ISU Homecoming 2024
The Idaho State University Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Homecoming Awards. This prestigious recognition honors distinguished alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their professional fields and have made significant contributions to their communities and the university.
The 2024 Homecoming Awards will be presented at the Alumni Recognition Dinner, which will kick off the Homecoming weekend festivities. The formal dinner is scheduled for Friday, September 20, at the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center. This annual event is a highlight of the Homecoming celebration, bringing together alumni, students, faculty and friends of ISU to honor the achievements and legacy of our esteemed graduates.
2024 Homecoming Award Recipients
Dr. Nicki Chopski ‘97
ISU Distinguished Alumna
Dr. Linda and Dr. Ronald Hatzenbuehler
President's Medallion
Mr. Wade and Mrs. Karen Tolman ‘75
William J. Bartz Award
Dr. Chris DeCou ‘15
Young Alumnus Award
Dr. Cindy Hill
ISU Achievement Award
Dr. James "Byrd" Yizar Jr. ‘83, ‘90 and ‘11
ISU Distinguished Service Award
Mrs. Sharon ‘86 and Mr. Park Price, III
Parade Marshals
Dr. Nicki Chopski
ISU Distinguished Alumna Award
Dr. Nicole Chopski earned her PharmD from Idaho State University's College of Pharmacy in 1997. She served on the Idaho Board of Pharmacy starting in 2007 and became its Executive Director in 2019, after 12 years as a hospital pharmacist. Currently, as Bureau Chief of Health Professions for Idaho's Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, she oversees the Boards of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Dr. Chopski is highly regarded nationally in the pharmacy community, notably within the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), advocating for regulatory advancements.
Known for her integrity and deep understanding of healthcare issues, Dr. Chopski is dedicated to enhancing pharmacy standards and care models. Her leadership extends to numerous affiliations, awards, and engagements, emphasizing her commitment to healthcare professionals and regulatory practices.
Dr. Chopski is passionate and dedicated to advancing pharmacy regulation at the state and national levels. Her contributions merit recognition for her transformative impact on pharmacy practice and regulation.
Linda and Ron Hatzenbuehler
President's Medallion
Linda and Ron Hatzenbuehler moved from Kent State University in Ohio to Idaho State University in 1972 to begin Ron’s assistant professor position in the History Department; it was the only academic job offer he received that year (or has ever received, for that matter). Linda—who had completed her doctoral level course work in clinical psychology—was what was known in 1972 not so flatteringly and inaccurately as “a trailing spouse.” After completing her doctorate in 1977, she became an assistant professor in the ISU Psychology Department, served as assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences from 1983 to 1986, and became Dean of the Kasiska College of Health Professions in 1986.
During his ISU career, Ron taught introductory courses in US History and upper division courses in his specialty, early US History. Mortar Board Honorary Society twice honored him as Professor of the Semester, and he was named University Professor of the Year in 1994. He served as chair of the History Department (1974 to 1977); as intern in the ISU Teaching and Learning Center (1996 to 1998); as an associate dean in the College of Arts and Letters (2010-2013); and currently as Emeritus Professor of History, beginning in 2014.
Linda continued to teach introductory psychology courses and upper division and graduate courses in her specialty, forensic psychology, as she moved into higher administration. In 2009, she became Associate Academic Vice-President and in 2020, Vice-Provost and Executive Dean for the Health Professions. She retired from ISU in 2016, was accorded emerita status in 2017, and continues to mentor graduate students in her private practice. In 2008, Linda received the ISU Distinguished Service Award; in 2014 she and Ron served as Grand Marshals for the Homecoming Parade; and both have been honored with ISU scholarships in their names.
Not only has ISU given them the opportunity to teach decades of students and serve the university in leadership roles, but it also has provided a platform for them to volunteer in a variety of community outreach activities. Linda became a mental health advocate at the national and state levels and twice served as chair of the Idaho Mental Health Planning Council. From 2014 to 2023, she was a member and president of the Idaho Suicide Prevention Council, and she currently serves as a member of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Advisory Committee; the Wood River Hospice Association; and the Boards of the Idaho State-Civic Symphony and the Portneuf Medical Center. Ron has participated in numerous programs sponsored by the Idaho Humanities Council, was honored by the IHC with its Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award in 2008, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Idaho Public Television.
In addition, ISU and the greater Pocatello community have provided a nurturing environment for Linda and Ron to raise a family. Of their many accomplishments, they are proudest of their family. Son John is a family practice and sports medicine physician in the Wood River Valley area; he and wife Stephanie, who is a clinical social worker providing mental health services, have a daughter Eva and a son Miles. Daughter Lindsay is a pediatrician in Houston, TX; she and her husband Nathaniel, who works for Chevron between running, biking, brewing, and tending his bees, have a daughter Abigail and a son Julian. Son Patrick is a faculty member and Extension Specialist in Agricultural Economics for the University of Idaho who enjoys traveling the world promoting food sustainability; part of his training took place in Nigeria, where he lived for four years.
