Collegian | Spring 2012

The magazine for members of the MSU Alumni Association | Spring 2012

In this issue: Shakespeare in the Parks Takes a Bow Engineers Without Borders Lauded Montana Ecosmart House Makes Waves

MONTA NA STATE UNIV ERSIT Y

Sophisticated Sportswear for Bobcat Fans

President’s collection

Update your Bobcat wardrobe with new professional wear and accessories from the President’s Collection. Available for men and women, the Collection is perfect for the work day and game day. Shop online or in person at these exclusive President’s Collection retailers.

M o n ta n a S tat e U n i v e r S i t y

www.universalathletic.com

www.msubookstore.org

Help your family. Help your alma mater. Help yourself.

Add the next chapter to your Montana State story and ensure that your loved ones are well cared for.

The Office of Planned Giving at the MSU Alumni Foundation can help you organize and plan for your future, so you can attain your goals for your family and for your school.

Call 800-457-1696 or visit plannedgiving.montana.edu today to request a free wills planning guide or get more information on the benefits of including MSU in your will.

THE MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE MSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION | SPRING 2012 | VOL. 89, N O. 1

F E AT U R E S

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Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Takes a Bow

14

MSU receives national award recognizing student efforts to bring clean water to Kenya

16

Perseverance brings victory to Travis Lulay

19

Alexandra Black: The Volunteer Habit

12 Nursing Student a Gift to Indian Country 13 Kenneth Christensen Taking Reins of National Organization 17 New MSU Commercial Showcases Students 18 Extension Specialist Honored for Visionary Leadership 20 MSU Student Profile: Joey and Stephen Steffens 21 MSU Alumni Profile: Drew Stoecklein 24 One of IBM’s Best and Brightest 25 Inventor Ted Larsen’s Path to Career Prominence

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22

REHAU Montana ecosmart house attracts worldwide attention

D E PAR TM E NT S From the President

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Blue & Gold

3

Association News

28

Class Notes

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FROM THE MSU PRESIDENT MSU ALUMNI FOUNDATION President & CEO Michael Stevenson

Dear friends:

MSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Each season on Montana State’s campus has its own beauty, but perhaps none of the seasons is as inspiring to me as spring.

I am not referring to the slow awakening of our physical landscape, which traditionally doesn’t occur until fairly late in our Northern Rockies climate. Rather, it is the energy that each spring brings to our university that excites me. The work put in during previous months begins to pay off. Students bloom and excel. The campus is abuzz with final projects and sharing of plans for the summer or a career.

This spring is especially pleasant as campus construction projects show varying signs of growth.

If you have visited MSU recently, you will have seen exciting progress on the renovation of Cooley Laboratory. A $15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health is helping us turn the 52-year-old Cooley Laboratory into a state-of-the-art biomedical research facility. The renovation is scheduled to be completed by the end of October.

This spring has also seen a great deal of brainstorming on a new building for the MSU College of Business. The project is being made possible by a gift from Montana State graduate Jake Jabs, owner of American Furniture Warehouse in Denver, who gave $25 million to the college to fund programs and a new building. This spring we will identify a site for the building (you can keep track of this process at: http://www. montana.edu/cob/building). In the meantime, Comma-Q architects of Bozeman, a firm that includes several MSU School of Architecture graduates, and Hennebery Eddy Architects of Portland, will begin designing the building with input from faculty, students and alumni. We hope to begin construction next spring, with final completion and occupancy set for early 2015.

If you are interested in learning more about current happenings on campus, as well as the exciting and tangible results of an MSU education, I invite you to keep updated on the MSU webpage: www.montana.edu.

Thank you for your continued support, and I hope that this spring is a time of growth and beauty for you and your loved ones.

President Jaynee Drange Groseth, ’73, ’91 M

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Chair Mike Ferris, ’68, Columbus, Ga. Vice Chair Cory Pulfrey, ’82, Bozeman, Mont.

Secretary/Treasurer Mark Sherman, ’97, Great Falls, Mont.

Mark Bacigalupo, ’80, St. Paul, Minn.

Alexander (Zander) Blewett, ’67, Great Falls, Mont.

Brian Clark, ’82, Kalispell, Mont.

Richard (Dick) Harte, ’70, Bozeman, Mont.

David L. Jackson, ’62, Helena, Mont.

David Kem, ’67, ’00, Houston, Texas Lois Norby, ’65, Excelsior, Minn.

Bill Perry, ’02, Spokane, Wash.

Susan Raph, ’82, ’01, Shelby, Mont.

Linda M. Reynolds, ’71, Bozeman, Mont.

Kevin R. Seth, ’83, New York, N.Y. Jean B. Sweeney, ’76, St. Paul, Minn.

Mary Beth Walsh, ’86, Twin Bridges, Mont.

Tony J. Waller, ’81, Washington, D.C. Brant Weingartner, ’98, Irving, Texas

Vol. 89, No. 1, Spring 2012 EDI TORIAL BOARD

Jodie DeLay, ’93, Tracy Ellig, ’92, Jaynee Drange Groseth, ’73, ’91 M, Kerry Hanson, ’93, ’08 M, Julie Kipfer, Suzi Taylor, ’99 M, Phillip Luebke, Caroline Zimmerman, ’83 EDI TOR

Caroline Zimmerman, ’83

Sincerely,

C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R

Ron Lambert DESIGN AND PRODUC T ION

MSU Office of Creative Services

Waded Cruzado, President, Montana State University

P H O T O G R A P H Y by Kelly Gorham, ’95, MSU Photography (unless otherwise noted) The Montana State Collegian (ISSN 1044-7717) is published four times a year by the Montana State University Alumni Foundation, Foundation & Alumni Center, 1501 S. 11th Ave., Bozeman, Montana 59717. Periodicals postage paid at Bozeman, Mont., and additional offices.

Web address: http://alumni.montana.edu

On the Cover Shakespeare in the Parks’ 2010 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Yellowstone National Park.

Tour manager Mark Kuntz is shown as Oberon. Photo by Butch and Kay Andrews.

Collegian | 2

Postmaster: Send address changes to Montana State Collegian, 1501 S. 11th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59717 • (406) 994-2401 • E-mail: alumni@ montana.edu

BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S DONOR REL ATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Chair Mike Ferris, ’68, Columbus, Ga. Vice Chair David Kem, ’67, ’00, Houston, Texas Past Chair, MSUF Linda M. Reynolds, ’71, Bozeman, Mont.

James Alderson, ’69, Whitefish, Mont.

Edward Jack Cameron, ’62, Minneapolis, Minn.

Kathy Finney, ’68, Corvallis, Mont.

Larry W. Harmon, ’88, Roseville, Calif.

Sue Leigland, Bozeman, Mont.

Barry Remely, ’60, Bozeman, Mont.

Keith Rupert, ’67, Billings, Mont.

Wendy R. Sire, ’75, Great Falls, Mont.

Carol C. Smith, Hinsdale, Ill. Walt H. Smith, ’85, Medina, Wash.

Lowell W. Springer, ’70, Bozeman, Mont.

D. Michael (Mike) Steuert, Irving, Texas

ALUMNI RELATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Chair Bill Perry, ’02, Spokane, Wash.

Vice Chair Mary Beth Walsh, ’86, Twin Bridges, Mont.

Past Chair, MSUAA Lois Norby ’65, Excelsior, Minn.

Pam Birkeland, ’77, ’00, Helena, Mont.

Bill Breeden, ’65, ’68, Big Sky, Mont.

Lea Moore, ’93, Miles City, Mont.

Chris Pemberton, ’93, Vancouver, Wash.

Susan Raph, ’82, ’01, Shelby, Mont.

Jane Scharff, ’76, ’87, Billings, Mont.

Chantel McCormick Schieffer, ’99, Bozeman, Mont.

Jeff Sipes, ’86, Lake Tapps, Wash.

Steve Skaer, ’00, ’07, Great Falls, Mont.

Toby Stapleton, ’58, ’08, Billings, Mont.

David Yarlott, ’94, ’96, ’99, Crow Agency, Mont.

Student Alumni Association Representatives Ian Jones, Wrentham, Mass.

Carl Nystuen, Lakeside, Mont.

Bobcat Club Representative Rita Elliott, Fort Benton, Mont.

MSU selects Kregg Aytes as new dean of College of Business Kregg Aytes, the interim dean of Idaho State University’s College of Business, has been selected as dean of Montana State University’s College of Business after a national search. Aytes will start July 1.

“We are extremely pleased to have Kregg join us,” said MSU Provost Martha Potvin. “He brings with him a real dedication to giving students the best education possible. He’ll be a great addition to the MSU family.”

Aytes has been a member of the College of Business faculty at Idaho State University since 1993. He completed his doctorate in management information systems at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management that same year.

Kregg Aytes Prior to his doctoral education, he worked as a systems engineer at IBM in Phoenix for five years after receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.

“I’m thrilled to be coming to MSU,” Aytes said. “I met a wonderful group of faculty and students when I visited the campus and am really looking forward to working with them.”

During his time at ISU, Aytes has served as chair of the Computer Information Systems Department, associate dean, and in his current position as interim dean. He has taught a wide variety of courses, including subjects ranging from programming to strategy and small business consulting. He was named one of five master teachers at ISU in 2006. He has also twice received the outstanding service award for the College of Business at ISU. Aytes’ research interests revolve around the management of IT, the use of technology to support group work, and more recently, the use of social media by entrepreneurs. He enjoys interacting with industry, through consulting and service

Spring 2012 | 3

on boards of various economic development organizations.

Over the years, Aytes has visited Bozeman many times, as his daughter attended MSU and she and his son currently live and work in Bozeman.

The dean position came open last spring, when Dan Moshavi left the position to become dean of the School of Business and Leadership at Dominican University of California in San Rafael. Susan Dana, who did not apply for the permanent position, has been serving as interim dean.

