Green & Gold Magazine - Spring 2021 Edition by Rocky Mountain College

SPRING 2021

T H E M AG AZIN E O F R O C KY MOUNTAI N COLLEGE

JERRY WOLF: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF SKIING SUCCESS

JIM BAKEN’S ROCKY RETROSPECTIVE

CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Clark Lynnette Fisher Lea Hackey Sue Lawrence Sydney Weaver

DESIGN & PRINTING Ultra Graphics

RMC EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PRESIDENT: Robert Wilmouth, M.D. PROVOST: Anthony R. Piltz ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT:

Erin M. Reser

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE: Brad Nason VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT:

Tyler Wiltgen

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER:

Melodie Milroy DEAN OF ENROLLMENT:

Austin Mapston CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER:

Marcella Buster CONTACT US OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT

Jill Hirschi Director of Annual Giving Phone: 406-657-1009 Email: jill.hirschi@rocky.edu www.rocky.edu/alumni www.rocky.edu/giving 406-657-1006 ON THE COVER: For twenty years, Jerry Wolf has impacted the lives of hundreds of skiers through his coaching at Rocky Mountain College.

A NOTE from the PRESIDENT I have great pride and gratitude for our students, faculty and staff for their efforts in helping us navigate a challenging time over the past year. We have stayed true to our identity and core mission, relying on the values we seek to instill in our students everyday: critical thinking, acting with empathy and making good decisions. During our 139th commencement ceremony on April 17, we congratulated the class of 2021 on their accomplishments at Rocky Mountain College. While the ceremony was modified to prioritize the safety of our students, the tradition of commencement brought a palpable excitement and celebration of achievement. This event reflected the past year in so many ways – out of challenging experiences come great successes. Our student athletes were resilient in their approach to the year. Because of cancelled fall and winter seasons, our athletic department successfully held basketball, volleyball, alpine skiing, football, track and field, soccer, golf, and cross country seasons simultaneously this spring. Our cross country, track and field, soccer, and volleyball teams all participated in national competitions. Students have risen to the challenges presented by the pandemic. One example is graduating senior Darius Henderson, who launched the podcast “Turn up the Volume and Silence the Shame,” to facilitate important conversations amongst our campus community about mental health. Alumni and friends of the College continue to invest in our students and campus. Our second annual Giving Day, held on March 30, raised $233,000 for scholarships, programs, and projects across campus. These funds ensure our students have the resources they need to be successful. If you happen to drive by RMC, you will notice that we have begun a renovation of the Poly Drive entrance to campus. This beautiful addition was made possible by a generous donor and is detailed in these pages. Your support of our mission continues to remind us that we are part of a larger community that shares a common pursuit of improving every day. With gratitude,

features

IM BAKEN’S ROCKY 3 JRETROSPECTIVE

WENTY YEARS OF 21 TSKIING SUCCESS

11 LANG FAMILY

OR SCHAFER 27 FPALADICHUK, IT’S A

After 30 years in the art department, Professor Jim Baken presented his last gallery as a faculty member this spring.

LEGACY

Robert Wilmouth, M.D. Rocky Mountain College President

Alumni Lindsey and Brian Lang created a scholarship endowment to provide the gift of a Rocky education for generations of students to come.

Coach Jerry Wolf’s success and impact on others has been monumental over the last twenty years at RMC.

FAMILY AFFAIR

Graduating senior’s connection with his family motivates him as he pursues his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

other articles

7 CAMPUS NEWS 15 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

LACK TIE 18 BBLUE JEANS THLETICS 21 ANEWS

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Photos courtesy Jim Baken

Photos courtesy Eryn Ducote

Jim Baken’s art including “Mona Lisa Smoking,” “Lightening Elk,” and “Beuys & Friends.”

Jim Baken’s

ROCK Y R ETROSPECTI V E

rofessor Jim Baken’s Rocky career began more than thirty years ago, returning him to the shadows of the Beartooth Mountains, where he was raised. Jim’s career in art began while studying in Bozeman following four years in the Navy. With his GI Bill in hand, Jim felt the freedom to explore his interests in college, and quickly found his place in the art classes he took. Graduating with a degree in art education, Jim taught art for four years before applying to graduate school to pursue his Masters in Fine Arts. He found that he desired a position where art was more highly respected, and pursued a career as an art professor.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Jim completed his MFA in New Orleans, moving to Seattle after graduation to pursue jobs in higher education. In 1989, the Billings Gazette advertised a job posting for an art professor at Rocky Mountain College, and he happily flew to Billings to interview, and ultimately accepted the position. He and his wife Christie settled in Billings in 1990, and raised three children, Rebecca, Joseph, and Jamison in their home state. When Professor Baken arrived at Rocky Mountain College, the campus was much different than it is today. There was no art gallery to speak of, so Jim and the art students

would run electricity to an empty Prescott Hall to present their artwork. The art department had just one other faculty member, Professor Mark Moak, which allowed Professor Baken to teach every aspect of the art curriculum including both practical and theoretical courses. Among Professor Baken’s favorite classes was African Art History, from which he found a strong correlation with the indigenous art he grew up with in Montana. The 1990s was a period of renaissance for Rocky Mountain College, with a series of campus renovations funded by generous donations to the College and an increase of students on campus. This support allowed the art department to create a formal gallery, increase its faculty size and expand its offerings. One key addition to the art department was the inclusion of a study abroad program hosted in Italy and taught by a rotation of art professors from Rocky. This program merged two of Professor Baken’s passions: art and travel. “Travel changes the lives of students, and the combination of travel and art opens the world

