Donor Support

Alumni Kathryn “Kaye” and Dr. Lawrence “Larry” Knight

long have been supporters of and loyal donors to the University of Idaho. The Knights have taken a particular interest in support of science and math education and committed a generous gift to create the Kathryn and Lawrence Knight STEM Faculty Fellowship. The pair are expanding that commitment to support of the College of Education Building Renovation project.

“We want to help underwrite the cause of providing a decent place for the College of Education,” said Larry, who received his UI bachelor’s in pre-med in 1956 and his medical degree from the University of Washington.

He and Kaye, who received her degree in education in 1955, have not only offered financial support, but they have also volunteered countless hours of service on university and COE advisory boards, including Larry serving as president of the Alumni Association. The couple have received the President’s Medallion, the Jim Lyle Alumni Award for volunteerism and the UI Silver and Gold Award for outstanding service.

Not only did Kaye receive her degree in education, but two of the couple’s five children have made a career in education — one is in secondary education and another is a math professor. Technology in education remains a priority for COE as well the Knights.

“I think it is absolutely essential that there is a building flexible enough to serve the needs of the college for the next three generations.” Larry said. “With modern classrooms, which can be flexible enough to serve a variety of needs with digital, visual and audio capabilities to accommodate the modern technology of teaching.”

Wade Rumney (’69, Education) may have taught only a year before changing careers and serving as a postmaster until his retirement in 2003, but education remains among his passions. He has remained a loyal supporter of the University of Idaho and has displayed his Vandal pride through a donation to the College of Education Building Renovation Project.

“The College of Education doesn’t get what it should as far as I’m concerned. Teachers aren’t getting paid what they should be,” Wade said.

Rumney, who has been a financial supporter of UI for more than two decades, is looking forward to seeing the College of Education expand and believes the College of Education is where money needs to be spent.

After graduating from UI, he entered the Navy before teaching in Florida for a year. He then moved back to his home state of Colorado where he started working for the U.S. Postal Service. He now lives north of Seattle and recalls his time in Moscow fondly.

“Going to classes was always an adventure where I was learning something new and interesting.”