Steve Appleton, a legacy in education and our communities

Through the years, Micron’s former Chairman and CEO Steve Appleton contributed to a variety of worthy causes and programs in both time and money. Steve always believed that education was the foundation of strong communities, businesses, and society as a whole. He was always one to put action behind his words.

Steve's philanthropic efforts were both substantial and far-reaching as he gave time and money to worthy causes in the communities Micron serves and beyond. It was under his leadership that the Micron Foundation was established in 1999. Steve served as the Chairman of the Micron Foundation Board from 1999-2006 and remained closely involved through 2012.

Since its inception, the Micron Foundation has donated $55 million to schools and charities all over the world, primarily impacting the communities where Micron employees live and work. Micron’s global communities have benefited from this support and join us in honoring his life and vision.

Micron and the Micron Foundation honor Steve’s legacy in many different ways. We continue to pursue the mission for which he established the Micron Foundation: to build strong communities and promote robust education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Following the passing of Steve, the Appleton family established memorial funds in his honor to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boise State University Foundation. It is fitting that the memorial funds will add to his legacy of giving back and benefit the organizations he enjoyed most.

The Micron Foundation helped launch the funds with initial donations of $25,000 to each organization. Family, friends, colleagues and business partners of Steve continue to donate to both organizations, raising substantial contributions for each.

Additionally, Boise State University pays permanent tribute to Steve at the Micron Business and Economics Building. The courtyard of the building is named Appleton Courtyard in his honor.

We will never forget Steve’s contributions to the company, the semiconductor industry at large, and the great work he began to improve education and our communities.

We miss Steve greatly.

Sincerely,