Jim and his wife, Christie.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Jim studying abroad

to students who may never experience a different point of view,” Baken said. Beyond Italy, Professor Baken traveled to Germany and Salzburg, Austria with students and taught at a partner college in Brazil. Though Rocky has evolved in many ways since Professor Baken began his tenure, one thing has not changed; he is inspired every day by his students. Professor Baken’s favorite part of teaching is guiding students to creative solutions for their art. He wakes up in the middle of the night with ideas he can’t wait to share with students and rises every morning feeling inspired. In the same way, Professor Baken has impacted the hundreds of young artists he’s taught. “Jim is one of the most encouraging and creative people I know. Although our art styles are quite different, he opened my eyes to various kinds of art that were fascinating to me,” remembers former student Carrie Cota. “Jim not only was a great professor, but he truly cared about each of his students’ lives as well. He would always ask how our activities outside of class went and would make sure classmates got to know and help each other.” Professor Baken’s final gallery as an art professor at Rocky Mountain College is a retrospective of his time and work here and is a tribute to his “open aesthetic” (accepting any and all mediums). The collection

“ Elyssa Linenger with faculty members of the art department including Jim Baken

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

“I would not be where I am in life without Professor Baken. I was a junior at Rocky majoring in biology and pursuing a career in the medical field when, through Rocky’s Art Department, I studied abroad in Italy. I met Jim when he came to Italy to teach the painting class, and through his kindness, guidance, and encouragement, I fell in love with art. He encouraged me to paint, create, and to major in art, and he was the first to reveal to my parents that I was an artist. When I returned to the United States, I added art classes to my schedule and began pursuing an art degree. Throughout my final two years at Rocky, Jim continued to mentor me. He fostered my abilities, provided me with guidance and knowledge, and inspired me to strive for success. While I never planned to pursue an art career, Jim never allowed me to stop being an

includes portions of Baken’s Lookout Series, works of art created at or about the U.S. Forest Service Lookout his family has staffed for 22 years in the Bitterroot mountains. The lookout lacks plumbing and electricity, which allowed a creative atmosphere without distractions for Jim and his family. During his summers at the lookout, he began creating mountain lion defense sticks, which eventually turned into abstract weapons which resulted in his Art Clubs series. The gallery also includes a study of hands in his Smoking Series. Professor Baken has imagined famous art pieces and art masters as if they were smoking, and serves as a tribute to the masters themselves. Another muse, the female elk, inspires his Elk Series, which reflects on chaos and order, masculine and feminine, the golden ratio, and utilitarian hunting. A duo from this collection takes a prominent position at the entry of his gallery, and the series continues within. As this chapter of Professor Baken’s life comes to a close, he looks forward to the joy of “doing nothing” during his retirement, taking in the world as if he were “a newborn baby”. He will supplement his time with road trips to small towns and golf courses across Montana, finding the best chicken fried steak in every location he visits. And of course, Professor Baken will continue his life-long love affair with art.

Jim with his daughter, Rebecca.

artist. He pushed me to create and to succeed, and he saw in me what I wasn’t able to see in myself. He knew that I was meant to be an artist. Upon graduation, I had countless opportunities as an artist thanks to Jim’s guidance. Now, four years after graduating, I am a full-time professional Western and wildlife artist and I could not be happier. Jim continues to influence my life and remains one of my biggest mentors. He helped me discover my passion, follow my heart, and learn to use art as my voice. I will forever be incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to have Jim as my professor and life mentor. His passion for art and his kindness greatly impacted me, and without him, I would be a lost soul, feeling empty without my passion and my purpose.”

“If you close your eyes and imagine a collegiate art professor you are probably thinking of Professor Jim Baken. He has such an excitement for art that is only matched by his excitement for his students. He welcomes anyone into the world of art in a way that one can’t help but be enthusiastic about creating things. Jim cares deeply about his students. His office, as eclectic as the man, always had an open door where this eager professor sat and chatted with us about life, not just art, because he cared about us as people. He didn’t see us as just students or artists, but real people with hopes, dreams, successes, and failures. Rocky will not be the same without him there, although I don’t imagine he will ever be too far.”

— ELYSSA LEININGER

— EDWARD TANZOSH

Alumna, Class of 2017

Alumnus, Class of 2019

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Poly Drive Entry Renovation Beginning this summer, the main campus entryway on Poly Drive will be undergoing a major transformation to create a more welcoming entrance while further defining Rocky Mountain College’s presence in the heart of Billings. In the first phase of a three-phase renovation, the Poly-facing side of campus will be updated with new signage and the extension of wrought iron fencing along Poly Drive and surrounding Wendy’s Soccer Field. The second phase of the project includes transforming the Poly Drive entryways into a one-directional circle drive and updating the walkability of the entry area. The final phase will be moving the Widenhouse parking lot to maximize the green space on campus. “From my perspective, and the perspective of our facilities and grounds team, President Wilmouth has charged us to make certain that the campus reflects the quality of the education that we’re providing to our students,” said Executive Vice President and Dean for Student Life Brad Nason. This renovation, made possible by an anonymous donor, will change the landscape and enhance the beauty of the campus as well as the student experience for Rocky students for years to come.