With roughly 1,200 students, the MSU College of Business offers undergraduate programs in accounting, finance, management, and marketing as well as minors in accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship and small business management, international business, and the management of information technology. The college also offers a master’s of professional accountancy degree, designed to prepare student for professional careers in the field of accounting.

In 2010, MSU alumnus Jake Jabs gave the college $3 million to establish the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West. Jabs followed up with a $25 million gift in 2011 that will allow the college to construct a new building to house its programs. Ground is expected to be broken in 2013 with completion in 2015.

MSU College of Business graduating seniors have taken the Major Field Test-Business since the summer of 2005, and the mean has consistently been at the 90th percentile of the national norms reported by the Educational Testing Service, the world’s largest, private, nonprofit educational testing and assessment organization. —Tracy Ellig

BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S

MSU’s competitive programmers hit high mark

Discovery Zone MSU faculty continued to produce a steady stream of patentable innovations in FY’11, seting a new record in licenses to companies —200. Nearly 50 percent of all MSU discoveries are licensed to Montana companies.

Rebecca Mahurin, ’76 Ag M, ’82 PhD, directs the MSU Technology Transfer Office, which provides an interface between the university and the private sector in activities such as patents, copyright, trademark and licensing.

For the first time in 22 years, an MSU team broke into the top five at a regional computer programming competition.

Three Montana State University seniors, Saiichi Hashimoto, David Stevens and Nick Wills, computer science majors in the College of Engineering, brought home a fifth-place finish in regional competition of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) after competing at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., last fall.

The team had the top result For the first time in 22 years, an MSU team broke into the top five at a out of 12 teams competing at regional computer programming competition, with College of Engineering the Fort Collins site, one of seniors (L to R) David Stevens, Nick Wills and Saiichi Hashimoto bringing several in a region-wide comhome a fifth-place finish in the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) petition that included western regional finals last fall.

Canada.

“We’ve had some top-10 strategically, to the competition major has been growing in finishes, but never a top-five,” this time,” he said. recent years. professor John Paxton, chair of The degree of difficulty Paxton said students are the computer science departwasn’t something that weighed given a couple of options for ment, said. “It’s really quite too heavily on the team, Wills which track they can take exciting for this group to have said. toward their degree: a profesdone so well.”

“We went into this without sional option that is a more The typical ACM competiputting a whole lot of pressure technically geared and hews tion consists of 10 problems on ourselves,” Stevens added. closer to pure software developdoled out to the three-person “We figured we would do pretty ment; and an interdisciplinary teams. Each team has one well and have fun doing it.” option, which still features computer and five hours to Hashimoto agreed. software development but work out the most efficient “I just think of them as a replaces some of the technical programming solution to the bunch of puzzles you work to electives with a minor in some problems. Scores are awarded solve and, in that way, they’re other discipline and emphasizes based on the number of solureally pretty entertaining,” he a capstone project relating the tions achieved, the time taken added. world of computing to that to solve them and the efficiency Putting their skills on disminor. of the solution. play in a sponsored event gives “I think that is a really The MSU squad solved students an inroad to landing important thing to offer these five of 10 problems, with the internships with the companies days,” Paxton said. “Because region’s top team solving nine. sponsoring the competition, we are moving in a direction Hashimoto said the MSU Paxton said. where many of the jobs require team was aided somewhat by With a job placement rate developing software solutions the experience he had competthat is the highest among any to pressing societal problems ing in the 2010 ACM regionals. undergraduate discipline, in that cross disciplinary bound“That experience last year addition to an average startaries.”—Sepp Janotta really helped us to come up ing salary that ranks second, with a little better approach, Paxton said enrollment in the

Collegian | 4

BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S

MSU chamber teaches engineering students how to design for comfort “Welcome to the Deep South,” said Craig Rohwer of Fairbanks, Alaska.

“This is what South Carolina felt like last summer,” said Tanner Miller of Townsend, Mont.

Rohwer, Miller and Matt Oliver, of Missoula, Mont.—all MSU seniors in mechanical engineering technology—ran their shoes across the floor and felt the walls of MSU’s psychrometric chamber to see if the surfaces were sticky yet.

If they were, it would indicate that the air was saturated with moisture and life was growing

Department of Mechanical and “An easy way to think of Industrial Engineering. this is to imagine wearing a The exercise is also meant wet swimsuit traveling across a to familiarize students with lake (pretty cold even if it is 90 the psychrometric chart, a tool degrees outside),” Amende said. used by anyone who goes into “If the swimsuit is dry, you don’t the heating, ventilation and air feel nearly as cold.” conditioning (HVAC) industry, Oliver pointed an infrared Amende added. thermometer at the chamber’s Engineers who design a floor, walls, ceiling, door and heating system, for example, window. He then passed along record temperatures, humidity all the readings via walkieand air flow in a room, then talkie to fellow student Tadhg mark those points on the O’Rourke, who sat outside the psychrometric chart. If the chamber with doctoral student intersection of those points falls Chantz Denowh and adjunct inside the designated “comfort instructor Adam Weisenstein. zone,” the room’s Weisenstein used a comoccupants are happy. puter to monitor and change If it lies outside the conditions inside the chamber. comfort zone, the He added steam at times. Other engineers need to times, he added heat. O’Rourke make some adjust—a senior in mechanical ments. engineering technology from On this parSwarthmore, Penn.—recorded Oliver’s report every three ticular day, Rohwer minutes. and Tanner twirled Amende said the psychrosling psychrometers metric chamber and the HVAC to take the wet Lab that houses it lead to some bulb and dry bulb “pretty cool job opportunities” readings inside for undergraduate researchers the psychrometric who work in the lab. Most of chamber. A psychrometer looks like the time the psychrometric chamber is used to test HVAC a short magician’s Craig Rohwer twirls a sling psychrometer to take equipment and conduct wand that’s broken temperatures inside a chamber used by upperresearch projects related to the in the middle. The level engineering students at MSU. HVAC field. Some of those operator holds one increasingly uncomfortable in end so the other end twirls. The projects are related to AAON, this 13-by-16-foot room in the an HVAC manufacturing comdry bulb temperature is the air basement of the EPS Building. pany based in Tulsa, Okla., and temperature without moisture.

The exercise occurs evfounded by Winifred, Mont.

The wet bulb temperature ery spring as part of Kevin native and MSU alumnus indicates moisture in the air.

Norm Asbjornson, ’60 ME, ’04 Amende’s Thermal Processes Swinging the instruments creHonDoc. A long-time supportLab, and it’s designed to ates air flow. er of small Montana schools show upper-level students the Cloth, called a wet bulb importance of keeping people sock, covers the end of the ther- and MSU, Asbjornson donated comfortable in their homes and mometer. When air flows across more than $600,000 in cash, equipment and technical advice offices and how it feels when the wet sock, it cools it down they’re not, said Amende, adbased on how much moisture is to create the HVAC laboratory.

—Evelyn Boswell junct assistant professor in the in the air.

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Mission: MSU MSU’s new mission statement was approved at the November 2011 Board of Regents meeting.

The new mission reads: Montana State University, the State’s land-grant institution, educates students, creates knowledge and art, and serves communities, by integrating learning, discovery, and engagement.

BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S

Rob Ash earns Coach of the Year honors

Winter Wonderland Bozeman was No. 3 on Livability.com’s “Top 10 Winter Cities.” The criteria considered how well a city “embraces the winter season and has a winter culture” in addition to livability factors like affordable housing and low unemployment rates.

Bozeman was noted for its snowboarding, snowmobiling, Nordic and Alpine skiing, premier ice climbing and friendly snowplow practices.

After a season marked by a second straight trip to the Division I-FCS playoffs, Montana State University Head Football Coach Rob Ash received the ultimate reward for his inspirational leadership both on and off the field. Liberty Mutual Insurance announced the fifthyear Bobcat head coach as 2011 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award winner for the FCS. The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award is the leading college football honor recognizing coaches for their sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility and excellence, on and off the field.

Ash rose above a group of five FCS coach finalists through fan voting and ballots cast by a selection committee comprised of national media and College Football Hall of Fame players and coaches. Fans’ votes contributed 20 percent to each coach’s final score, and the media and College Football Hall of Fame accounted for 25 percent and 55 percent, respectively. LSU’s Les Miles (FBS), Tim Beck of Pittsburg (Kans.)

State (Division II), and Glenn Caruso (St. Thomas of Minnesota, Division III) join Ash as this year’s 2011 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year winners.

“When Liberty Mutual created this award in 2006, we set out to establish an award that is more than an acknowledgement of a great season, but rather the highest recognition of the responsibility coaches

a nonprofit dedicated to youth have to their schools and suicide prevention. their communities, on and off Ash joins Dave Arnold, who the field,” said Greg Gordon, won Kodak Coach of the Year Liberty Mutual senior vice honors after leading MSU to president, Consumer Marketthe 1984 National Championing. “Every year our winners ship, as Montana State national use their award to positively coach of the year honorees. Ash impact so many people in will be honored in the permatheir communities, and we are excited to help extend the reach nent Liberty Mutual Coach of of Coach Ash’s favorite charities the Year display at the College Football Hall of Fame. In addiin 2012.” tion, Liberty Mutual will make Ash has built a legendary a $50,000 charitable donation career on the field, amassing on his behalf, which Coach Ash 215 wins and a .635 winning percentage in 32 years as a head has designated to Greater Gallatin United Way and the Boys coach. In his fifth season at and Girls Clubs of Southwest Montana State, Ash is already among the program’s most-win- Montana. Liberty Mutual also ning coaches with 39 victories will make a $20,000 scholarship and led the Bobcats to a second donation to the Montana State straight FCS playoff berth in Alumni Association in Ash’s 2011 before falling in the quarhonor. With this year’s awards, terfinal round to finish with Liberty Mutual now has doa 10-3 record. He is the career nated more than $1.5 million wins leader at his two previous to over 80 charities on behalf of schools, Juniata and Drake. the 21 Liberty Mutual Coach of Off the field, Coach Ash the Year winners since 2006. and his staff support the “This is a tremendous honor academic responsibilities of for Rob Ash and for Montana their student-athletes, and State Football,” said MSU Disince arriving in 2007 has rector of Athletics Peter Fields. seen Montana State’s academic “His values embody those of Montana State University, and progress rate improve more he puts them into action both than 60 points. Two Bobcats on and off the field. We’re earned regional or national proud of Rob and his coachall-academic honors in 2011, ing staff and student-athletes, and Ash and his team are leadand we’re thankful to Liberty ers in the Bozeman area and Mutual for recognizing this throughout the state. In the excellence and for the contribupast year alone, Bobcat players and coaches compiled over 800 tions to charitable causes in the Bozeman community and on hours of community service, campus.” —Bill Lamberty benefitting Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs, local elementary schools, and other organizations in the Gallatin Valley.

