The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is paying tribute to one of its founding fathers. Former Trustee S. Hatch Barrett passed away on May 7, 2016. Instead of mourning his passing, it was his request that his life and legacy at CWI be celebrated. In his honor, the CWI Foundation and the Barrett Family have established a scholarship fund for students in the College’s Professional Truck Driving and Heavy-Duty Truck Technician programs.
The Barrett Family has a long history in Treasure Valley’s trucking industry. Hatch loved the people who make up this great industry. Education and continuous learning were always important to him. He told his family one of the proudest accomplishments in his life was being part of CWI’s creation as a Trustee.
“As a founding member of CWI, it pleased him greatly that CWI took control and has grown the vocational technology school established by Boise State University,” Ed Barrett, his son and current CWI Foundation board member, said. “He told me time and time again that ‘Idaho deserves a great community college and professional-technical programs, and CWI is fulfilling that dream.’”
Much of CWI’s success is due in large part to Hatch’s leadership and support. In his obituary, people were asked to make memorial gifts to the scholarship fund in lieu of flowers. The response was heartwarming. In lieu of a memorial service, the Barrett Family contributed $10,000 to start an endowment for the scholarship to keep Hatch’s legacy alive for generations to come. They are inviting the public to join them in their efforts to grow the fund even more.
To make a contribution to the scholarship fund, donations can be made online: cwi.edu/giving/foundation, or mailed to CWI Foundation, MS 1000 PO Box 3010, Nampa, ID, 83653 (in honor of Hatch Barrett).