RMC’s 2nd Annual Giving Day On March 30, 1878, the Collegiate Institute Fund convened to create the Montana Collegiate Institute, which would eventually become Rocky Mountain College. This year, on the 143rd anniversary of RMC’s founding, Rocky supporters from across the country joined forces to celebrate our 2nd annual Giving Day. Alumni, parents, and friends of the College donated more than $233,000 on March 30, 2021. These donors came from 36 states and supported 30 different projects, teams, and departments across campus. Overwhelmingly, we saw support for the Scholarship Fund, which provides the financial assistance that students rely on to achieve their goals. Other groups across campus saw tremendous support, including the Rocky Cheer squad, who raised more than $5,600 to fund a new Rocky the Bear mascot. From the students, staff, and faculty at Rocky, thank you from a grateful college.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Misty Kuhl: Montana’s New Director of Indian Affairs Rocky Mountain College’s Director of Native American Outreach (NAO), Misty Kuhl, was selected by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte to lead the state’s Department of Indian Affairs. For the past three years, Kuhl has served the RMC Community and its Native student population by developing Native programming with a focus on recruitment and retention. Senior, Jacie Hogan, is grateful for the NAO program that Kuhl led, which made his transition from Little Bighorn College easier than he had expected. “I struggled to leave the reservation,” he said, and “was afraid of culture shock in an environment I was not comfortable with. I’m glad I took the chance.” Hogan is majoring in

physical education so he can promote health and exercise to children on the Crow Indian Reservation in southeast Montana where he grew up. “I truly believe my Native American people need me in that area and feel I can make a positive impact. On the reservation we need more Native American teachers and positive male role models.” “While we are sad to see Misty leave Rocky, we are excited to share her knowledge and passion with the state of Montana,” said RMC President, Bob Wilmouth. “We are committed to continuing her work and building upon the foundation she has laid by creating more opportunities for Native students to experience the high-quality, private education we are proud of at Rocky.”

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

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“I feel honored and have been blessed to have had these opportunities to manifest my vision to spread and promote a productive lens for achieving quality of life, personal well-being, and maintaining optimal mental health.” — DARIUS HENDERSON

HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, California

“Turn Up the Volume and Silence the Shame” Senior Darius Henderson has a passion and calling to help people better understand mental health issues. A basketball player from South Los Angeles, Darius’ dedication to the sport led him to Rocky to continue his basketball career and further his dreams of higher education. While he never imagined he’d leave urban Los Angeles for Montana, he found Rocky Mountain College is a college with professors who care about him and a team and classmates that will be friends for life. Inspired by the environment he grew up in and the lack of mental health awareness in his community, Darius made the decision to major in psychology at Rocky Mountain College. He has a strong passion for mental health awareness and empowering people to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. This focus on mental health led Darius to start his own podcast focusing on the mental health of students, covering topics impacting students, faculty, and staff across campus, especially with the backdrop of the pandemic. Darius’ podcast “Turn up the Volume and Silence the Shame” explores the vast ways in which mental health impacts the Rocky Mountain College community in both positive and negative ways. His inaugural episode was with President Bob Wilmouth,

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

where they discussed understanding and managing anxiety. “Turn up the Volume and Silence the Shame” now features episodes that include topics on homesickness, roommates during Covid-19, mental health for student athletes, career pressure in the aviation field, grief, psychology and spirituality, and more. These podcasts have also been made available for students on the online learning platform Moodle, with accompanying presentations that Darius created. Darius graduated this spring, and has plans to continue the podcast and attend graduate school to obtain a PhD in psychology. Episodes of “Turn up the Volume and Silence the Shame” can be found on the Rocky Mountain College YouTube channel. Ep 1: Anxiety ft. President Bob Wilmouth Ep 2: Homesickness Ep 3: Roommates & Covid-19 Ep 4: Student Athletes & Mental Health ft QB Nathan Dick Ep 5: Grief Ep 6: Emotional Intelligence Ep 7: Aviation Career Pressure Ep 8: P sychology and Spirituality ft. Reverend Kim Woeste

MAJORS: Psychology ACTIVITIES: Battlin’ Bears Basketball Guard; Creator of “Turn up the Volume and Silence the Shame” podcast.

H A R D D HUMBLE

AWARE

RESILIENT

DIFFERENT

DOPE

DARIUS’S PERSONAL AFFIRMATION “I believe we are all hard in our own ways. HARDD is a way of promising myself no matter what experience or what thoughts I may be feeling, ‘I’ am not those thoughts and ‘I’ am not a negative experience. Instead, I am HARDD (Humble, Aware, Resilient, Different, Dope)!”

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Lang Family

LegAcY

indsey and Brian Lang’s first introduction was a chance meeting during a recruiting trip. Brian, remembering the moment “vividly,” was considering coming to Rocky on a football scholarship. Lindsey was a freshman who made her way to Billings from a small town in Minnesota to join the Rocky ski team, and was introduced to Brian by mutual friends. Though Brian went elsewhere his freshman year, he returned to Rocky his sophomore year with a desire for a smaller college community and an opportunity to continue his football career. Soon after transferring, he and Lindsey reconnected. The Langs loved every element of their Rocky experience, calling it the “quintessential college experience.” They enjoyed knowing nearly everyone on campus, running into friends on the way to class, the personal connection with professors and their experience as athletes. Their time at Rocky was especially transformative as they entered their junior and senior years and enrolled in Professor Jim Anderson’s investment class. Professor Anderson, a 1967 Rocky graduate, had retired from his career in the investment industry and was recruited by President DeRosier to teach a class at RMC. Through his class, Professor Anderson instilled a strong understanding of investment principles in the Langs and quickly became a mentor to both of them. Professor Anderson helped Lindsey and Brian secure their first internships in

“ ”

There is nothing greater than giving someone the gift of education. If you can educate yourself, you can get to the next point in life and the sky’s the limit. — LINDSEY LANG

