The Gift Will Support the Renovation of a New Professional
                         Technical Center

NAMPA, Idaho, Jan. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, College of
Western Idaho was presented a $2.5 million gift from the Micron
Foundation that will support the funding needed to complete the
renovation of a $16.9 million new Professional Technical Education
Center in Nampa, Idaho. In recognition of the generous donation, the
College announced that the new Center will bear the Micron name.

"We're very proud to invest in CWI and this new technical center,"
noted Dee Mooney, Micron Foundation Executive Director. "The Micron
Foundation is committed to advancing technical education and supporting
the communities where our employees live and work. This gift supports
both missions as we work together with the College of Western Idaho to
build on its reputation of excellence and attract a new generation of
professionals to the Treasure Valley."

The former Sam's Club building initially purchased by the J.A. and
Kathryn Albertson Foundation and later gifted to College of Western
Idaho Foundation has been under remodeling efforts since May 2011. The
impressive transformation is creating a functional, centralized
learning facility that effectively supports nine Professional Technical
Education programs that have a reputation for excellence and are
successful in placing applicants in viable careers. Recent reports
indicate that more than 90 percent of the College's Professional
Technical students who complete the course are employed in their field.

In addition to the technical programs, the new Center will host a
variety of student support services. The Center will have far more
academic opportunities available to students as well as opportunities
for a high level of interaction with each other and with faculty
members. Dr. Bert Glandon, CWI's president, said the gift will impact
every student on campus and provide local businesses a much needed
technical training facility resource.

College of Western Idaho's growth amidst the economic downturn has
presented several challenges in its ability to facilitate increased
demand and maintain state-of-the-industry programs. Despite the rough
economic climate and budget cuts, CWI has managed to accommodate the
Treasure Valley community through the support of good financial
stewards. The Albertson Foundation has enhanced their initial
investment by allowing the school to offer naming opportunities to
other supporters who contribute to the new Center. Both College of
Western Idaho and Albertson Foundation are extremely pleased to see the
Micron Foundation contribute in such a generous manner.

For more information on CWI's Professional Technical Education Center
and additional naming opportunities please contact the CWI Foundation
at 208.562.3100.

The College of Western Idaho is a public, open-access, and
comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable
access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents
of its service area in western Idaho. CWI has seven campus locations
throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century
technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the
community's economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and
productive graduates. The foundation for the area's only community
college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon
counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit
www.cwidaho.cc or call (208) 562-3000.

The College of Western Idaho logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11469


CONTACT:  Jennifer Couch
          (208) 562-3508
          jennifercouch@cwidaho.cc