Ash is personally involved in several charitable endeavors, including Coach to Cure MD, and is a spokesman for United Way and the Jason Foundation,

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BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S

MSU ag technology to enter global market There is a vial of little blue pellets in Barry Jacobsen’s lab. Its contents, a bacterium taken from a few healthy leaves in a northeast Montana sugar beet field overrun with disease, could save farmers around the world millions of dollars each year.

Since Jacobsen, a professor of plant sciences and plant pathology in MSU’s College of Agriculture, isolated it in 1994 during a catastrophic Cercospora leaf spot outbreak near Sidney, Mont., the bacterium—Bacillus mycoides isolate J, or BmJ—has shown impressive abilities. It has proven effective in fighting a variety of plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses.

BmJ is a biological control agent, as opposed to an industrial chemical used as a pesticide.

“I’d always been looking to develop a viable biological control product that would be beneficial to people growing a range of crops,” said Jacobsen, “And I always considered that if I could do that, my career would have meant something.”

After years of academic research, an initial U.S. patent process and licensing to Missoulabased start-up Montana Microbial Products, Inc., BmJ was recently sublicensed to Certis USA, a top manufacturer of biopesticides. Based in Columbia, Md., Certis plans to market its BmJbased products around the globe.

The lack of a biological approach to a particular fungus—Cercospora leaf spot—was the reason Jacobsen found himself in that Sidney sugar beet field in 1994, where crops had been largely wiped out due to the disease.

Still, there were still some healthy plants in

the field. Something about those plants helped them fend off the disease. What was it?

Of the roughly 300 bacteria isolated from those leaves, BmJ did something special. It turned on one particular gene—called the NPR1 gene—found in most plants. When the NPR1 gene is turned on, it sets in motion a whole range of defenses for the plant, a process called induced resistance.

Since the plant exhibits no physical signs that BmJ has permeated its outer tissue, the question of how an immune response gets triggered is mysterious, Jacobsen said. Sprinkle almost any amount of BmJ on any location on a plant and a signal is sent, activating the NPR1 gene throughout the entire plant.

“For any plant that has this NPR1 gene, this bacillus is going to turn it on and we should get some level of disease control,” Jacobsen said.

Nina Zidack, director of the MSU Potato Lab, said BmJ offers a new chapter in biological control because it covers such a variety of crops and diseases, in particular viruses. Zidack was a post-doctoral researcher when she joined the BmJ team shortly after its discovery. She is listed on MSU’s patent as a co-inventor of BmJ, along with Jacobsen and former doctoral student Rebecca Bargabus-Larson, ’Pl Sci PhD. Jacobsen said it meant a lot that countless hours of work on BmJ put those little blue pellets where they could help farmers grow better crops.

“You always have to remember what the farmer needs,” Jacobsen said. —Sepp Janotta

Top 10 for “Live to Ski” MSU was on ESPN’s “Best Colleges for Skiers: The 10 best colleges in the U.S. for people who live to ski” list.

The list was based on “best access to good skiing and a community of people who share that same passion.”

In addition, MSU hosted the 2012 NCAA Division I Skiing Championships in March.

The Alpine and Nordic events were held at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch respectively.

MSU publications win top awards at regional CASE competition Publications produced by MSU Communications won high honors in the 2012 Council for Advancement and Support of Education District VIII awards program.

MSU student recruitment materials won a gold award in the visual design/multipage print design category. The materials were designed by Ron Lambert, MSU’s director of creative services. Lee Cook, MSU marketing specialist, edited and wrote the copy. Photography was by MSU photographer Kelly Gorham, ’95 MTA. The materials included the MSU Viewbook, two posters and three brochures sent to prospective students.

The MSU Viewbook also won a silver award in the alumni and student publica-

tions/viewbooks and prospectus publications category. Lambert, Cook, Gorham and Jake Dolan, ’03 CS, director of MSU Web communications, were cited. Dolan and MSU’s Jeanine Schoessler, Web Communications, provided the interactive Web presence and analytics for the MSU Viewbook: www.montana.edu/viewbook/2011.

MSU’s Mountains and Minds magazine also received gold and silver awards in the publication category. MSU’s flagship magazine won a gold award for print general interest magazines for universities with enrollments of 5,000–15,000 students.

The magazine is edited by Carol Schmidt.

Bridget Ashcraft, ’03 Fine Arts, is the art director.

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Mountains and Minds also received a silver award for design improvement. Ashcraft was the lead designer in the re-design of the magazine, which debuted with the fall 2011 issue.

CASE District VIII includes more than 130 colleges and universities in Western Canada, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. CASE is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. This year there were more than 500 entries in the CASE District VIII competition.

— MSU News Services

BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S

Montana State’s new microscopes advance understanding of microbes

One of the nation’s most advanced confocal scanning laser microscope arrays has finished its first semester of work at Montana State University and exceeded researchers’ expectations in advancing understanding of the role of bacteria in everything from infection to industrial corrosion to basic science.

The $900,000 grant-funded microscope array is housed and operated by MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering. Founded in 1990, the center is a world leader in the study of bacterial biofilms. Built by Leica, the microscope array is used primarily by the CBE to study the sticky bacterial colonies known as biofilms that attach to human

the Northwest. The microscope array allows researchers to video live microbes in their natural conditions—something that MSU makes strong has been previously impossible. showing in 2012 Many other microscope Peace Corps’ rankings systems require samples to be The number of Montana treated and dried before imagState University graduates ing, which kills cells and devolunteering for the stroys the structure of biofilms.

Peace Corps has placed “If you can imagine comparthe university 16th in the organization’s 2012 ing microbial cells to the study rankings for volunteer of fish, it’s like we have been participation among putting fish in a tub of water colleges and universities kept at the wrong temperature, with enrollments between shining bursts of skin-burning 5,001 and 15,000 light on them, and taking one undergraduates. The picture every five minutes,” said university moved up two Betsey Pitts, research scienspots from its 2011 ranking. tist and microscope facilities manager for the CBE. “Now, our ‘fish’ are at the water temperature they like, the detectors are so sensitive and the picture-taking so fast that they may not even notice, and we can make a realtime video of them interacting.”

The $900,000 to fund the array is the largest equipment grant in the 21-year history of the CBE, but the MSU microbiology graduate student Kristen Brileya works with the new benefits have already confocal microscope in the Engineering Physical Sciences facility at the been shared with six Bozeman campus. Microscopic images of very minute detail can be viewed academic departon the various monitors attached to the microscope. ments in two coltissue in wounds, the insides leges across MSU. Designated a of pipelines and can gum up “core facility” of the university’s machinery, causing billions research enterprise, the array of dollars in damages and lost is available for use by students production. and faculty from across the There are only five other university as well as by private similarly equipped confocal mi- industry. croscope arrays in the U.S., and “The CBE integrates activithe CBE has the only one in ties in three areas that are often

Collegian | 8

difficult for universities to bring together successfully: research, education and industry partnership,” said Phil Stewart, CBE’s director. “This microscope array provides benefits to each of those three areas.”

In the past year, 88 graduate and undergraduate students were involved in projects at the CBE, many of them using the new microscope system for interdisciplinary research on chronic wounds, remediating contaminated soils, corrosion of industrial pipelines, and the use of wetlands for water treatment.

“We are giving students hands-on experience operating and doing research with this million-dollar piece of technology. Such student access is almost unheard of in higher education. It’s definitely a very special thing and something that would be hard to find at many larger universities,” Stewart said. —Tracy Ellig

Confocal microscope image captured by Karen Moll/Betsey Pitts, Center for Biofilm Engineering

BLUE & GOLD M S U N E W S

World’s media turn to MSU polar expert for insight into Russian expedition A Montana State University expert on microbial life in polar environments and a leader of a U.S. project to explore the world beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has garnered worldwide attention for his insights into a Russian drilling project in Antarctica.

Russian scientists announced Feb. 8 that they had drilled through 2.4 miles of ice and reached the surface of Lake Vostok on Feb. 5. Lake Vostok, approximately the size of Lake Ontario, is one of the largest freshwater lakes on the planet, and by far the largest out of more than 200 that lie below Antarctica’s ice sheets. Since the lake has not been in direct contact with the atmosphere for more than 15 million years, the Russians hope to find primitive bacteria that could help explain the origins of life on Earth and other planets. The Russians have been drilling for more than a decade to reach the lake.

John Priscu, a professor in MSU’s Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, was quoted extensively about the project by the New York Times, Washington Post, the national CBS News, Scientific American, the Voice of America and other media outlets in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. He also conducted two live interviews on National Public Radio.

His website received almost 20 million hits within two weeks of the Russians reaching Lake Vostok.

Having spent more than 25 research seasons in Antarctica

and as the acting chief scientist of a similar U.S. drilling project in Antarctica, Priscu was asked to comment on the Russians’ drilling techniques and their possible impact on the subglacial environment, as well as their scientific achievements.

He told Voice of America that the Russians would put no probes or hardware into Lake Vostok. They also would not let any of their borehole fluid enter the ancient, pristine lake.