Alumna, Class of 2000, Economics, Business Management Major

Photos courtesy Lindsey and Brian Lang

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Minnesota which they both credit for long-term success in their careers. Implementing the foundations Professor Anderson imparted in them, the Langs made a point to save, invest, and diversify their portfolios. “The class opened my eyes to the world of investing and the importance of saving for your future. Lindsey and I are here today because of that — saving and investing have given us the blessing of flexibility,” said Brian. Brian has been able to step away from his corporate career and is now managing a franchise partnership and real estate investments. Lindsey has continued her career with the Kopp Family in Minnesota, starting with Kopp Investment Advisors and now managing the Kopp Family Office. As a family, they have prioritized time with their children and instilled a family principle of giving back. “It’s been fun to get our children involved in giving. We’ve sponsored families at Christmas and through the coronavirus pandemic there have been so many opportunities to help those in need.” Lindsey’s hope is to create a family culture of giving that will inspire her children to do the same when they are older. Philanthropy is especially important to Lindsey as she helps distribute grants from the Kopp Family Foundation. LeRoy Kopp, her boss of 21 years, passed away in October of 2020. Inspired by his and his wife Barbara’s generosity, Lindsey and Brian decided to start their family legacy by endowing a scholarship at Rocky. “There is nothing greater than giving someone the gift of education. If you can educate yourself, you can get to the next point in life and the sky’s the limit. Education is paramount,” said Lindsey. She shared that Barbara Kopp always reminds her that “there is something to be said about someone giving you a scholarship that makes you feel connected to the school and feel good about yourself. They are giving this money because they want you to be successful. The hope is that the student takes the scholarship, graduates,

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

and turns around and sees they can make an impact on future students too.” The endowment is also a tribute to Jim Anderson’s commitment to the students at Rocky Mountain College. Upon being hired at Rocky, Professor Anderson made a gift to establish an investment fund. This fund was managed and invested by students in Professor Anderson’s class and the returns (often outperforming the market to a tune of 7 to 1) were distributed in the form of scholarships. “Jim didn’t need to give that money to Rocky and watch his students invest it. Now it’s such an amazing endowment for the school that is used for scholarships,” said Brian. Professor Anderson’s response to hearing about the scholarship was emotional and quite the surprise. He recalls instilling in his students that “a part of all I earn is mine to keep,” meaning that they should prioritize saving and investing, instead of spending. Lindsey and Brian Lang have certainly put this idea into practice and their careers speak to the influence Professor Anderson had on them both. The Langs are excited to see the impact of the Brian and Lindsey Lang Scholarship Endowment which will provide scholarships to business students, student athletes, and students from Brian’s hometown of Sidney, MT and Lindsey’s home state of Minnesota. “There is literally nothing like the feeling of giving back. You work every day, you save, and if you have the opportunity to give back, it makes everything worth it,” Lindsey said. Vice President for Advancement, Tyler Wiltgen, worked with the Lang family to make this endowment a reality for our students. “This is a fantastic story. It’s what you hope for when you see students walking across our campus,” he said, “that students make connections and pick up something that impacts their life in a special way. Rocky Mountain College and Professor Anderson have impacted Lindsey & Brian’s life in multiple ways, and now they will impact generations of students through their generosity.”

Lindsey and Brian married after their time together at RMC.

ABOVE: Lindsey and Brian both graduated from RMC and they attribute their professional success to their mentor, Professor Jim Anderson, (also shown above.)

RIGHT: Brian Lang was a member of the Battlin’ Bears football team. Lindsey Lang was a member of the Battlin’ Bears ski team as well as the first Rocky women’s soccer team.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

CASSIDY SHAVER

Student

SPOTLIGHTS

NICHOLAS McBRIDE HOMETOWN: Thorndale, Pennsylvania

HOMETOWN: Billings, Montana

MAJOR: Aeronautical Science

MAJORS: Psychology Small Business Management

MINORS: Aircraft Dispatch Organizational Leadership

Nicholas McBride is an aeronautical science major with minors in aircraft dispatch and organizational leadership. He also volunteers with Rocky’s community engagement programs—serving lunches at homeless shelters, leading freshmen student ServiceSaturday volunteer events, and as a LEAP (Leadership, Engagement and Achievement Program) member. “As a LEAP peer mentor, I can have a direct impact on multiple freshmen’s academics, see them grow, and challenge them to their potential,” McBride said. He was one of a dozen college students nominated for the 2020 Montana Student

MINOR: Accounting

Volunteer Award, lauded by former Montana governor, Steve Bullock. “These young Montanans embody the spirit of service that is at the core of our values as a state,” said Bullock. “We need folks like these students who get out there and work to effect positive change in their communities.” McBride received a certificate signed by former Governor Bullock and RMC’s president, Bob Wilmouth. Rocky’s Director of Aviation, Dan Hargrove, has also awarded McBride the Spirit of Aviation Award for his passion for aviation and his desire to pass that on to other students. After graduation this spring, McBride plans to return home to Pennsylvania and continue working in the aviation field. Regardless of where his career takes him, his leadership skills and humanitarian drive will no doubt come into play.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

Cassidy Shaver loves motocross sports. It fulfills her need for speed, action, and competition. “This is so much more than just a sport,” Shaver said. “I’ve been racing motocross and competing in hill climbs for 16 years. Motocross is my favorite, but hill climbing— riding up hills to see who gets the fastest time or goes the furthest distance—is becoming more prevalent in my life.” In 2020, she raced in the Women’s Open class for motocross and garnered two wins in the Women’s Pro class on hill climb. Shaver is a graduating senior with double majors in psychology and small business

management, and a minor in accounting. She plans to attend graduate school in pursuit of a PhD in social psychology, with an end goal of teaching psychology to undergraduate students. While awaiting graduate acceptance decisions, she’s training as a CrossFit athlete, performing high intensity workouts which incorporate weightlifting, gymnastics, cardio, and plyometrics. “If I don’t receive any admissions offers, I would like to do something in higher education or find my niche in the business field,” Shaver said. “I plan to keep motocross and hill climbing in my life as much as possible, regardless of what happens. I believe competing has helped my mindset as a small business major,” she continued, “because you have to be willing to take risks in both racing and business.”

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

AVI FOX

HOMETOWN: Pryor, Montana MAJOR: Psychology English: Creative Writing MINOR: Art

“

I’m currently focusing a lot on digital art and exploring different forms of poetry.