Although they enjoy being in their residences in the Wood River Valley area and H-Town, they still call the University Historic Neighborhood in Pocatello “home.” GO BENGALS!!
Wade and Karen Tolman
William J. Bartz Award
Wade and Karen Tolman were born, raised, and educated in Pocatello, Idaho. They were classmates at Pocatello High School and attended college together at Idaho State University. As students, Wade served as an officer in ISU’s chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon (the Economics honor society), and Karen was an officer of the campus chapter of LDSSA (the LDS Student Association). While attending ISU, they were married, worked full-time evening jobs until graduation, and started their family.
Wade earned a B.S. degree in Economics and immediately accepted a job in the banking industry. While employed, he earned a graduate degree in banking operations from the School for Bank Administration at the University of Wisconsin. After a 30-year career, he retired from KeyCorp (holding company for Key Bank and affiliates) as the Executive Vice President and Manager of Enterprise Technology Operations. Karen earned a B.A. in Business Administration and initially chose to be a “stay-at-home” mom during their family’s growing up years. During that time, she spent many years as a piano teacher. Eventually, she accepted a position as the office manager for the LDS church educational system in Cleveland, OH. Because of work, they had the opportunity to live in many interesting locations including Boise, ID, Portland, OR, Albany, NY and Cleveland, OH.
After retirement, Wade and Karen moved from Cleveland, OH, back to Pocatello, ID., where they could once again enjoy the Western lifestyle. He enjoys reading, fly-fishing and many different shooting sports. He also enjoyed photography and many extended trips on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Karen is an avid reader and quilter. She regularly enjoys getting away with friends for extended quilting retreats. They were members of the community choir, Camerata Singers, for many years, and in addition to performing locally, they were privileged to tour Scandinavia and East Germany with the choir.
Wade has been involved with ISU in one capacity or another since returning to Pocatello. He served for nine years as a member of the dean’s advisory board for the College of Arts and Sciences which is now the College of Arts and Letters and served as chairman of the board for five years. In 2011, he was honored to receive the College of Arts and Letters Outstanding Professional Achievement Award. In addition, Wade was a member of the ISU Foundation board of directors for six years, serving as chair of the finance committee and a member of the investment and executive committees. He is now an emeritus member of the Foundation board of directors.
Upon returning to Pocatello, they were grateful for the opportunity to donate to the construction of ISU’s Stephen’s Performing Arts Center. They have also established a scholarship endowment fund to assist graduate students in the College of Arts and Letters.
They are the parents of two wonderful daughters and grandparents of 5 terrific grandchildren.
They are grateful to ISU for the wonderful start in life that it gave them and have been happy for the opportunity to do something for the University in return.
Dr. Chris DeCou
Young Alumnus Award
Dr. Chris DeCou is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and leads the Amazon Global Behavioral Health Team. His team is focused on reinventing behavioral health on behalf of Amazonians, and ensuring that all employees and their families have access to high quality mental health resources. Chris is also President Emeritus of Amazon’s Mental Health and Well-being Affinity Group.
Chris is an affiliate faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine, in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and earned his PhD at Idaho State University. He has authored and co-authored 44 papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Prior to becoming a psychologist, Chris has worked as an Alaskan wilderness guide and first responder. When not at work, Chris enjoys spending as much time as possible with his family, reading obscure books, and gardening at his home in North Bend, Washington.
Dr. Cindy Hill
ISU Achievement Award
Cynthia D. Hill, Ph.D., has served as vice provost for institutional effectiveness and initiatives at Idaho State University since 2021. She provides leadership to the institution for curriculum development, regional and specialized accreditation, student success efforts, and state-level priorities. Over the past two decades Dr. Hill has undertaken many administrative roles, which focused on student success, faculty development, curricular innovation, and educational advancement. These positions included the director of the University Honors Program, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, executive director of the Student Success Center, and assistant and associate vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Hill earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana and her Ph.D. from Washington State University, both in economics.
Dr. Hill has won numerous teaching and public service awards over her 28-year tenure at ISU, including the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Idaho Professor of the Year, two-time Master Teacher, five-time Most Influential Professor, two-time Outstanding Public Servant, Distinguished Public Servant, and the Southeast Idaho Business and Achievement Award for Education. Dr. Hill is the co-author of two economics textbooks for introductory level students. In her spare time, Cindy can be found in the beautiful Idaho outdoors with her husband Mike and her Labrador retriever Trigger.
Dr. James "Byrd" Yizar
ISU Distinguished Service Award
Dr. James H. Yizar Jr. (commonly known as Byrd) was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and has worked in Higher Education since 1979 in numerous retention service and leadership positions at the university level. In his current role as Associate Director, he provides advocacy services to student-athletes of color and minority students enrolled in university programs. A primary focus of his duties includes building relationships among University departments and reducing silos to address enrollment concerns for students of color. Dr. Yizar, when needed assists with delivery of targeted retention programming or intervention services directed towards conflict resolutions among various student groups. He has since 2015 maintained a role with the university Ombuds Program which works with staff employees at the institution offering informal conflict resolution options.
