ISU and City of Pocatello Proclaim Bengal Community Partnership and Homecoming Agreements

"Neither succeeds alone," Idaho State University President Robert Wagner said during a Pocatello City Council meeting Thursday, where council members approved a new agreement between the two entities and declared October 5-10, 2026 as ISU Homecoming Week.

The Bengal Community Partnership agreement solidifies a growing collaboration between the city and the university, and creates a multi-agency cabinet made up of five members from each of the partners. President Wagner and Mayor Mark Dahlquist will serve as co-chairs of the group, who will work to enhance collaboration opportunities between the two organizations, identify community issues and develop solutions that benefit city residents, university students and the broader community. Council member Dakota Bates, who was among a small group of people who spearheaded the effort, said the agreement moves the city beyond just cheering for Idaho State, but into being a functioning, reliable partner.

"For 125 years, the story of ISU has been intertwined with Pocatello. We didn't grow up next to one another, we've grown up together, and our future should be built together," said Wagner. "Our goal is not to create another agreement that sits on the shelf, but to build an even stronger working relationship between Idaho State University and the City of Pocatello."

Citing students as the first priority for ISU, Wagner said the university wants to help students find their home both as they experience campus and in our community.

"We want them downtown, we want them in our businesses and neighborhoods, we want them serving in the community, completing internships, launching companies, building relationships and creating memories," Wagner stated. "And when they graduate, we want more of them than ever to look around and say 'why on Earth would I leave?'"

The city also approved a proclamation that officially names October 5-10, 2026 as ISU Homecoming Week in Pocatello. Read by Mayor Dahlquist, the proclamation states that "Idaho State University Homecoming brings together Bengals past and present, welcoming students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, friends, businesses and community members to celebrate the traditions, achievements, and enduring spirit of Idaho State University."

Dahlquist invited all residents to participate in the many activities and events during Homecoming week, and urged them to welcome alumni and guests to Pocatello. The weeklong event features a parade, bonfire, football game, and alumni awards ceremony. New this year, the Homecoming Digital Passport offers a chance to win tickets and field passes to the ISU vs. Montana State football game on November 7.

In the proclamation, Dahlquist also noted the longstanding history between the two groups.

"Idaho State University has been an integral part of the Pocatello community for more than a century, serving as a place of learning, opportunity, innovation and connection for generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members," Dahlquist read. "Idaho State University is more than an institution of higher education. It is the heartbeat of Pocatello, contributing to the cultural, educational, economic and civic vitality of our city and strengthening the connections that make our community unique."

Homecoming Details
Visit the Idaho State University Alumni Association social media pages on October 4 to access the Homecoming Passport Challenge. Challenges officially begin on October 5, when you can start checking off activities throughout Homecoming Week.

Complete 15 of the 25 passport challenges by attending events, exploring campus traditions, and participating in Homecoming activities. Every challenge is another opportunity to experience all that Homecoming has to offer.

Complete at least 15 challenges by 4 PM during the President's Alumni and Bengal Tailgate to be automatically entered into a drawing to win two (2) game tickets and two (2) field passes to the Idaho State Football game on November 7 vs. Montana State.

Visit isu.edu/homecoming for all of the week's event details.