—AVI FOX

When Avi Fox’s college experience began as a 16-year-old freshman in 2018, he was Rocky’s youngest full time student. He is dual majoring in psychology and English: creative writing, with a minor in art. Last year, his short story “A Failing Shade of Sacramento,” was RMC’s Creative Writing Contest’s winning fiction entry. It was published in the College’s literary journal, The Rocky Mountain Review: Issue 2. “I plan on being an author and tattoo artist,” Fox said. “Last summer I was working on a steam punky graphic novel, but I’m currently focusing a lot on digital art and exploring different forms of poetry.” Fox was short-listed for the Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation’s 2020 Author of Tomorrow international competition, garnering him inclusion in the London-based foundation’s print anthology, “Robots, Rebels, and the Resistance: Ten more tales of remarkable adventure”. Fox is a full two years younger than most of his fellow classmates of junior standing, but that hasn’t hindered him from already setting literary goals and garnering accomplishments outside the classroom.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

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S C HO L AR S HI P B E NE FI T

The tremendous support during Black Tie Blue Jeans is both humbling and aweinspiring. We are deeply grateful for everyone who helped make this event a success. — BOB WILMOUTH

Rocky Mountain College President

Black Tie Blue Jeans has been raising funds for student scholarships for more than 30 years at Rocky Mountain College. The event has evolved from its humble beginnings – originating as the “Rocky Mountain Roundup,” where donated livestock were gathered in a public auction yard, judged, and sold to support student scholarships. Over time the event evolved into a high-end gala, with women donning ball gowns and men topping their best blue jeans with tuxedo jackets. Due to Covid-19, Black Tie Blue Jeans once again evolved, and made its debut outside the Fortin Gym onto a virtual platform. While elements of the live event remained- including our silent auction and scholarship drive- new elements emerged. President Wilmouth and his wife Liz made their first Facebook Live appearance, alumni-owned Buffalo Block created a signature cocktail recipe for participants, and the online auction allowed Rocky supporters from across the nation to participate. While this year’s event was dramatically different from BTBJ of years past, one thing has not changed: students rely on the funds raised to make their academic goals a reality. One hundred percent of the $315,000 raised directly supports student scholarships, which are even more essential as students and their families face the economic repercussions of Covid-19. Thank you to the donors and auction participants that made this year’s Black Tie Blue Jeans a success!

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

THANK YOU On behalf of the students of Rocky Mountain College, thank you for supporting...

S C HOL A R S H I P B E N E F I T S C H OL A RS H I P BE N E F I T

Your investment in Rocky Mountain College and our students is deeply appreciated and highly valued. We are grateful for your belief in the transformative role that education plays in the lives of our students.

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P R E M IER SPONSOR

STAT E S R E P R E SEN T E D

PA RT I C I PA N TS

$315,000

D O N AT E D TO SCHOLARSHIPS

P R E S COT T HALL

LOSEKAMP HALL Houghton Group Wealth Management Advisors

Greg & Eileen McDonald

“RMC is my family. From attending and earning my bachelors degree, to starting my career, to meeting my husband – I will always have the best memories of my time at Rocky. Black Tie is such an important event for the college. To be able to offer equal opportunity to every student they serve through scholarships is crucial. By supporting and participating in this event, we are building a stronger community by investing in our future through eduction.” — KELSEY DAER

, RMC Class of 2007, Managing Member, Buffalo Block Prime Steakhouse

SPRING2021 2021 GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College ||SPRING

TYLER HALL

“I’m a first generation college student. To go to college is a huge privilege and a great thing for myself and my family. Without money through scholarships, I wouldn’t be able to attend college.” — CHASE CASTRO RMC Class of 2021

Bob Smith Motors Edwards Jet Center A & E Architects Jones Construction, Inc. The Yellowstone Group at Morgan Stanley

Bruco, Inc. PayneWest Insurance Ultra Graphics Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers SCL Health/St. Vincent

A L DEN HALL Ed & Kathy Aders Western Security Bank Cladis Investment Advisory Snowy Mountain Motors Stockman Bank Opportunity Bank Robert & Julia Huebner Moulton Bellingham PC

Sysco Food Services of Montana 360 Office Solutions Ortho Montana Sign Products, Inc. Anderson, Hedge, Wagner & Associates at Merrill Lynch Billings Clinic Altana Federal Credit Union

ATHLETICS

NEWS

C O A C H J E R RY W O L F:

20 YEARS of SKIING SUCCESS Story by Creative Writing Major, SYDNEY WEAVER, Class of 2023 & Member of RMC’s Women’s Alpine Ski Team

Jerry Wolf skiing in his younger days.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

here have been a number of coaches before him but no other ski coach at Rocky has the tenure of Jerry Wolf. Rocky’s ski team was started in 1987 with coach Ernie Meissner. Over the next fourteen years, three other coaches held the position of head coach until Wolf was hired in 2001. For the last twenty years, he has impacted the lives of hundreds of skiers through his coaching.

From the first moment he put on skis at age four, skiing has been a major part of Wolf’s life. His dad was an avid skier and Wolf followed in his footsteps. He grew up in Billings, MT, and started racing at the age of six for the Silver Run Ski Team in Red Lodge, MT. During his senior year of high school, he moved to a ski academy in Aspen, CO where his racing career began, qualifying him for more prominent races. After

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2021

“

Jerry always went the extra mile to help me become a better skier. — ESTEN FALKSETE

Former Student from Oppdal, Norway

graduation, he moved to Mission Ridge, Washington. This move allowed him to compete in NorAms, a tour of competitions organized by the International Ski Federation. After three years of touring, he chose to attend school at Montana State University where he competed as a skier for three more years. While at MSU, Wolf studied business and finance with the intention of starting his own business. During his third year of college, he and his wife Tara decided to move to California so she could attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising while he followed a job opportunity. During their time in Southern California, they added their son Jeremy to the Wolf pack. After several years in California, Jerry and Tara found themselves back in Montana where he became the manager of Marshall Mountain Ski Area located outside of Missoula. It was during this time he and Tara had their second child, Jessica. A year later the family decided to move back to Billings where he finished his degree at Montana State

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2017 National Champion Ski Team

The Batllin’ Bears ski team has consistently competed at the highest level throughout Coach Wolf’s tenure.

