KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | North Idaho College excited alumna Palin chosen by McCain

North Idaho College excited alumna Palin chosen by McCain

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - North Idaho College alum Sarah Palin was selected Friday as Sen. John McCain's running mate on the Republican ticket for the presidential election.

"North Idaho College is excited to see one of its own alumna achieve such a substantial honor by being selected as the Republican vice presidential candidate," said NIC President Priscilla Bell. "Palin has achieved great success in her life and political career, and we're certainly proud of her accomplishments since getting her start at NIC."

Palin, 44, was elected governor of Alaska in 2006; the youngest and the first woman to serve in the office.

Sarah (Heath) Palin was born Feb. 11, 1964 in Sandpoint, Idaho, but moved to Alaska with her parents Chuck and Sally, a teacher and school secretary respectively, when she was three months old.

After graduating from Wasilla High School in 1982, Palin returned to Idaho and attended North Idaho College for two semesters as a general studies major in the spring of 1983 and the fall of 1983.

She transferred to the University of Idaho, studying journalism and political science and graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1987.

She married Todd Palin, a native Alaskan, in 1988. The two share five children, Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig.

The NIC Alumni Association Board of Directors notified Palin in June that she would be the recipient of the 2008-2009 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. The NIC Alumni Association hopes to present the award to Palin sometime this year.

"The NIC Alumni Association has the pleasure of seeing our alums go on to successful careers in government and private industry throughout the world," said NIC Alumni Coordinator Sara Fladeland. "We've followed Gov. Palin's career as Alaska governor and we were so proud to honor her with this award, long before her selection as the vice presidential candidate. This is another achievement in a long list of accomplishments for Gov. Palin as well as NIC alums."

Although she has not yet accepted, Palin was invited back to campus to serve as the North Idaho College spring 2009 commencement speaker to help celebrate NIC's 75^th anniversary.