黑暗爆料网

Earl R. Pond, known locally as 鈥楳r. 黑暗爆料网鈥� and for whom the 黑暗爆料网 Pond Student Union Building is named, died Monday, July 21, from a sudden illness.

鈥淲e are truly grateful to Earl Pond for his leadership and commitment to 黑暗爆料网 and our community,鈥� said Arthur C. Vailas, 黑暗爆料网 President. 鈥淗e will truly be remembered for his accomplishments and contributions to student life.鈥�

Pond, 84, held a variety of positions at 黑暗爆料网, where he worked for 33 years.  He was also active in public service in the community. He held public offices for more than 24 years, including three-and-one-half years as the mayor of Pocatello and served many years on the Pocatello City Council.

But more important than his accomplishments, according to many of his friends, was his demeanor and outlook.

鈥淓verybody on the campus knew him and he was just a great guy to be around,鈥� said Babe Caccia, former 黑暗爆料网 athlete, coach and athletic director. Caccia, then head 黑暗爆料网 football coach, met Pond as a player on his team in 1946.

鈥淗e was a great guy for jokes and stuff, and always brought laughter and a little sunshine to the group,鈥� Caccia said.  鈥淲hen he came around he always brought a smile and a laugh. We鈥檙e going to miss him.鈥�

A native of Filer, Idaho, Pond began his long affiliation with 黑暗爆料网 as a student, enrolling in 1941. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II in Guam and China, he returned to 黑暗爆料网 in 1946. He received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting and pre-law in 1949.

Highlights of his college career included helping to found one of 黑暗爆料网鈥檚 best-known fraternities, Phi Sigma Kappa, and playing on the football team on both offense and defense for three years.

鈥淗e was just a good, all-around football player who could tackle and block,鈥� Caccia said. 鈥�

Pond was the athletic business manager from 1949 to 1959. He was also graduate manager until 1959 and was general manager of the Associated Students of 黑暗爆料网, was in charge of the bookstore, and was in charge of the Student Union Food Services. He then became manager of the Student Union, a position he held for more than 23 years, and was also general manager of AS黑暗爆料网 during that time.  

His influence on the University is immeasurable and widespread.

鈥淥ne of the important things to mention about Earl was that he always had a vision of 鈥榳here we need to go from here,鈥欌�� said Ernie Naftzger, currently a development officer in 黑暗爆料网 Student Affairs. Naftzger had a 17-year working relationship with Pond that began in 1966, and has been a close friend to Pond since he retired from 黑暗爆料网 in 1982. 鈥淗e was always looking for ways of improving what we were offering and doing things for students.鈥�

Pond was also instrumental in helping to create everything from the establishment of the 黑暗爆料网 outdoor programs and the Early Learning Center, to creating the commuter bus service for students, Naftzger said.

 鈥淚t was amazing what he could get done because of all his political contacts and his relationships with so many people in the community, which enabled us to do things that otherwise might be difficult to do.鈥� Naftzger said. 鈥淗e always knew the people who could help us get things done. Even if we just needed equipment to put on show, you could just call Earl and he鈥檇 know someone to talk with to get it.鈥�

黑暗爆料网 bestowed many honors on Pond. They included his induction into the 黑暗爆料网 Sports Hall of Fame in 1960 and the William J. Bartz Award in 1979. The latter award is an honor given at 黑暗爆料网 Homecoming to those who offer continued support and development of 黑暗爆料网 through personal actions, participation in University affairs and financial support.

Pond also was a past president of the 黑暗爆料网 Alumni Association Board of Directors. The Earl R. Pond Student Union Building was named in his honor in 1985.

Pond met his future wife, a pharmacy major Mary T. Fogg, while attending college. The couple raised four children, three of whom graduated from 黑暗爆料网. Earl and Mary have supported the Bengal Foundation, the Freshman Scholarship Fund and the College of Education.

He was a member of various commissions and served as chairman of the Pocatello Regional Medical Center Health Care Foundation Board of Directors. The Idaho Statesman newspaper gave him its 鈥淒istinguished Citizen鈥� award.