For Tim and Kathy Christie, North Idaho College became much more than a place to build meaningful careers. It’s where their paths first crossed, where they dedicated decades to helping students succeed, and where a shared belief in the power of education continues to inspire their generosity today.
The Christies' story as a couple began at North Idaho College. Shortly after being hired at the college, Kathy was sent to have her employee photo taken. The photographer was Tim Christie, a young faculty member at NIC.
What began as a brief interaction grew into decades of friendship, professional respect, and a shared commitment to students and education. After the loss of Tim's wife, Mary, Kathy's friendship became a source of support to him. In time, their friendship blossomed into love. NIC gave them meaningful careers, but it also brought them together.
Tim’s 35-year career started with four years as NIC's first Public Relations Director, followed by 31 years teaching communication and photography. His passion for education was shaped by a discouraging encounter with a high school counselor who suggested his dreams were out of reach. Rather than letting those words define him, Tim dedicated his life to helping others recognize their potential and pursue their goals. In his 2006 NIC Commencement address, he spoke about his belief that it only takes one person to make a difference in the world, which he embodied through decades of teaching and mentorship.
Kathy's journey to North Idaho College was similarly shaped by both purpose and service. After earning her degree, Kathy taught in rural West Virginia, where she witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact of education. She later joined NIC as Director of Adult Basic Education and GED Programs and went on to serve in several leadership roles over a 31-year career, including Associate Dean of Instruction and Interim Vice President of Instruction.
What Tim and Kathy valued most was NIC’s commitment to students. Kathy championed innovative programs like Service Learning and Team Teaching, while Tim helped students build communication skills that strengthened both careers and relationships. Together, they believe education has the power to change lives, and they dedicated their careers to making that difference for others.
The impact Tim and Kathy made on students did not end when their careers concluded. Together, they established the Tim and Kathleen Christie Scholarship and the Mary Christie Memorial Scholarship, created in memory of Tim's late wife.
Kathy finds great joy in hearing how scholarships impact students' lives. For Tim, scholarships hold special meaning because receiving one as a college student showed him that someone beyond his family believed in his worth and potential.
Because Tim and Kathy met while working at NIC, their story became inseparable from the college they served for so many years. Their connection is evident in the way they speak about their careers, their friendships, their challenges, and their growth. Together, they helped shape and strengthen a college community that meant so much to them.
Today, Tim continues to pursue another lifelong passion as an accomplished wildlife photographer, traveling to remarkable places to photograph animals and landscapes through his lens. Yet, whether behind a camera or not, their underlying mission remains unchanged: recognizing potential, nurturing growth, and proving that one person (or two!) can truly make a difference.