Priscu told the New York Times that the Russians were racing against time to complete the project before the Antarctic summer ended. Temperatures had already dropped to lower than minus-45 degrees Fahrenheit. He added that he applauded the Russians for their success and said,” I think they have done a great job given the fact that they were working in temperatures dropping to minus-50 Fahrenheit and pressing the ensuing polar night.”

When the Russians were out of radio communication for a week, Priscu also addressed concerns for the team’s safety.

“They are very capable scientists and drillers and the thought never entered my mind that they are in any kind of danger,” he told FoxNews. com. He added that lost communications are common when working in the most remote place on the planet.

The United States and Great Britain, in two separate projects, plan to start drilling through the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in 2013 to reach other subglacial lakes, but their techniques are

different from the Russians.

The U.S. and U.K., who are targeting smaller and younger lakes than Lake Vostok, both plan to use hot-water drills to melt through the ice. While the Russians used 66 tons of kerosene-based fluids to keep

their borehole open, the U.S. and U.K. projects will use hot water to both melt through the ice and maintain pressure within the borehole so that it does not squeeze shut under the enormous pressures below the ice sheet.

The U.S. drill is already on its way to western Antarctica, where American drillers plan to melt through 3,000 feet of ice to reach Subglacial Lake Whillans and its rivers beneath an Antarctic ice stream, Priscu said. The filtration system to ensure the sterility of the hot water was tested at MSU’s College of Engineering last year.

Spring 2012 | 9

—Tracy Ellig

MSU professor John Priscu is a sought-after expert on microbial life in polar ice and a leader of a U.S. project to explore the world beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Montana S hakespeare IN THE Parks takes a bow

BY M A RJOR IE SMIT H

T

hose who watched a handful of amateur actors do scenes from Shakespeare in seven Montana communities one summer had no idea they were helping inaugurate a tradition. Now, as MSUbased Montana Shakespeare in the Parks gears up for its 40th anniversary tour, it is a cultural cornerstone. When Joel Jahnke arrived in 1976 as staff designer in MSU’s Department of Theatre Arts, he had no idea the bard would become central to his career.

Launched in 1973 by theatre department head Bruce Jacobsen, ’62 Acctg, ’66 M, the Shakespeare tour expanded in scope, hiring professional actors while Jahnke designed costumes, sets and props. When Jacobsen left for another job in 1979, Jahnke became artistic director.

Through the years, MSIP has grown to an 11-week tour of two plays (Shakespeare or other classics), delighting audiences in 60 communities throughout Montana and in four neighboring states.

MSIP is supported by an intricate web of community sponsorship fees, individual donations, grants, business contributions and a bit of MSU’s budget as one of the university’s outreach efforts.

Major MSIP supporter Elise Donohue, a Clyde Park., Mont., rancher, says, “I’d enjoyed performances in Bozeman, but

generously underwritten by their new neighbor, ranch owner Forest Mars “of the candy family.”

Artistic director Jahnke also presides over two newer education programs.

Shakespeare in the Schools, celebrating its 20th anniversary tour next fall, sends a smaller troupe of actors to middle and high when I saw a performance in Forsyth, schools to perform and conduct discussions Mont.,—seeng ranchers’ families bringing and workshops (stage combat is a perennial their picnics and watching Shakespeare— favorite). then I truly understood what it means in Completing its third tour this spring is this state.”

Montana Shakes! introducing elementary “My kids grew up on Shakespeare in the school students to Shakespeare. “If we Parks,” says Laurel Fjell, long-time MSIP answered the schools’ demand, we could do coordinator for the eastern Montana ranchShakes the whole school year instead of just ing community of Birney. “My grandkids for a few weeks,” says Jahnke who hopes to grew up on it.” see the artistic director position become fullBirney’s MSIP history goes back to 1973. time in the university’s structure instead of Jacobsen’s parents had retired to Birney and part-time as it’s been during his 35 years. his mother, Mary Elizabeth Jacobsen, a “Most of our actors are young profesformer Montana State theatre instructor, or- sionals launching their careers,” Jahnke says. ganized a Birney stop on the first tour. The “We can’t use Equity members because their play was such a hit—and the venue on a sce- union rules demand a day off each week. nic bluff in the Custer National Forest made We give our actors a day off in July and two such an impression on the actors—Birney in August, but they come back despite the became a regular stop. grueling schedule.

“Mary Elizabeth got us involved the “There’s something vital about the second year,” Fjell says. rawness of the performance—no backstage Fjell coordinated actor housing and to hide in, you can see the entire audience. meals in the isolated community as well as Wind blows props away, dogs come up on fundraising. “The Birney turkey shoot, that stage, and there’s always the weather.” was our best fundraiser,” Fjell says. In recent “Arduous?” Actor Mark Kuntz, ’96 MTA, years, the Birney sponsorship fee has been repeats a reporter’s question. He’s just signed Collegian |

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Montana Shakespeare in the Parks delights audiences in 60 communities throughout Montana and in four neighboring states. The 2012 Montana Shakespeare in the Parks season kicks off in Bozeman on June 20 with their first-ever performance of “Hamlet.” A full schedule is available online at www2.montana.edu/shakespeare.

As tour manager, Kuntz says, “I make the up for his 10th summer tour with MSIP. weather calls—outdoors or indoor? I try to He also does the Schools and Shakes tours resolve interpersonal dilemmas—conflicts and functions as company manager on tour. heighten on the road.”

“Sure, we drive for hours every day and, Jahnke realized what an institution MSIP when we get there, we have to put up the had become in 2004 when Butte was left stage and scenery, and after the performance, off the itinerary because of communication in most places, we have a homestay instead breakdowns with its sponsorship committee. of a quiet hotel room. But arduous? I think “We were doing Julius Caesar that summer,” most of us love it so much we wouldn’t call Jahnke remembers.

“The headline on the it arduous. front page of the Montana Standard was ’Et “Those communities think it’s so cool to tu, Butte?’

So that year we added a Labor have us. It’s fun playing the major towns, Day performance in Butte. but the small towns are our bread and butter. We like to say we emote from Eureka to Ekalaka.”

“We can’t extend too long after Labor Day,” he says. “By then we’re losing the daylight.”

How has MSIP thrived for 40 years?

“We got lucky,” Jahnke grins but turns serious. “It was a brilliant idea. I recently came across a Bozeman Daily Chronicle clipping that included Bruce Jacobsen’s thoughts on founding the project. I was proud to see we’re still following that as our core mission.

“So many actors, directors and designers over the past 40 years have contributed to our success. And I think it’s a perfect example of the land-grant mission.”

PHOTOS COURTESY JOEL JAHNKE, MONTANA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKS

Montana Shakespeare in the Parks has been bringing live theatre to cities and towns across the state for 40 years. Shown left: Hamilton, above: Birney.

Spring 2012 | 11

M

Nursing student a gift to Indian country

BY A N NE C A N T R EL L

ontana State University nursing And, she already has experience with student Mariya Couch believes preventive health care in Indian country. education empowers people.

For about a year, she has been sharing It’s part of why she chose to information about radon and lung health enroll at MSU and also why she plans to with Browning citizens. The work is part use her degree to help a Native American of an ongoing research project headed by community.

MSU nursing professor Laura Larsson.

“It’s important to have more Native Couch credits MSU’s CO-OP proAmerican nurses that can go home and gram as particularly important to her serve their home communities,” Couch success. Through it, she has found a core said. “I believe that’s where change will group of friends—a network of fellow come from.” students that has been incredibly valuable.

Couch is an enrolled Northern Chey“We support each other, love each other enne and spent part of her growing-up and will each other success,” she said. “It’s years in Billings, Mont. She enrolled at been really powerful—like a family.”

MSU after moving to Bozeman as a young CO-OP advisers and professors are adult. As a future nurse, she hopes to also powerful advocates and sources of help a rural Native American community help and support, she said. receive culturally sensitive, preventive “I’ve always had someone to talk to and health care. answer my questions,” Couch said. “And “I knew that I wanted to do something if they don’t know the answer, they’ll find in which I could help people,” she said. someone who does.”

“Nursing has been a good choice.”

Those who know Couch say she posi“It’s important to have more Native tively affects others already.

American nurses that can go home “Mariya has excelled in all areas, and and serve their home communities. I she is someone who other students really believe that’s where change will come look up to,” said Twila Old Coyote, asfrom.” —Mariya Couch sistant director of Caring for Our Own (CO-OP), a program that aims to recruit and graduate Native American nurses who Time management has been Couch’s will work on Native American reservabiggest challenge throughout school, she tions or in urban settings in Montana. said, particularly as she tries to balance be“She tries to help other students and be ing a student with being a mother to her supportive of them. That makes a real almost two-year-old daughter. difference, not only to their own success, “You’re always having to pick one or the but also in their ability to impact Indian other, and you never feel like you’re doing country.” quite enough in either area,” she said. “At After graduating from MSU in 2013, least that’s what I really struggle with.”

Couch would like to continue her training Still, Couch has maintained excelby participating in a yearlong program lent grades, including a 4.0 grade point the Indian Health Service offers for recent average during the semester she gave birth graduates. The program, which Couch to her daughter. Old Coyote noted that would do at Benefis Health System in Couch is a wonderful parent.

Great Falls, Mont., enables new nurses to Couch is committed to education work closely with a mentor in many differ- because it has the potential to make life ent settings. better.

“Getting experience at a bigger hospital “Higher education is invaluable,” she will make me a better nurse in a small said. “It’s how I will make sure my daughcommunity,” she said. ter has everything she needs. Plus, it’s Couch then plans to pursue a docimportant to me that she understands why toral degree and become a licensed nurse her mother maintained these obligations. practitioner. She eventually hopes to work It’s so that she could have a better life.” for the Indian Health Service in BrownOld Coyote predicted that Couch will ing, Mont., because she feels the need is be a wonderful nurse. particularly great there.

