Boise State University has received a $500,000 commitment from a local business owner, John D. Jackson, to help construct the new College of Business and Economics building.

Jackson announced his donation to the university during the annual Boise State Foundation Board meeting on campus. Jackson serves on the Foundation Board of Directors and Boise State’s Destination Distinction campaign steering committee.

“A strong, dynamic business college in the Treasure Valley is essential for the state’s economic development, and John Jackson’s commitment to Boise State helps ensure its impact for years to come,” said Boise State President Bob Kustra. “He is one of Boise State’s and Idaho’s success stories, and we thank him for giving back in support of a high quality learning environment for future students.”

The Micron Technology Foundation committed to a $12.5 million lead gift for the business building in 2007, with $5 million of it contingent on Boise State raising $5 million in matching funds by the end of 2009. With the Meet the Match deadline quickly approaching, this donation puts the university within $1.5 million of the goal.

“This gift is an investment in the future of Boise State University and the College of Business and Economics,” Jackson said. “Business education is all about preparing today’s students to become tomorrow’s business leaders.”

Overall, the new business building is part of a comprehensive campaign to transform Boise State into a metropolitan research university. Destination Distinction is a $175 million fundraising initiative for the people, places and programs of Boise State. To date, almost $116 million has been raised from alumni and friends in current and future gifts to support the university’s strategic plan for facilities, students, faculty, academic programs, athletics and research.

Jackson attended Boise State and majored in accounting. His gift will establish the Jackson Commons, the grand entryway and first impression of the new College of Business and Economics building that will be constructed at the corner of Capitol Boulevard and University Drive, where the former University Inn is located. Boise State hopes to begin construction on the $35 million building in spring 2010.

The Jackson Commons

The Jackson Commons will be the heart of the building both structurally and metaphorically. It will be the main circulation route through the building and will provide an open, inviting, productive space for students, faculty and leaders from business and government organizations to interact. This hub of activity will house a café, an open computer lab, community bulletin boards, flexible seating to accommodate small or large working groups and a welcoming hearth.

“The Jackson Commons will honor Mr. Jackson’s nationally recognized success as an entrepreneur, an individual who has dreamed big, worked hard and been such an important part of the Idaho business community,” said Pat Shannon, dean of the College of Business and Economics.

Jackson, a Chevron/Texaco and Shell marketer based in Meridian, founded Jacksons Food Stores Inc. in 1975 as a single service station and has grown it to a chain of approximately 200 branded convenience stores in four western states. Jackson also owns and operates Jackson Oil and Capitol Distributing. Jackson Oil is a wholesale and transportation company delivering fuel to 400-plus locations in nine western states. Capitol Distributing is a grocery wholesaler that delivers merchandise to more than 400 convenience store locations in five western states.

Boise State’s business college has achieved the gold standard of accreditation. Only about 4 percent of all the business programs in the world and 20 percent in the United States have AACSB accreditation, and Boise State is one of them. Next year, its graduate programs will be included in the “Princeton Review” Best Business School ranking. More than 3,600 students at Boise State major in business and economics.

For more information about the College of Business and Economics and Meet the Match, visit http://cobe.boisestate.edu or contact Cheryl Larabee at (208) 426-2039.