My oldest son starts college here in Utah next week, wow do I feel old and soon to be broke (g). It would be so cool to be in his shoes and going through the experience. He just graduated High School and we all wanted him to stay in the mode of education so he did not put it off for later. I am damn proud of him!
Speaking of college….
My family has always been a strong believer in education and my grandfather donated millions to many good causes because he was fortunate not because he wanted his name in lights or a tax break, he did it all for the right and honorable reasons. Land was donated as was a considerable amount money to start a endowment to award scholarships for future students of a Eastern Idaho Technical School “EITC”.
I should have a shirt “My family donated millions, and all we got was this small plaque in a field”
It is always nice and honorable to donate and expect nothing, but there is responsibility to see the scholarship trust funds are managed to grow and be used for (I heard they were used for other capital and now are gone) and at least honor and recognize the critical and vital benefactors. Instead there is a small plaque sitting in a field where my families house that I lived in as a child and barn once stood and nearby my grandfathers horse ranch.
There is a new healthcare building and I have heard they recently refused to name it after the benefactor of their campus, my grandfather Ivan Ashment. Perhaps they are instead looking for new money from a new benefactor to name the building. They named other buildings after people.
My grandfather passed away many years ago and he did not really expect anything in return, but it would have been the right thing for the college to do given his contributions critical to the future of the college instead of the little plaque. My grandfather was a farmer that happened through hard work to become one of the worlds top known and well respected names in the American quarter horse breeding and racing industry as well as the Idaho potato industry like my other grandfather on the Hurley side who was critical to the Idaho potato industry.
I hope what I have heard secondhand about the building name disagreements in the directors office and endowment scholarship trust fund are incorrect, but the only thing that remains is a plaque in a field and no evidence the scholarship trust fund exists today and that’s says volumes to me.
This post is in no way a reflection on all schools, benefactors, or donations.
Donating for education is still the right thing to do.
-Shaan
Nice tribute to your son and grandfather. I work about 3 blocks from that college and pass it almost every day. Now when I do, I will remember. Just as a side note, the streets that borders the college are Hitt Road on the East (right side), 17th Street on the South and Ashment Avenue to the West. Even though there is no building name after your grandfather, at least there is a street.
Rick
Thanks for the comment Rick. The Ashment street was named by the city as my grandfather’s house ranch was there. My old house and barn lies directly under where Hitt road crosses North of 17th. I remember when the trees in the little park where about five feet tall. This area was also out in the country as there was no mall and I could ride motorcycles everywhere and swim in the canal then climb the barn for fun.
There is not even anything I could find in the history or website for EITC and the endowment cash is gone instead of managing it to perpetuate education scholarships for students it went elsewhere.
I just wish they could name a building after him since they did this for other people. Just seems like the right thing to do for someone that was key to EITC existing as there would not be a college there today if it were not for my grandfather.
There is a larger more gracious well kept tribute to my grandfather’s horse “Town Policy” who is buried in the center of the Los Alamitos Racetrack (http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2006/03/weekend_in_the_.html) than EITC provided in that park.
This topic gets me worked up.
Cheers,
Shaan
Very nice tribute to your son and grandfather. I never knew how much your grandfather was a part of that school. In all the times passing by I recognized the street name but as that is the only easily visible link I never really thought beyond it. I also can’t believe your younger brother never told me about it. University place here has named buildings after contributors so it is only right that EITC do the same. I can’t believe you have a son going off to college, congratulations to him. However you have now made me fell old as well.
Dan
Dan,
Thank you for the comment and I too am having a hard time believing I have a son of college age.
It sure has been a longtime since I last seen and spoke with you. Please tell your brothers hello for me.
Best Regards,
Shaan