philanthropy and athletics.
Hahn’s to-do list contained at least one new wrinkle. He pledged to build on Boise State’s $500 million Unbridled fundraising campaign, setting a new $700 million target with an emphasis on student opportunities, research and endowed dean’s positions. “We can do that, together,” he said.
Boise State hit the $500 million target in 2025, and Unbridled has now raised $565 million.
Hahn — who came to Boise State from the University of Arizona, where he served as dean of the college of engineering — restated his commitment to research.
He again pledged to pursue top-tier R1 research status through the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a designation that could bring more research funding to the university. He also said Boise State should put its research to work “to power and protect” Idaho.
Hahn also said Boise State needs to work closely with Idaho businesses from high-tech to healthcare, with a focus on hands-on learning and internships. “Our responsibility is to prepare the next generation of talent.”
Hahn doubled down on athletics. Weeks after the State Board of Education gave Boise State athletics the go-ahead to run on an $18 million deficit — and use other university funds to make up the gap — Hahn called sports an essential part of the university’s mission. Hahn said Boise State can build one of the nation’s premier athletic programs, even in a turbulent time for intercollegiate sports.
“Boise State will not sit on the sidelines and wait for someone else to determine our future,” Hahn said.
But Hahn said his first commitment — and his highest priority — is student success. And Hahn began his speech with a shoutout to the ceremony’s opening speaker: Ramiro Mendoza, a Boise State junior majoring in marketing.
Mendoza, a Homedale native, is a first-generation student. At first, Mendoza said he wasn’t sure he was college material. And he said he had to adjust to the campus and to larger classes. Now, he volunteers to help other students following his path, and making similar adjustments. “I’m standing here as proof of what happens when opportunity meets community.”
Hahn thanked Mendoza for sharing his story. “You remind us why we are here and who we serve.”
Other speakers took turns praising Hahn.
Danielson said he spoke to Hahn before he was hired — and could tell immediately that his soon-to-be boss was fully invested in Boise State. “I’m so fired up that President Hahn is our president.”
Biology professor Amy Ulappa, president of the Boise State faculty Senate, praised Hahn for tirelessly getting out and engaging with the campus community. Hahn, she said, is exactly the kind of president the faculty wanted. “We just wanted someone who would get us.”
Joelle Powers, dean of Boise State’s College of Health Sciences, conveyed a similar sentiment. “It feels like we were waiting for you for a long time.”
