MOVING HISTORY FORWARD: Transitions: From Christenson to Schuler and NIJC to NIC

On March 12, 1968, Perry Christianson resigned as the junior college’s fourth president effective Sept. 1. His resignation letter to the board of trustees gave no details about his retirement plans. Still, based on statements made before his decision, it is believed he had considered this move for at least a year before he resigned.  

His decision to retire was seen as surprising, considering his relatively young age of 63 and his long tenure of employment. In his letter to the board, he expressed confidence that the college would continue to grow in size and quality under the board and faculty’s guidance. 

After accepting Christianson’s resignation, the trustees coordinated a search for a new college president. On Monday, July 8, 1968, they announced that 34-year-old Barry Schuler had been hired as the college’s fifth president. 

Schuler came to Coeur d’Alene from Minneapolis, where he had been acting president of Metropolitan State Junior College of that city. He brought with him eight years of experience as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Education (1954) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (1965). At the time he was hired, he was completing a Ph.D. program in Social Sciences. 

Like his predecessors, Schuler hit the ground running. He aggressively lobbied the state Legislature for increased funding and updated the college’s plant facilities master plan, asking for and getting state support to meet a list of needs including a performing arts center, additions to the vocational shop building and addition of a communication and fine arts building. The initiative would eventually add the Emery Hedland Vocational Building (1976) and E. Joyce Boswell Hall/Barry Schuler Performing Arts Auditorium (1988) to the campus. 

Perhaps one of the most notable changes to the college that Schuler was part of was its name. The author was not able to find all of the details of what spurred the move to do so, but it is known that during the 1971 Idaho legislative session that Sen. Margaret Manley (D-Coeur d'Alene) submitted Senate Bill 1108 for consideration by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee. The goal of SB-110 was to formally change the name of North Idaho Junior College to North Idaho College effective July 31, 1971. 

In support of the proposal, President Schuler asked three of NIJC’s student leaders to Boise to join him in testifying for the bill’s passage. With him on the trip were Associated Student Body President Chuck Durand, Freshman Class President Jeanne Richmond, and Sophomore Class President Mike Shepperd (yes, he is one of my brothers). Their testimony focused on how the school had progressed beyond that of a community college and was deserving of a name change comparable to that of the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls.  

Following the hearing, the bill was sent to the Senate with a “do pass” recommendation with only three dissenting votes. On Feb. 9, SB-1108 was introduced in the Senate and after the necessary readings, the Senate voted unanimously (26-0) in favor of the law Feb. 18. It was then sent to the House side, where Feb. 26 it was passed by a vote of 55-4.  

Gov. Cecil Andrus would make it official when he signed the measure into law March 8.  

So it was that July 31, 1971, the “junior” was officially dropped from the college’s name, beginning a new era for the school. In a brief ceremony on campus July 30, President Schuler paid tribute to the many dedicated trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and students who had helped build the impressive reputation for quality education that the school currently enjoyed, promising to continue the proud tradition of academic and vocational excellence that had been achieved.  

Schuler closed by predicting that future enrollment would be larger, the curriculum broader and the campus more impressive, but that the progress could never overshadow the important foundations that had been laid when the school was known as North Idaho Junior College. Those foundations ensured North Idaho College would continue producing educational opportunities for students for decades to come. Despite recent turmoil, the college has certainly met his predictions over the 54 years that have intervened.

    Surrounding a drawing of Idaho’s State Capitol Dome are photos of the four representatives of North Idaho Junior College who testified before the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee in support of Senate Bill 1108, changing the school name to North Idaho College. Clockwise are Jeanne Richmond, Mike Shepperd, President Barry Schuler, and Charles “Chuck” Durand. Following the hearing, the joint committee voted to send the bill on to the Senate.