“She’ll be such a gift to Indian country,” Old Coyote said.

Collegian | 12

Kenneth Christensen Taking Reins of National Music Teachers’ Organization

BY M A RJOR IE SMIT H

Many of his friends and fans know him as a solo pianist or as an accompanist par excellence, but another part of his life is just as important as performing to Kenneth Christensen, ’88 Music.

“I love teaching, absolutely love it,” Christensen says, seated in his Bozeman living room/studio. His enthusiasm shows—his peers in the oft-unsung world of music teaching recently named him president-elect of the Music Teachers National Association.

Founded in 1876 to advance the value of music study and music-making in society while supporting the careers and professionalism of music teachers, the Cincinnati-based MTNA boasts almost 22,000 members drawn from all 50 states. The majority of MTNA members are independent teachers, but there are also a number of college professors. Christensen himself taught for several years at MSU. He left in 2000 to be an independent teacher.

“I actually sat down and made myself a business plan,” he says. “I decided how much money I needed to make, how many Kenneth Christiansen, pianist and nationally certified music teacher, has performed internationally students I could teach per week and what including at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

I would have to charge.” Teaching fees are one area where MTNA provides guidance. elect and will take over the presidency next Christensen has his students do a lot of “Most music teachers need to make a living spring in Anaheim, Calif. performing including at informal soirees wage,” he says. “That’s harder if they’re comChristensen has 30 Bozeman-area that he arranges. “I want them to enjoy peting for students with someone who has students who take weekly one-hour lessons. music for the rest of their lives,” he says. other financial support and is just teaching Most of his students are adults, but he has “The discipline they learn in practicing and for creative fulfillment.” former students he worked with as high performing will help elsewhere in their lives.”

Christensen lists other benefits MTNA schoolers who went on to major in music.

Christensen’s own performing career has membership provides: meeting colleagues, “Some of my students have music degrees, included a recital at New York’s Carnegie networking, opportunities for professional or are also music teachers,” he says. “One is Hall a few years ago with his duo-piano development, as well as workshops and conan astrophysicist.” His one requirement is partner Liza Heller. He frequently performs ferences where teachers sometimes meet the that his students must be serious about their as a piano soloist but insists, “I prefer colpeople who write the books they’re teaching piano studies. laboration to solo performance.” One of his from. MTNA also has festivals and competiBeing serious is a promise Jill Baumler major collaborative efforts is as rehearsal tions for students and administers a program made to herself when she began studyaccompanist for the Intermountain Opera to nationally certify teacher qualifications. ing with Christensen. She takes two-hour Bozeman productions. In the months leadYears ago Christensen headed a local lessons and practices at least two hours a ing up to the May and October performancBozeman teachers group. Later he was day. “If I learn to play the piano well, that’s es, his 10 skilled fingers fill in for an entire president of the state MTNA affiliate and a bonus,” she says. “It’s really about the orchestra during chorus and staging rehearswent on to become a board member in the incredible journey of working with Ken.” als until a few days before opening night. regional division comprised of Washington, Christensen asks new students to audi“I adore the opera, but teaching is still the Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming and Mon- tion. After they play for him, he gives them center of my work life,” he says as his next tana. He’ll attend this year’s annual MTNA a lesson. This allows him to assess what he student arrives for her lesson. convention in New York City as presidentcould do for them, and helps them decide if they’d profit from his coaching.

Spring 2012 | 13

Engineers Without Borders is recognized as being one of the most ambitious and most successful student-led organizations in the university’s history, with more than 60 active students representing every college within the university. EWB is committed to bringing clean drinking water to 61 schools in Khwisero, and the group’s work helps empower young students, especially girls, who are forced to spend hours each day collecting water for their families.

MSU receives national award recognizing student efforts to bring clean water to Kenya

BY A N NE C A N T R EL L

I

n the past eight years, a student-run organization at Montana State University that provides clean water and sanitary latrines to schools in Kenya has benefited an estimated 3,500 Kenyans, but it is just the beginning of work estimated to take 40 to 50 years to complete.

Since forming a local chapter of Engineers Without Borders, approximately 80 MSU students have traveled to the Khwisero District in rural western Kenya. The students have built seven deep-water wells and 10 composting latrines in an effort to decrease the rate of waterborne illnesses. They also have designed a distribution pipeline to link one of the wells to additional schools, a health clinic and a market, and they have surveyed thousands of individuals and families about their water habits and needs.

In the process, the students are not only making a real difference in the region but are also bringing national recognition to Montana State.

Last fall, MSU was recognized for the group’s work by being named the winner of the prestigious C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award by the

Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. MSU beat out some of the largest universities in the nation for the award.

The Magrath award was presented at the APLU’s annual meeting in San Francisco.

Given just once a year, the award recognizes a four-year public university that embraces outreach and community engagement and comes with a $20,000 prize.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by your peers as having an outstanding engagement program,” said Paul F. Hassen, vice president of public affairs at the APLU. MSU competed for the award against three other finalists: Michigan State’s 10-year effort to help epilepsy patients in Zambia; the redevelopment projects of Penn State architecture students in Pittsburgh and the efforts of faculty and students at the University of Tennessee to help a Burundian immigrant community adapt to Knoxville.

The three finalist schools have significantly larger enrollments than MSU: Michigan State enrolls nearly 48,000 students; Penn State has more than 45,000 on its flagship campus and more than 95,000 system-wide; and the University of Tennessee enrolls Collegian |

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approximately 27,500 students. MSU’s fall enrollment was 14,153.

The award is both meaningful and significant, said MSU President Waded Cruzado.

“I am extremely proud of our students, who have shown tremendous dedication to their work in Kenya,” Cruzado said. “Their efforts are an inspiring example of how outreach and service can impact the lives of others in a truly meaningful way.”

MSU plans to use the $20,000 that comes with the award to pilot new programs.

Those programs will enable faculty teams from many different disciplines to develop outreach-focused coursework and mentor students, according to the award application.

“EWB’s primary mission necessitates a long-term commitment and cultural exchange between MSU students and the Khwisero region in Kenya,” said Doug Steele, MSU vice president for external affairs and director of Extension. EWB’s work differs significantly from many development projects in that it is committed to working with a region in Africa for what could be decades.

PHOTOS COURTESY ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS

MSU students and EWB members Katie Ritter and Kiera McNelis traveled to San Francisco to attend the awards ceremony.

They said the award is a great vote of confidence and the accompanying funds will help further EWB’s work.

“The students in our group have such a passion for development work and for helping people,” Ritter said. “To be nationally recognized for what we do is amazing.”

The $20,000 prize that will go to MSU may be used for a wider range of purposes than money EWB raises through fundraisers.

Fundraising proceeds are limited due to tax restrictions and other considerations.

EWB is recognized as being one of the most ambitious and most successful student-led organizations in the university’s history, with more than 60 active students representing every college within the university. EWB is committed to bringing clean drinking water to 61 schools in Khwisero, and the group’s work helps empower young students, especially girls, who are forced to spend hours each day collecting water for their families. As a result of the new wells, students spend less time walking to get wa-

hard working—literally devoting thousands of volunteer hours to improving the lives of people in Kenya. I am continually amazed and impressed by their efforts.”

EWB at MSU has received numerous other recognitions for its efforts, including the EWB-USA Premiere Chapter Award and the Community Mediation Peacekeeper Award.

Last year, EWB at MSU PHOTO BY DOL AN PERSONKE also was selected as one of four regional winners of the ter and more time in the classroom. To date, 2011 Outreach Scholarship/W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award. The award EWB at MSU has raised nearly $500,000 was given by the APLU at the 12th Annual to further its efforts—including more than $200,000 in grants, awards or donations last National Outreach Scholarship Conference in East Lansing, Mich., and was accompayear alone. nied by a $5,000 prize.

In addition to the group’s efforts in Kenya, EWB at MSU has developed peripheral projects benefiting various communities in Montana, including Native American tribes.

“The work these students do is humbling,” said Otto Stein, one of EWB at MSU’s faculty advisers. “They are dedicated and Spring 2012 | 15

Perseverance brings victory to Travis Lulay

BY C A ROL SCH M IDT

PHOTO BY CP IMAGES COURTESY BC LIONS

Travis Lulay’s, ’06 BuFi, personal mantra ing away. I knew I was good enough and just “I don’t have to make that decision yet,” on the BC Lions Web page is definitive: needed a break.” he said. “But it is a decision that I will need “There is no substitute for victory.” And it Lulay was signed by the BC Lions in to think about. One thing is certain—I would seem that victory is something that 2009. He saw limited action his first year. In don’t view the CFL as a stepping stone.”

Lulay knows a great deal about. He has put his second year, he started mid-way through Lulay and his wife, Kim, who was his together some important wins in his life, the season, lost his spot and then regained high school sweetheart, recently moved from first as the record-setting quarterback for the it. Lulay began the 2011 season as the starter Bozeman to Vancouver. Yet, he said BozeMSU Bobcats and recently as he engineered and didn’t relinquish it throughout the man remains an important place to them. a storybook turnaround and a Grey Cup vic- championship season.

This December, fresh off his Grey Cup tory for his BC Lions.

Yet, Lulay says the lesson that he learned at Montana State that helped him in his successful march to the Grey Cup, to being named both the Canadian Football League’s Most Valuable Player for 2011 and the Grey Cup MVP, was not necessarily winning. He said he believes the most important lesson from his MSU days was perseverance.

“I feel like my time at Montana State helped prepare me for (the Lions’ turnaround after a 0-5 record at the beginning of the season),” Lulay said. “We were like that almost every year that I was (at MSU), losing one or two games before we would come back and finish the season on a strong note.

Learning to persevere at MSU helped me personally, and it helped me this past season in Vancouver.”

Throughout his career, Lulay has become a master of the personal turnaround.