University-Billings and started a construction business. During this time Wolf also coached the Silver Run Ski Team. In 2001, he was hired as the head coach for the Rocky Mountain College Alpine Ski team. The impact Coach Wolf has had on Rocky Mountain College and its ski team is monumental. His success at the national level began in 2005, with his first USCSA national title, followed by national titles in 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. With eight national titles, Wolf and the alpine ski team became the winningest team in Rocky Mountain College’s history. As an added bonus, he also had the joy of coaching his daughter as a skier for the Battlin’ Bears and had both his children coach alongside him as his assistant coaches. Over the years, Wolf has coached hundreds of athletes and made an impact on each one. Current sophomore and Montana native Jacob Drake has trained with Coach Wolf from a young age, skiing with Rocky and the “super fast

Euros” in high school. He says Wolf helped him develop his skiing and bring him to where he is today. From training with Rocky in high school to training with the team now, Drake says “[Wolf] has taught me how to have fun doing this sport again.” Drake explained that Wolf is a great coach because of his loyalty to the team stating: “He would go to war for us” and to have a coach that would defend you is truly amazing. Esten Falksete, a skier from Oppdal, Norway had a similar experience. Although Falksete only raced at Rocky for one year, Coach Wolf still made a big impact. Falksete said that “Jerry always went the extra mile to help me become a better skier” and “he was always there for his athletes and his team.” Falksete remembers fondly how Coach Wolf builds a winning team spirit and creates a familial connection between the athletes. His favorite memories at Rocky include Wolf hosting team dinners or letting the team stay at his house in Red Lodge. Emeline Lafarge is a 2019 graduate from Chamonix, France and majored in business administration. When she first came to Rocky, she spoke very little English. She could barely understand Wolf and vice versa. Despite the language barrier, one of Lafarge’s fondest memories about being on the team was the family dynamic and how “he was able to make a team become a family.” Lafarge’s favorite memory is Wolf skiing down in his cowboy hat and fuzzy bathrobe at the end of the race cheering for the new national champions.

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Another athlete from the Netherlands, Susan Beks, graduated from Rocky with a bachelor’s degree in business management, sports management, and exercise science. Beks served as an assistant coach during the 2018/2019 season. Beks, like the other athletes, highlights the family dynamic that the team provided. She says that some of her favorite memories were the “nights at coach’s cabin in Red lodge with the whole team. Tara would cook all day and we would just hang out, play games, and have a good time.” Beks mentioned that the most important thing she learned from Wolf was that you have to work for what you want and “the outcome depends on yourself and the amount of work you put in,” and that goes for the friendships and relationships you make within the team and in college. Recent graduate from Brainerd, Minnesota, Emily Aga also looked back fondly on her time at Rocky. Aga graduated with a degree in exercise science in 2020 and has continued to pass on the love of skiing by teaching at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. Aga said that Wolf showed her that it “doesn’t matter the background, experience, or history” of a person, “if you go at whatever you want in life with all of yourself, you will succeed.” Every athlete Wolf has coached remembers him for something special. Whether it be Wolf sneaking them into the skijoring event in Red Lodge, taking the team to hot springs in Sun Valley, or speeding down

the hill wearing a fuzzy green robe and a grin, after 20 years, Coach Wolf holds a place in every athletes’ heart. Aga put it best when saying “we come from all over the world, and [Wolf] has made many generations of Bears feel like one big family.” Outside of coaching the ski team, Wolf owns a construction business and is deeply committed to his family. He and Tara are raising another ski racer in their home, 15-year-old Hamish Smith Wolf, Wolf’s nephew. With 20 years under his belt, Wolf’s dedication to the Rocky Ski Team remains. Coach Wolf still enjoys packing up the vans and going for the drive to Red Lodge to practice. He loves seeing his students smile and having a good time and doing what they love. While he is proud of his success, Wolf says that “success is always good and helpful, but I think it is more about the experiences.” Congratulations, Jerry Wolf, on your 20 year anniversary with RMC, we can’t wait to see what the next 20 brings!

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F O R S C H A F E R PA L A D I C H U K ,

It’s a

FAMILY AFFAIR

Schafer Paladichuk is a graduating senior majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry, with plans to attend medical school in the fall. If that class load wasn’t enough, he still manages to find time for several jobs—as lead microbiology and biochemistry lab prep assistant, student ambassador, nightshift campus safety supervisor, and hospital laboratory assistant. Even with the extraordinary workload, he manages to achieve academic excellence. Schafer is definitely not an all-work and no-play type of guy. If there is something he loves as much as science and medicine it is sports. Schafer was recruited as a freshman by former head golf coach Aaron Pohle to play golf for Rocky’s men’s team. “My dream was like any other kid, I wanted to play professionally, however, I did not play hockey long enough, and I was too slow for baseball, so I chose golf.” he recalls with a smile. Schafer’s golf swing struggled because of his lack of flexibility so he began seeing a physical therapist. After seeing the therapist for several months he noticed a marked improvement. “My body had never felt better. Feeling the result firsthand opened my eyes to the potential for helping and improving the lives of people who are struggling in the same aspect of life,” Schafer said. This was the beginning of his interest in pursuing a career in the medical field. Schafer’s interest in medicine only increased as he grew older and began to accompany his Grandpa Sam to medical appointments. Grandpa Sam had always been Schafer’s role model growing up, and challenged his grandson to complete medical school so that one day, Schafer could graduate and become his doctor. “The thing I remember most during those visits was how the clinic functioned,” Schafer said. “I always left with an appreciation for how the doctor conducted our visit and a new curiosity for medicine.” During high school, his medical curiosity was further piqued when three of his family members underwent open-heart surgery. Fascinated by the procedure, Schafer watched YouTube videos showing the coronary bypass surgical procedure and regaled his family with all the details.

