Boise State Environmental Research Building Nears Completion

That flurry of activity you see all around the Boise State campus these days is a metropolitan research univeristy of distinction growing up before our eyes. 

Last month I did an initial story on the foundation being laid for the new Micron Business Building and will have updates soon on the progress there.  The Environmental Research Building (next to the engineering complex) is set to open this summer. 



The five-story, 97,000-square-foot structure is dedicated to creating a dynamic new focus on issues central to the region and the state’s future vibrancy.  It is Boise State’s first dedicated research building and will support a Western agenda on the environment, transportation, water, land use and community and regional planning.

The departments of Geosciences, Civil Engineering, Public Policy and Administration and Political Science will begin moving into the building near the end of the semester.

Numerous energy-saving strategies have been incorporated into the project, including a variable-air volume HVAC system with high efficiency condensing hot-water boilers, increased wall and roof insulation, high-efficiency windows, and a low window-wall ratio.

Boise State's Symphonic Winds Blow Across National Stage

The Boise State Symphonic Winds performed two original works Thursday for the 2011 National Conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Seattle.  The 65-member Bronco group was one of eight from across the nation selected to perform.  The Association is the leading professional organization for college band programs in the United States--no band from Idaho had ever been invited previously.

The Symphonic Winds has been recognized at regional competitions as one of the top concert groups in the Northwest and has performed at numerous state and regional conventions.

"It is an honor and a significant accomplishment to be selected to perform at a national conference and it is a true barometer of the growth and quality of teaching at Boise State,” said Marcellus Brown, band director and professor of music at Boise State.

The 65-member Symphonic Winds performed five works during a 50-minute program. They included two original commissioned works: “This is Africa” by Shawn Okpebholo, a freelance composer and educator from Cincinnati, Ohio; and “Reminiscences” by Mark D. Camphouse, professor in the School of Music at George Mason University.  Both composers visited Boise State earlier this month to work with the Symphonic Winds on their pieces, offering ideas and insights to help the band perform their works as they had envisioned them.

Marcellus Brown

This national performance featured Brown as conductor, along with fellow music professors Eric Smedley as guest conductor and Leslie Moreau as clarinet soloist.