ISU presents Frank VanderSloot with honorary doctorate degree
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POCATELLO — The Founder and Chief Executive Chairman of Melaleuca was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Idaho State University on Saturday.
Frank VanderSloot was awarded the degree during the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies held at the ICCU Dome on the Pocatello campus. He was recognized for four decades of business leadership, company growth, philanthropy and impact.
“Frank VanderSloot’s entrepreneurial vision, commitment to philanthropy, and longstanding investment in the people and communities of Idaho have made a lasting impact across our state and beyond,” said President Robert Wagner. “We were proud to recognize his achievements and service with this honorary degree, and we were honored to welcome him, his wife Belinda, and his family as part of Idaho State University’s commencement celebration.”
Before commencement, VanderSloot addressed a group of ISU students, faculty, administrators and fellow award recipients at a luncheon. His remarks shared a personal look at the principles that have shaped his life, including hard work, gratitude and the importance of helping others succeed.
VanderSloot launched Melaleuca in 1985 and has overseen its growth into a global business that now generates more than $2 billion a year. Melaleuca serves millions of households and employs more than 4,500 people in 19 countries. Under Vandersloot’s leadership, the company has created more than 400 wellness, nutrition, personal care, and home-cleaning products.
The mission of Melaleuca is to enhance lives by helping people reach their goals.
“It can’t be about the money. It has to be about improving lives,” VanderSloot said in an ISU news release. “We built a model where the best producer wins. The hardest worker wins. And no one loses.”
Over the years, VanderSloot has earned major national recognition. He’s been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, CNN, and USA Today, and he received the prestigious Horatio Alger Award.
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Vandersloot has served on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors for more than 30 years and currently sits on its executive committee.
Dr. Linda Clark, a former Idaho State Board of Education president, also received an honorary doctorate degree during commencement. She served on the State Board for 10 years, including four as president, and spent more than 40 years working in education in western Idaho.