Deide Family Scholarship Fund

The Deide Family Scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in either the College of Idaho or Northwest Nazarene University, with preference given to a student who is majoring in education, or a student/athlete. Deide family members have long been known for their support of education. The scholarship was endowed by Darrel and LaDonna Deide, after Darrel Deide initiated the school district endowment fund which was later incorporated as the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity (CFEO). Darrel has a longtime relationship with the College of Idaho. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the College, his oldest daughter Lori is a graduate of the College, as is his brother Del. The Deide Family is pleased to be part of the ever-expanding educational opportunities offered to Caldwell District staff and students through CFEO. Darrel received his elementary and secondary education in the Caldwell schools. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1954. He then enrolled at the College of Idaho where he majored in Biology and earned his Bachelor of Science degree. Darrel began his career in Education at Marsing High School where he taught biology, chemistry, physics, and general science. Subsequently he provided 35 years of service to the Caldwell School District where he worked as a science teacher, a high school counselor, a junior high principal, an assistant superintendent and, for 20 years, the Caldwell School District Superintendent. Among the achievements of his tenure as Superintendent were the construction of Sacajawea Elementary School and Caldwell High School (Indiana Avenue location). In addition to his professional duties Darrel was involved with a variety of civic affairs including Chamber of Commerce committees and the Caldwell Kiwanis Club. As a life member of Kiwanis, he served as Club President as well as Lieutenant Governor. Following his retirement from the Caldwell School District in 1995 he was elected to three terms in the Idaho State Senate. There he served in several committee leadership positions. He was especially proud of writing and co-sponsoring Idaho’s first Charter School Law. After leaving the Senate, Darrel served one legislative session as the Governor’s Education Advisor and legislative liaison. Following that short stint with the governor he established the Political Action Committee “Idahoans for Choice in Education” to advance public policy in that regard. LaDonna M. Cowley was majoring in sociology at Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa when she married Darrel in 1963. LaDonna’s family had a long association with NNC, now known as Northwest Nazarene University. Her parents met on the NNU campus and she has siblings and numerous nieces and nephews who attended or graduated from NNU. As well as being a wife and mother of three, LaDonna sang with the Thursday Musicale and was a member of the Caldwell Fine Arts Board. The Deides have three children, Lori, Gina and David, and four grandchildren, Mac, Isabella, Indiana, and Otto.