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LEFT: Three generations of Paladichuks – Schafer with his father, Gary, and Grandpa Sam. ABOVE: 2019 MT State Champion, Landri Paladichuk and big brother, Schafer Paladichuk. Fiercely competitive with one other, but supportive, too.

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MIDDLE: Landri Paladichuk signing

ABOVE: Grinning and golfing—for Schafer Paladichuk they both began early on.

LEFT: Incoming freshman, Landri Paladichuk and graduating senior, Schafer Paladichuk

BELOW: Coached by his dad, Gary Paladichuk, 3-year-old Schafer slices one afield.

“Once I was told their surgeries had gone well, I could not take my eyes off the machines and tubes they were hooked up to. When the doctors came to round, I was so fascinated with their exam that I had to get a front-row seat. It confirmed what I had recently begun to realize: I wanted to be a part of this world.” Sadly, Schafer’s Grandpa Sam passed away in November 2020, due to COVID-19 complications. A bittersweet reminder of the challenge and role Grandpa Sam had played in Schafer’s life came three weeks later, when he received his first offer of acceptance into medical school. Schafer has always had a close relationship not only with his grandfather, but with his entire family. “The activity that puts me in my element would be my daily phone calls to my family,” Schafer said. “Family has always been a big part of my life so the daily phone calls to my mom, dad, sister, niece, and nephew provide the bright spots in my day.” Jenny Rohrback, Schafer’s mom, was a huge

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proponent of Rocky after touring the campus, talking with professors, and meeting former coach, Aaron Pohle.“ Rocky’s smaller size and professor to student ratio is very appealing,” Rohrback said. “For me, it is all about the relationships and personal interest the Rocky Mountain College staff—whether professors, coaches, or administration—take in the success of each student.” Schafer has two older step brothers and a younger sister, Landri, who won the Montana State Golf Championship her sophomore year of high school. Landri was recently recruited to play golf for Rocky and will follow in her big brother’s footsteps beginning fall 2021 under head coach Nathan Bailey. “I chose Rocky because they have a really strong education program as well as a strong women’s golf program,” Landri said. “Their campus is beautiful and my brother has had a really good experience at Rocky. It’s a perfect size and it feels like it is its own little community within Billings.” As his time at Rocky comes to a close, Schafer reflects, “Rocky has been the most influential place I have had the privilege of attending. Not only have I been granted a world-class education that has opened many doors for me to pursue my dream of becoming a physician, but I have also grown immensely as an individual.” Rocky Mountain College also had a parting gift for Schafer, as he was awarded both the 2021 RMC Student Employee of the Year award,

which recognizes exceptional student workers, and the 2021 President’s Cup, which is awarded to a graduating senior and is selected based on their scholarship, leadership, contributions to RMC and to the greater community. For the 2020-21 academic year, Schafer undertook student teaching for the RMC biology department, conducted tours as an RMC Student Ambassador, passed the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) with an astounding score, and played for the RMC Golf Team. All of these accomplishments lead to Schafer’s recognition through these two honors. “Schafer is a hard-working employee, an exceptional student, and a kind person. He is the sort of person who dreams big,” said Professor Rebecca Polich, who nominated him for the Student Employee of the Year award. With his family by his side, Schafer is ready to take the next steps and become the physician he and his Grandpa Sam always dreamed he could become.

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Profile

AYLA GRANPRE HOMETOWN: Laurel, Montana GRADUATION YEAR: 2018 MAJOR: Dual Bachelors in Computer Science and Chemistry (Minors Physics and Mathematics) CURRENT OCCUPATION: Systems Engineer, Maxar Technologies

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE? I chose Rocky because of the people. Everyone, whether they were teachers, administration, or other students, were so friendly when I came for a campus visit - they all wanted to know my name. It was like they believed in me before I was even a full time student. People really worked to encourage me to attend: financial aid, follow up emails, and offered opportunities. I felt as though being a Bear was like joining a family.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM YOUR TIME AS A STUDENT AT ROCKY? Ice Climbing! I remember being a freshman and seeing pictures of students ice climbing in the halls, and I looked for the class to sign up but didn’t see one. I asked the outdoor recreation coordinator how and if it would be available. A few semesters later there was an opportunity to ice climb, and it was truly an amazing experience that I will never forget. WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED WHILE ATTENDING ROCKY? The most important thing I learned at Rocky was to give back. Doing well in school or feeling the rush when we won a sports game was definitely great, but giving back to the community that

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supports you is what really filled me up inside. It could be a soup kitchen, mentoring a younger student, teaching coding to children after school, or cleaning up after an event. Some of my fondest memories were during events where we could give back as a student. I was involved with Americorps Campus Compact which was great at fostering relationships, getting you out of your comfort zone, and learning a lot about yourself, your peers, and the people you served while volunteering. The computer science department partnered with the Boys and Girls Club where we taught kids programming at the Coder Dojo. I also had the pleasure of running SMArt Girls, a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) outreach program for middle school girls. Through all this it was always amazing to see someone’s smile, or a kid’s eyes light up when they got excited about a project. This feeling is the real “Rocky difference.” PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PATH. At Rocky I received two bachelor’s degrees in computer science and chemistry with minors in math and physics, and this opened up many doors for me. I was always interested in space, and by sharing my aspirations with professors and advisors at Rocky, they helped me to find opportunities to explore this passion. While at Rocky,

