Boise State University president Marlene Tromp addressed hundreds at the Velma V. Morrison Center for the annual state of the university speech Wednesday morning.

Tromp touted many accomplishments coming from Idaho’s largest university, including a record $91 million for research — part of which was a $16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to incorporate local foods into school lunches statewide. Boise State has also received twelve $1 million research grants this year, doubled from last year, according to Tromp.

“It’s incredible,” she said. “That kind of interdisciplinary research that’s literally changing people’s lives is the type of work we’re doing at Boise State.”

Like other Idaho universities, Boise State’s enrollment is up this year. Tromp applauded efforts to increase the number of first generation students, Pell Grant recipients, Hispanic and Latino learners and students from rural and remote regions of Idaho on Boise State’s campus.

Boise State to launch campaign in October

The president also announced the university’s plan to launch a fundraising campaign in October — the largest in Boise State history, Tromp said.

The campaign will go to support student access to and success in higher education, faculty innovation and a whole-student approach to athletics.

The campaign follows what Tromp said has been a record-breaking year for philanthropy at Boise State. The university received an $8 million gift for endowed scholarships (with a promise from the university foundation to match up to $2.5 million for endowed scholarships) and $2 million for endowed faculty positions.