Bobcat fans remember Lulay as the ultimate competitor who led MSU to three conference championships and three Former record-setting Bobcat quarterback Travis Lulay hoisting the Grey Cup after he led the BC Lions to victories over arch-competitor University of the 2011 Canadian Football League championships.

Montana.

Despite his record-setting ways at MSU, Lulay said his confidence is also rooted in victory, Lulay returned to speak to the MSU Lulay was undrafted in the 2006 National his family, and the way he was brought up.

Bobcats about resiliency prior to their playFootball League draft. He was signed as “I work extremely hard, “ he said. “It was off victory against New Hampshire. Current a free agent, three times with the Seattle instilled in me early on. I am ultra-competMSU quarterback DeNarius McGhee said Seahawks, assigned to the Berlin Thunder itive. It is my goal to give everything I have, Lulay’s talk was inspiring in the team’s first of the now defunct NFL Europe, and once and I approach every game like that.” playoff victory. with the New Orleans Saints. He was cut Lulay said he has also learned leadership “It was an up-and-down game, but we from both the Seahawks and Saints. along the way from some of the best, such as had (his advice) in the back of our minds,” Lulay said while he was sometimes disap- Drew Brees while he was in New Orleans.

McGhee said. pointed during his NFL odyssey, he was not “You see how those players go about pre“I was happy to give back,” Lulay said of discouraged. paring to win, and you incorporate that into his visit to his alma mater. “My experience “I have always had confidence within,” how you go about your business,” Lulay said. at Montana State was 100 percent positive.

Lulay said. “I always told myself that if I “You put yourself in position to gain respect People often talk in terms that my career played poorly and didn’t make it as a pro, from your fellow players.” might have been different if I had played I was OK with that if I had a shot. But, I Now the toast of Canada, Lulay is under at a larger school. Everything happens for had never had the opportunity to prove to contract with the Lions through the 2012 a reason. I was meant to go to MSU. And myself and the people in the professional season. There is already speculation that along the way, I fell in love with Bozeman ranks that I was good at it. So, I kept knock- Lulay may want to take his winning ways and the community.” back to the NFL. Collegian |

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PHOTO BY JEFF DOUGHERT Y

Mark Vargo lining up a shot with an MSU student.

INSET: Clip from the commercial.

New MSU TV commercial showcases students

BY C A ROL SCH M IDT

I

f there’s one word to describe MSU’s newest TV and video commercial it is this: authentic. The 30-second commercial, “We Work Together,” showcases real students, highlights their real projects, and was filmed, edited and produced by real MSU professors, alumni, students and staff.

The spot, which debuted at the Cat/Griz game in November, features MSU’s awardwinning Engineers Without Borders chapter and its work in Kenya. Students from MSU’s EWB chapter have helped build wells that brought clean drinking water and sanitary latrines to rural areas in Kenya.

MSU officials say that they are proud that nearly everyone who worked on the commercial is affiliated with MSU. “We wanted to create a spot that showcases the human dimension of MSU and the fact that what is learned in the classroom changes lives,” said Julie Kipfer, MSU director of marketing and creative services who was the executive producer of the spot. “Fortunately, we had a really deep talented pool of professionals to tap for the project.”

The ad was produced and directed by Dennis Aig, film professor at the MSU School of Film and Photography. Aig, who

is the program head of the MSU Science and Natural History Filmmaking graduate program, is also an award-winning filmmaker.

The commercial drew on the work of several film students who traveled to Kenya with Engineers Without Borders. One of those students, Katie Ritter, a senior majoring in film from Bozeman, was one of two MSU students who traveled to San Francisco in November when MSU received the C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Given just once a year, the award recognizes a four-year public university that embraces outreach and community engagement and comes with a $20,000 prize. MSU beat out international community service projects from public institutions throughout the country for the award, including Michigan State University, Penn State and Tennessee.

The editing on the spot was done by Scott Chestnut, ’78 F&PH, an MSU graduate who has made a career editing films in Hollywood. Mark Vargo, ’77 F&PH, an MSU grad with 33 Hollywood titles to his credit who is a member of the distinguished professional organization, the American Spring 2012 | 17

Society of Cinematographers (ASC), was the director of photography. Vargo served as an adjunct instructor in the School of Film and Photography in fall 2011.

“Without Mark, Scott and the other professionals, this spot would never have been possible to produce in the very tight timeframe,” Aig said. “We met all our deadlines and also offered the students on the crew a great mentoring experience.”

Kipfer said using in-house and local talent allowed MSU to produce a top-quality product at a fraction of the cost of using an outside agency “Nearly 40 people who were involved in the production were either MSU alumni, current students or members of the MSU faculty and staff,” Kipfer said. “The spot was very grassroots in that we were able to tell the story of the incredible volunteer work of the EWB students, using the talent and expertise of people educated at MSU.” The institutional advertisement aired many times during sports broadcasts of Bobcat football and basketball seasons.

To view the new commercial, go to: www.montana.edu/worktogether.

“Some people are really challenged by not having affordable homes and issues related to heat and comfort.” —Mike Vogel

Extension specialist honored for visionary leadership

BY E V E LY N B O S W E L L

Hundreds of oil and gas field workers flock to Montana and North Dakota, where some of them live in recreational vehicles and man camps because they can’t find or afford available housing. One worker loses his sister to apparent carbon monoxide poisoning when she runs a generator without proper ventilation.

A Glasgow, Mont., woman has a water heater that hasn’t worked in months, but she can’t afford to fix it. Natural gas fills the home of an elderly Great Falls, Mont., couple who don’t realize they are in danger until visitors come to the door. Floods leave Montana homes full of mold and unacceptable for living, but the residents have no place to go. Seniors spend more than half their income on energy, so they sacrifice medical treatment and decent diets to pay the bills.

“There have been a lot of things like that,” professor Michael P. Vogel said of his 30 years as Montana State University Extension specialist in housing and environmental health. “Some people are really challenged by not having affordable homes and issues related to heat and comfort.”

For addressing such issues with visionary leadership and educational programming, Vogel won a regional Award for Excellence in Extension from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) in November. He was the only recipient for the western region in 2011 and one of only five recipients across the nation. He is the only Montanan ever to receive the award.

“We celebrate the sustained excellence by these Extension professionals who put research to practice in transforming lives through education,” said Charles A. Hibberd, associate dean and director of Extension at Purdue University, and chair of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy Personnel Subcommittee.

Mike Vogel, inside the Montana Weatherization Training Center in Bozeman

Vogel—whose wife, Christel, graduated from the MSU College of Nursing in 1985 and whose daughter, Kelly, graduated from MSU’s College of Engineering in 2010— came to MSU in 1982 and now directs the largest Extension housing program in the United States. As such, he oversees 23 staff members who are involved with tribal housing, low-income weatherization assistance, alternative energy and healthy housing.

Vogel has also served as director of the Montana Weatherization Training Center in Bozeman for 20 years. He is program leader for the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Program at MSU. He is director of the National Tribal Healthy Homes Training Center and executive director of the international Housing Education and Research Association.

Vogel has prepared and provided leadership for 268 grants totaling more than $18 million. He has contributed to eight books and produced 103 technical training manuals/kits, 49 research/technical reports, 163 consumer bulletins/fact sheets and 16 technical video programs.

Vogel said he first realized the value of Extension when he was working on his doctorate at West Virginia University, and the Collegian | 18

Department of Energy started the Energy Extension Service, a pilot program in 10 states. He began working for the program and discovered that Extension benefited real people with real concerns, Vogel said. At the same time, it allowed him to use his training in industrial processes, construction, architecture and teaching.

Still enthusiastic after three decades, Vogel said Extension not only helps land-grant universities carry out their mission, but it has given him a rewarding career that allows him to work with many different partners to serve ever-changing needs. During the summer of 2011, for example, many of his constituents were Montanans whose homes had been damaged by floods, causing structural problems, drinking water contamination, failed septic systems and unhealthy living conditions due to extensive mold.

Extension combines everything he enjoys, Vogel said.

“I have been real pleased to work in MSU Extension,” he said. “It’s the best show in town. I haven’t had to ‘work’ a day in 30 years.”

N

ovember 19, 2011, may not have been a happy day for Bobcats on the football field, but in another arena, the ’Cats trounced the Grizzlies. In the 12th annual challenge, Bobcat supporters collected more than three times as much donated food for the Gallatin Valley Food Bank as their rivals amassed for the Missoula bank. Coordinating the Bozeman effort was Alexandra Black, ’11 Graphic Design, now an AmeriCorps volunteer.

Kathy Tanner, director of MSU’s Office for Community Involvement, says OCI was created in 1993 to engage young people in their community by finding ways for students to get off campus and volunteer. A key staff member is the team leader AmeriCorps assigns to Tanner’s office.

This year that volunteer is Alex Black.

Originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, Black confesses, “I came to MSU because of the mountains—I’m a snowboarder.” In her freshman year, MSU’s Leadership Institute brought famed primatologist Jane Goodall to campus to lecture. “I wanted to be sure I’d get to hear Goodall and volunteered for the event.” Although Black wasn’t selected as a volunteer, she later was hired by Leadership Institute.

“Volunteering is something I enjoy,” Black said. “I did a lot of it in high school but wasn’t sure I’d have time in college.

After spending her college years involved with the Leadership Institute and various programs organized by Community Involvement, Black enlisted in AmeriCorps after graduation and was given the team leader position.

“I have a 1700-hour commitment to AmeriCorps,” she says. “I get a monthly stipend which helps with small details like rent and food.”

“We’ve regularly enjoyed the work and talent of AmeriCorps volunteers,” says Tanner.

“Alex supports a team of part-timers, connecting students to the community. The nonprofit organizations she works with must have ideas for a closer connection with MSU.” A tutoring program in the Bozeman schools is one example, pairing MSU students with local students from kinder-

Alexandra Black:

The Volunteer Habit

BY M A RJOR I E SM IT H

Alexandra Black at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank

garten through middle school ages. Another recent project for Black and her team was the National Day of Service on January 15, in conjunction with observation of Martin Luther King’s birthday.