the opportunity arose to work on a research project called AGAR, standing for Algal Growth and Remediation. Through our research team we developed, built, and watched, in person, as our experiment was launched to the International Space Station (ISS). We later received it back for processing to see how the algae grew in microgravity. I also had three internships in my time at Rocky, exploring different sides of the space industry. The first with the Montana Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) at MSU Bozeman applying hands-on experience with hardware to create a satellite. The second was at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There, I worked with their veggie team to grow fresh food on the ISS for supplemental nutrition for astronaut consumption. With this team I was able to choose two plants that actually have been grown in space on the ISS! My third internship was through the renowned Brooke Owens Fellowship program, where I interned with Maxar’s Radiant Solutions developing machine learning software for data processing on their geospatial analytics team. After graduating, I accepted a full-time position at Maxar and moved to Virginia for a job in software engineering. A year later, I was able to move within my company and currently hold the position of systems engineer for different types of spacecraft. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT? My greatest professional achievement would have to be saying that I am working on spacecraft to help further space exploration and the human race. Whether it is a robotic arm on a Mars rover, photographs from an earth imaging satellite, or developing modules to help sustain humans, it is such a blast and an honor to be working on the things that I am. Currently I have the honor of being on a team contracted by NASA to help build their Gateway module to orbit the moon and sustain humans. I take a great deal of pride in my work, and I never thought I would be in this position so early in my career. I am so thankful and blessed to have this opportunity.

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ALUMNI BUSINESS DIRECTORY

406 MEMORIES NICOLAS CORDERO GALLEGOS (‘18)

COLUMBUS FINANCIAL CONCEPTS CAP CLEGG (‘77)

Photography/ DJ Services 5413 Cobble Stone Billings, MT 59105 406memories@gmail.com 406.696.7131 406memories.com

5500 Frantz Rd., Ste 151 Dublin, Ohio 43017 cap@columbusfinancialconcepts.com 614.791.1599 columbusfinancialconcepts.com

BIG SKY KOMBUCHA STU HOEFLE (‘82) 1540 13th St W Billings MT 59102 bigskykombucha@gmail.com 406.200.7407 evergreendelicafe.com

BLUE SKY RV PARK AND RENTALS DENNIS SNOW AND SANDRA (DEW) SNOW (67-68) 44 Schmidt Lane Glendive, Montana 59330 dsnow@midrivers.com 406.365.3230 blueskyrvparkandstorage.com

BRIGGS DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, INC. JOHN AND CLAUDIA DECKER (‘79) Beverage Distributor 3545 Hesper Road Billings, MT 59102 jdecker@briggsdistributing.com 406.294.2337

THE BURGER DIVE BRAD HALSTEN (‘00) Gourmet Burger Restaurant 114 North 27th St Billings, MT 59101 burgerdive@hotmail.com 406.670.4855 theburgerdive.com

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COTTONWOOD CENTER REBEKAH WILLIAMS (‘02) 1500 Poly Dr. Suite 300 Billings, MT 59102 becky@cottonwoodcomputer. com 406.896.4910 cottonwoodcenter.net

EVERGREEN CAFE STU HOEFLE (‘82) 1540 13th St W Billings MT 59102 evergreendelicafe@gmail.com Phone: (406) 200-7407 evergreendelicafe.com

FROM MESS TO BLESSED SARAH KARY (‘05) Professional Organizer 1945 Lake Hills Dr. Billings, Montana 59105 frommess2blessed@gmail.com 406.855.4067 from-mess-to-blessed.com

GAINAN’S MIDTOWN FLOWERS JAMES GAINAN (‘91)

ROOM 122 ANDREW BROOKS (‘07) DENNIS YOUNG (‘08)

1603 Grand Ave #140 Billings, MT 59102 jim@gainans.com 406.245.6434 gainans.com

14274 SW Allen Blvd, Beaverton, Oregon 97005 andrew@oregontaproom.com 503.372.6070 oregontaproom.com

KEY INSURANCE OF ROUNDUP JESSICA (ELIASSON) SAMUELSON (‘09)

ROSSMAN MASONRY, LLC STEVE ROSSMAN (‘06)

437 Main Street Roundup, MT 59072 jessicasamuelson@midrivers.com 406.323.2055 keyinsuranceroundup.com

KYNEXIONS LYNANN VOGELE (‘92) 3114 Cactus Dr, Billings, Montana 59102 lynann.henderson@kynexions. com 406.671.6573 kynexions.com

NW SEAPLANES KRISTIN (MICHALENKO) CARLSON (‘04) 860 West Perimeter Road Renton, WA 98057 info@nwseaplanes.com 425.277.1590 nwseaplanes.com

2106 Patricia Ln Billings, MT 59102 rossmanmasonry@gmail.com 406.272.9200 rossmanmasonry.com

THE VINT CO. BRIANA BERG (‘13) 212 South Merrill Ave Glendive, MT 59330 thevintboutiquemt@gmail.com 406.377.8468 thevintco.com

YELLOWSTONE STRENGTHS ACADEMY LYNANN (‘92) & DANI HENDERSON (‘10) PO Box 23113 Billings, Montana 59102 students@ yellowstonestrengthsacademy.com 406.671.6573 yellowstonestrengthsacademy.com

FULL COURT ATHLETICS JOSH CHARLES (‘98) P.O. Box 10634 Bozeman, Montana 59719 jcharles@fullcourtathletics.com 406.600.3337 fullcourtathletics.com

UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST 14, 2021 White Coat Ceremony

SEPTEMBER 17-19, 2021 Homecoming Weekend

AUGUST 16-17, 2021 New Student Orientation

OCTOBER 1-3, 2021 Parent’s Weekend

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

*All events subject to local and College Covid-19 restrictions

SUPPORT ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE Visit rocky.edu/donate UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION Visit rocky.edu/alumni

591 1511 Poly Drive Billings, MT 59102