In previous roles at Idaho State University (ISU), he was responsible for providing services and programming activities to enrolled individuals that addressed diversity, gender and student-athlete well-being issues. From 2006-10, he served as Associate Dean of Students and coordinated the Vice President for Student Affairs diversity and crisis management initiatives for ‘at-risk’ students. From 2000-06, he served as the Assistant Dean of Students and coordinated leadership services between Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, student organizations and community agencies. Prior to that position, he served as the TRIO Director from 1994-2006, the Assistant TRIO Director from 1990-94 and a counselor and learning specialist from 1984-90 and tutor for the Upward Bound program from 1979-1984.
Dr. Yizar has been involved in many campus-wide assignments and community projects and organizations throughout his higher education career. He served as a steering committee member for athletics NCAA department certification, coordinated new freshman parent orientation programs, and coordinated new and transfer student-athletes early report orientation. Other assignments included Coordinator of New Student Orientation Program, Director of Diversity Resource Center, Interim Director for University Housing, Chair of the Multicultural Committee, and was elected to ISU Staff Council for a three year appointment (2013-2016) and was council president in 2016/17.
Dr. Yizar’s community involvement includes life-time membership in the NAACP and past NAACP Pocatello branch president and is a member of the Pocatello Centennial Rotary Club and past club president. He is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honors Society in the Field of Education, and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society. He is also a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) professional/career organizations.
Dr. Yizar has received numerous recognitions and honors but is humbled by the: NAACP Medgar W. Evers Award given by the Pocatello NAACP Branch for service to community youth (won award twice); the Humanitarian of the Year Award given by the City of Pocatello Human Relations Advisory Committee for providing leadership and assistance to citizens living in Pocatello communities; the Advisor of the Year for Small Chapters that was given by Kappa Alpha Psi for providing leadership and mentoring services to undergraduate men in pursuit of collegiate academic success (won award
twice); and being a member of the 2013 ISU Sport Hall of Fame induction class for Lifetime Achievement.
Dr. Yizar’s degrees include a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in secondary education; Master in Counseling (M.Coun) with an emphasis in Student Personnel in Higher Education, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration all from Idaho State University. He also has a Management Development Program certificate from Harvard University and certificates of competencies in Conflict Management and Leadership/Diversity training.
Dr. Yizar is married to Joanna and has two daughters; his oldest is Jamiece and is married to Trevor and they gave him his first granddaughter (Gracen), and his youngest daughter is Jaelyn. He was a Division I track athlete and a member of three Big Sky Championships teams as a sprinter and relay participant.
Sharon and Park Price, III
Parade Grand Marshals
Sharon and Park have left an indelible mark on Idaho through their unwavering commitment to community service and the arts. In 1979, Sharon and Park settled in Pocatello after a decade of nomadic living due to Park’s work with General Motors. Their arrival marked the beginning of extensive community involvement.
Park’s dedication to community service is evident through his tenure on the ISU Foundation Board. During his time on the board, a successful campaign led to the construction of the Stephens Performing Arts Center, a significant addition to the community. Sharon completed her American Studies degree at ISU, solidifying her connection to the university. She further championed ISU’s causes by serving on the Alumni Board and the Centennial Celebration Committee.
In 2004, the couple moved to Idaho Falls, where Park assumed leadership roles on several boards, including the PERSI Board, the Bank of Idaho Board, the Board of Trustees for the College of Eastern Idaho, and Idaho Business for Education. Meanwhile, Sharon’s passion for the arts continued as she served as an Emeritus Board member of both the Idaho Falls Symphony and the Idaho Falls Arts Council.
Sharon’s commitment to community service extends to Idaho Public Television, where she currently serves on the board, further exemplifying her dedication to enriching the cultural fabric of Idaho.
Nominations for Homecoming Awards are submitted in writing on the official Homecoming nomination form and shall include all personal data and information relevant to the candidate's qualifications. Nominations can be submitted by anyone and are due in the Office of Alumni Relations no later than the end of March for awards given in the Fall of that same year.
ISU Distinguished Alumna/us:
Established in 1960 this award recognizes exemplary professional and personal contributions resulting in national or international recognition.
ISU Achievement Award:
Established in 1984, this award recognizes personal actions, generosity and self-sacrifice on behalf of the University by a current faculty member or an emeritus faculty member.
ISU Distinguished Service Award:
Established in 2004, this award recognizes ISU staff members who have shown exceptional loyalty to the University through an extended period of employment.
William J. Bartz Award:
Established in 1976, this award recognizes continued support and development of ISU through personal actions, participation in University affairs and financial support regardless of alumni status.
President's Medallion:
Established in 2001 in recognition of Centennial celebration, this award honors friends and alumni whose outstanding accomplishments and exemplary service bring distinction to the University and advance higher education.
Homecoming Parade Marshal(s):
Established in 1984, this award recognizes faculty, staff or alumni who have made a significant impact in the ISU community. This award is presented by the ASISU president.
Young Alumni Award:
Established in 2012, this award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the last ten years for exceptional achievement in career, public service and volunteerism that brings honor to the University.