“We do Service Saturday once a month, working with four or five different local nonprofits, and average about 50 volunteers per Service Saturday,” Black says. “We help in Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. We do cleaning for the Heart of the Valley Humane Society, the Ellen Theatre, the Emerson Center for the Arts, the Children’s Museum and we helped with Adopt a Sox, which sends Christmas stockings filled with gifts to Montana servicemen serving overseas. We had at least 30 volunteers assembling race packets for this year’s Huffing for Stuffing charity race in Bozeman at Thanksgiving.

They had a record 2,700 runners this year.

We organize transportation to all these jobs for our volunteers.”

Black believes nonprofits and volunteers play an important role in American life. “I really appreciate the fact that some Bozeman employers pay their employees to volunteer for good causes,” she says.

Although all her projects give Black a sense of accomplishment, nothing has Spring 2012 | 19

been as invigorating as the “Can the Griz” food drive.

“The first years they had the food bank competition, MSU collected 3,000 to 4,000 pounds,” Black says. “By 2010 it rose to 27,000 pounds. The total for the 2011 competition was more than 57,000 pounds of food, plus monetary contributions that raised the Bobcat total to 77,386 pounds.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies collected less than 19,000 pounds in a much larger city.” Delivering all that food not only provided lots of volunteer opportunities for students, but created a huge need for more volunteers at the food bank to handle the largesse.

“Our basic idea is to get students off campus and thinking about their lives after college,” says Community Involvement’s Tanner. As for Black’s life after AmeriCorps, she’s headed for San Diego, Calif., where her boyfriend has gotten a job.

“No snowboarding,” she acknowledges ruefully. “I’ll try to find a job either in community development or as a graphic designer.

But whatever I do, I won’t stop volunteering.”

For Alex Black, volunteering is a life-long habit.

MSU S T U D E N T P R O F I L E

S T E P HE N A N D JO E Y S T E F F E NS

Steffens brothers: opera, student government and medicine

BY E V E LY N B O S W E L L

A

Stephen said he was planning to attend Montana State University senior who “the U,” but he changed his mind after wants to sing opera in Europe and receiving a music scholarship to MSU. It an MSU graduate student planning a also helped that Joey was attending MSU career in medicine are more alike than they and that Stephen enjoys Bozeman, mounappear. tain biking and skiing.

He wanted to attend Joey Steffens and Stephen Steffens are a college that was bigger than his high brothers from Helena, Mont., and both are school, but not so big that he was a number, involved with the Associated Students of MSU. Joey, who is working on a master’s Stephen said.

Since coming to MSU, each has found degree in health sciences, is ASMSU vice mentors who helped confirm his decision. president. Stephen, a senior in music, is an Stephen’s is Jon Harney, his voice teacher ASMSU senator representing the College and the person who introduced him to arias. of Arts & Architecture. Both bucked family “One thing about music, especially as a tradition by enrolling at MSU, and each sees vocalist, is that it’s more about teacher/menhimself becoming an active alumnus. tor than the school over all,” Stephen said.

“I love it here,” Joey said from his office One of Joey’s many mentors in the Dein the Strand Union Building. “I hope to partment of Chemistry and Biochemistry is take my kids here someday, not necessarily associate professor Brian Bothner. to make them go here, but to show them “He has been incredible,” Joey said. “He part of my life.” loves what he does and loves helping stuStephen said, “MSU helped me develop who I am as a person. MSU will always be dents.”

So how did the brothers with such part of my life as I grow and move.” disparate goals end up together in student Many members of the Steffens family government? have attended the University of Utah, but Joey said a friend who was active in Joey said he chose MSU because he had ASMSU told him about a senate seat that heard good things about its pre-med prohad become available for appointment. Joey gram and he liked the area.

Collegian | 20

didn’t win that seat, but he won another appointment that allowed him to represent off-campus students. After filling that term, he was elected to serve another term as senator. In the spring of 2011, he was elected vice president.

Stephen—after rooming with his brother for two years and overhearing many discussions about ASMSU business—said he decided to run for senate when his schedule opened up last spring. He started serving this school year, the same semester as Joey became vice president.

“My brother was very supportive of that decision,” Stephen said.

Stephen said his time in student government will probably end this spring when he graduates. He is now applying to graduate school, planning to earn a master’s degree in music, specializing in performance. He eventually hopes to win a two-year contract to sing in the opera houses of Europe.

Joey is also filling out applications. He is applying to medical schools, with his first choice being WWAMI, the regional medical program that involves Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

MSU A L U M N I P R O F I L E

PHOTO BY JASON THOMPSON

DRE W S T O EC K L E IN

Drew Stoecklein excels on both sides of the lens

BY A N NE C A N T R EL L

A

s a professional skier and photographer, Drew Stoecklein, ’08 MTA, does for a living what many people do for fun. But combining work and play isn’t just a benefit of his job—he views it as a requirement.

“In life, it’s really important to follow your passions,” Stoecklein said. “You want to give them 110 percent, and that’s what I try to do.”

For Stoecklein, at least, the combination works. The Montana State University graduate has found success as a big mountain skier, and the book he produced in collaboration with writer Will Godfrey, Seasons of the Steelhead, was recently published.

The 27-year-old’s list of accomplishments includes winning the Freeskiing World Tour in Chile in 2010. (He has competed on that circuit for about a decade.) Mountain Hardwear sponsors him as an athlete, and he has been featured in numerous movies made

by Warren Miller, the legendary skiing and snowboarding filmmaker. As a photographer, Stoecklein—who describes his photographs as “super vibrant” combined with a feeling of adventure—has had his work published in notable magazines such as Backcountry, Skiing, and Canoe and Kayak. He is known

as a photographer who is not only creative and hard-working, but also highly technically skilled.

“In the field Drew does whatever it takes to make shots happen,” said Mark Going, photo editor at Columbia Sportswear. “He is truly a pleasure to work with and be around.”

Stoecklein first worked with Columbia as a sponsored athlete; he now works with the company as a photographer.

If it sounds difficult to excel both in front of and behind the lens, Stoecklein says he’s actually better at both pursuits because of his work with the other.

“If you’re really good at a sport, then you can take really good photos of it,” Stoecklein said. “If you don’t know about the sport or your subjects, it’s hard to take good photos.

You don’t know what details to look for.

“It’s very important as a photographer to have experience on both sides of the lens,” Stoecklein added. “This enables me to have better communication and interaction with my subjects, and in the end it creates outstanding imagery.”

Stoecklein, who grew up in Sun Valley, Idaho, is the son of David Stoecklein, a wellknown photographer of the American West.

He said he didn’t set out to follow in his Spring 2012 | 21

father’s footsteps, but pursuing photography happened naturally after he shattered his leg in a ski injury and had to take a year off from the sport.

“Instead of skiing and jumping off stuff, I picked up one of my dad’s old cameras,” he said.

Choosing MSU for its proximity to good snow, Stoecklein began his studies in film but switched to photography after taking photographs on trips to Utah and Alaska.

In addition to his fine arts degree from MSU, Stoecklein completed a program at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Calif. He says the two programs complemented one another well, with MSU engaging his artistic side and Brooks focusing on the technical.

“I ended up with the best of both worlds,” he said.

Stoecklein, who now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, says he expects photography and skiing will be constants in his life.

“I don’t know if I’ll be skiing at a professional level my entire life or taking photographs forever, but I do look at them as lifelong projects,” he said. “You keep on progressing and keep on learning no matter how far you get.”

REHAU Montana ecosmart house attracts worldwide attention

BY C A ROL SCH M IDT

A

house that may one day change the way we all live is constructed of revolutionary materials and technologies, with a great deal of Montana State innovation thrown in.

The REHAU Montana ecosmart house, which will be completed in Bozeman this spring, has attracted worldwide attention because it features the latest in sustainable and energy saving technologies. MSU graduates, faculty and students all have had input in the 3,800 sq. ft. house.

The house is the brainchild and design of William “Bill” Hoy, ’81 Arch, ’08 M, who will eventually live in the house with his family. But, the house may not have had the same impact had it not been for Hoy’s chance meeting of fellow MSU graduate Kathleen “Kitty” Saylor, ’83 SpCom. Even though Hoy and Saylor attended MSU at the same time, and even lived a short distance from each other when they were in Bozeman, they had never met until three years ago when a mutual friend ar-

ranged a lunch meeting in suburban Washington, D.C., where both were living.

Hoy, then a corporate architect, had planned to move with his family back to Bozeman and had designed the handsome home that would feature cutting-edge sustainable and energy efficient construction materials and techniques. The flexible design would accommodate the multigenerations of his family, including his parents and children. It would also be wheelchair accessible for his daughter.

The project and design were his passion, and a mutual friend arranged a meeting with an executive of a top materials corporation he thought might be interested in sponsoring Hoy’s project. That executive turned out to be Saylor, the president and CEO of REHAU North America, based in Leesburg, Va. REHAU is an international innovator and manufacturer of polymerbased products and systems.

When Saylor first saw the photo on the cover of the proposal, she said, “That is Bozeman, Montana.”

Collegian | 22

Hoy was stunned. “Are you familiar with Bozeman?” Hoy asked. The two then learned not only of their mutual experiences, but of their mutual interests in a project that would test sustainable materials in the Rockies.

“We are in the business of selling building products, so it makes sense to test these products and systems in a place like Montana to really see how they stand up to the climate,” Saylor said.

Hoy and REHAU’s collaboration may have lasting effects in the building industry, and has certainly had lasting effects at MSU. Hoy thought the project had potential to help teach MSU students so he pulled in another old friend, Terry Beaubois, who had just become the founding director of the MSU College of Arts and Architecture’s Creative Research Lab, which promotes innovative learning for students across campus.

