KEITH AND PATT RIFFLE Couple being honored

Alumni Keith and Patricia “Patt” Riffle separately are being honored for their contributions to the University of Idaho. Keith will be receiving the President’s Medallion and Patt will be presented with the first-ever College of Education Outstanding Alumni Award.

Patt received her bachelor’s in education in 1963 and went on to become a teacher for many years. She has been a member of the Regional Campaign Committee for Seattle, a former Education Advisory Board member and involved in the UI Foundation.

This award is given in recognition of Patt’s many years of service as a teacher, as well as for her active role as a philanthropist and a volunteer. A longtime advocate for gifted education, Patt taught in the Challenge Gifted Program in Edmonds, Washington, and helped form the Quest Program and WAETAG, a professional group for teachers of gifted programs. Patt also made a major impact on education at the state level when she helped develop and lobby for legislation to fund statewide gifted programs in Washington. Patt has been an active Vandal since she graduated and was an involved member of the college’s Advocacy Board. While on the board, she identified several ways to improve Vandal Call Center and Annual Giving communications. Her efforts resulted in a change to UI policy and helped pave the way for improved relations between the university and its alumnae.

Keith received a bachelor’s in business, accounting in 1962 and a master’s in business in 1963. He is principal of Northwest Satellite Network. He was a member of the Campaign for Idaho National Campaign Council, former UI Foundation president as well as a past member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He received an Alumni Hall of Fame Award in 2007 and a Silver & Gold Award in 2006.

The President’s Medallion is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the cultural, economic, scientific and/or social advancement of Idaho and its people and have provided exceptional service to the state or nation that has influenced the well-being of humankind.