Soon, Beaubois had enlisted faculty and students from several colleges: the College of Engineering’s Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, the College of

(L to R) REHAU collaborators Terry Beaubois, Kathleen Saylor and William Hoy

PHOTOS BY MEG MCWHINNE Y

Business to help in business and marketing; students from the College of Arts and Architecture in documenting the progress of the house in film and photography and posting a webcam of the construction site; as well as architecture students to help in planning.

Kevin Amende, an MSU professor of mechanical engineering, and his students are capturing data from thousands of sensors built into the house to see how some of the heating and cooling systems are operating in Montana’s climate. The data is gathered every 5.5 seconds. MSU will monitor the data for five years.

“It’s been a tremendous opportunity for our students,” Beaubois said. “All across the nation, and even throughout the world, people are watching this project.”

One reason for the interest is that the house has been built with redundant systems. For instance, there are five heating and cooling systems in the house: geothermal ground loop heat exchange, ground-air heat exchange, radiant heating and cooling, radiant cooling panels as well as a thermal heat sink well. Data from the sensors will help engineers determine which systems work best, and in what configuration.

Several of the house’s suppliers are also affiliated with MSU. For instance, Norm

Asbjornson, ’60 ME, ’04 HonDoc, president and CEO of AAON, Inc, a large air conditioning manufacturer based in Tulsa, Okla., helped consult on and supply the heat pump.

One reason for the interest is that the house has been built with redundant systems. For instance, there are five heating and cooling systems in the house: geothermal ground loop heat exchange, ground-air heat exchange, radiant heating and cooling, radiant cooling panels as well as a thermal heat sink well. Data from the sensors will help engineers determine which systems work best, and in what configuration.

Inventor Harlan Byker, ’76 Chem, ’79 Ph.D., who holds 44 patents in the field of reflective glass, developed the light-sensitive windows in the home that react to and filter out sunlight without altering the home’s spectacular 360-degree views.

Hoy and Saylor also credit scores of Bozeman-area craftsmen and suppliers who

Spring 2012 | 23

have provided excellent work on the house, providing products and services not usually found in a residence.

“We are trying to understand the optimum systems for the return on investment for houses for alternate energy,” said Hoy, who since the project began has joined REHAU as a director of new business development.

Hoy added that he and his family will move into the house in three years when the testing period is over.

Saylor said that it has been exciting to see the house being built.

“The most exciting part is just setting the plans in motion and seeing how it works together,” she said. “It will also be exciting to see what the data teaches us. The project will enable REHAU to go to architects with solid information about its building projects and systems and allow the company to recommend what systems work best under what conditions.”

To see the Montana REAHAU ecosmart house webcam and learn more, go to: http://209.181.6.25/sample/nuspectra

Brad Brooks shown working at the MSU Research Lab in the mid-1970s and today.

PHOTO COURTESY BRADFORD BROOKS

Toxicologist named one of IBM’s best and brightest

BY SE PP J A NOT TA

W

hen he is not putting his microbiology and immunology degrees from MSU to the test with IBM’s global toxicology unit, Brad Brooks, ’76 Micro M, ’79 PhD, likes to retreat to a sparse and wind-swept mesa not far from where the Santa Fe Trail once brought pioneers to the foot of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

“Their stories were often about regular people who, as individuals, had to stand up to do the right thing,” Brooks says. “They embody a type of heroism that wasn’t always pretty and sometimes ended tragically, but they took it upon themselves to do the right thing, even if it was beyond the scope of the law, and even if it went unsung.”

In his 21st century life, where he is tasked with protecting IBM employees, consumers and the environment from toxic materials, there is peace of mind in toiling anonymously, Brooks says. “If you know about me professionally, if I’m in the news as an IBM toxicologist, then probably I’ve failed in my job somewhere along the line.”

It is precisely Brooks’ success at staying out of the limelight that earned him recognition at IBM: in 2011 Brooks was named one of eight new IBM Fellows as one of the company’s best and brightest. Of its 450,000 employees, IBM has bestowed this honor on just 231 people since 1963.

While being named a fellow does not technically come with a cash award, Brooks said IBM offers its fellows the time and financial backing to pursue projects near to their hearts—in his case promoting the adoption

of STEM (science-technology-engineeringJutila turned that praise around, pointmath) based curricula in U.S. schools. ing to Brooks’ track record, first as a bright Though he is pleased that being an IBM student, and then at IBM, flagging harmful Fellow gives him a soapbox to encourage edu- compounds that might otherwise go into cators to use STEM, Brooks humbly passes products found ubiquitously in homes and credit along. There are other stars in his tale, workplaces. he says. Among them are IBM and MSU. “It’s quite obvious, and not surprisIBM launched its Boulder, Colo., ing, that he’s distinguished himself in the toxicology lab in 1977. “They recognized professional field at IBM,” Jutila said. “And their responsibility to do the right thing by that’s really great news: Both for him and for their employees, their customers and by the Montana State.” environment. And they did it long before it Reed, Brooks’ doctorate thesis advisor, was required by the government.” highlighted his work ethic, integrity and He joined IBM’s effort in 1982, after a sense of humor. Reed also noted that Brooks post-doctoral fellowship at Cornell. was scientifically alert enough to see a new But for Brooks, MSU is where his scienavenue of inquiry in his doctorate project tific quest started. With the proper push from on immune responses to the parasite causing MSU professors, Brooks says a student born trypanosomiasis, the tropical disease comin Texas and raised in Shreveport, La., was monly known as sleeping sickness, which is able to tap the pioneering spirit of science. fatal if untreated.

“It was sort of a Lewis and Clark thing for “Many people might have overlooked me,” he says. “I wanted to put a footprint this new area because it didn’t deal directly where nobody else’s had been. These days with what they were working on,” Reed said. that’s often not possible geographically; but “But Brad followed it up, and it resulted in a in science the frontiers are wide open.” good paper, published in a good journal and In particular, Brooks credited retired it got some attention.” professors Norman Reed and John Jutila.

Not that Brooks wants it, but with plans “Here are two extraordinary educators to focus his IBM Fellowship on promotwho took an amazing interest in a little guy ing STEM programs in rural America, this like me,” Brooks says. “Not only did they unsung hero might find himself earning spare no effort in teaching me the skills attention yet again. “STEM education is a and knowledge of a microbiologist and an massive equalizer because, no matter their immunologist, but they inspired all of their background, someone can take a STEM students to be scientists who would be com- education and have a multitude of job oppetitive contributors on a global basis.” portunities as well as a multifaceted career, says Brooks.”

Collegian | 24

Inventor Ted Larsen’s path to career prominence

BY M S U N E W S SE RV IC E

PHOTO BY MEL ANIE BURY SCHELL

Ted Larsen, ’55 ME, used to tell his kids that he ran away from home to join the Navy at 17, but that’s not quite true. Larsen was 17 when he joined the Navy, but with his parents’ blessing. He returned three years, two months and 19 days later, after serving in Korea and Japan—far from his Harlowton, Mont., roots. But his travels didn’t end there.

The son of a Judith Gap, Mont., rancher turned “city fellow,” Larsen’s life might have taken a different path if it weren’t for one man. Val Glynn, the Harlowton school superintendent, encouraged Larsen to finish high school first and then join the Navy.

Larsen did and, upon his return, Glynn gave him another piece of advice: enroll in Montana State College. Larsen listened and paved the way for his future.

When he arrived at MSC, Larsen studied physics for two years before “learning that this was neither my main field of interest, nor principal area of competence.”

So, he returned to the Navy for 14 months. Ted Larsen He then came back to MSC, switched his major to mechanical engineering, and never tions in Germany, France, Amsterdam and regretted it. the United Kingdom. It was at Honeywell “I’m technology oriented,” Larsen said. where his knack for noticing problems and “When I get involved with a product, I can finding solutions was put to good use, said always see what’s wrong with it and what Larsen, now the holder of more than 30 ought to be done to improve it. That seems patents and founder of several companies. to be an advantage I have.”

The latest one is Solar Concepts, LLC where Larsen still remembers being an MSC Larsen still works today at age 84. The student and driving to a ’Cat/Griz game in company is located in Golden Valley, Minn., a car he had adapted so it would burn both where Larsen lives with his wife, Dagmar. propane and gasoline.

Larsen has invented such things as solar When he graduated in 1955 at the top of panels that automatically self-clean, harvest his class, Larsen received his diploma from rain water, and are strong enough to survive Glynn himself, who had become MSC’s extreme wind and blasting sand. He develdean of students. oped a character processor for the Chinese “My timing was unbelievable as far as language. Some of his earlier inventions getting in and out of college,” Larsen said. involved detecting and suppressing explo“There was an extreme shortage of engineers sions with devices that involve ultraviolet throughout the nation at the end of World radiation. Those explosions might have War II.” been set off by agriculture dust in Iowa or Honeywell recruited him to work in the relate to off-shore oil drilling platforms. His United States and Europe, where he served inventions—tested in a gravel pit at Carver, as chief engineer for Honeywell’s operaSpring 2012 | 25

The son of a Judith Gap, Mont., rancher turned “city fellow,” Larsen’s life might have taken a different path if it weren’t for one man.

Val Glynn, the Harlowton school superintendent, encouraged Larsen to finish high school first and then join the Navy. Larsen did and, upon his return, Glynn gave him another piece of advice: enroll in Montana State College. Larsen listened and paved the way for his future.

Minn.—worked so well that he faced another challenge.

“When you have a device that will detect and suppress an explosion in less than 108 milliseconds, how do you demonstrate that you did, indeed, have an explosion?” Larsen said.

In spite of this challenge, Larsen developed a successful business around the invention, selling the business in the 1980s to focus on solar energy.

He has no plans to retire. He has filed a patent for an invention that will generate electricity without burning fossil fuels. Instead, it will generate electricity by combining the effects of wind, water and gravity.

“That will probably take quite a bit of the rest of my life,” he said.

Bobcat Spirtit

Show us your Bobcat spirit. We are looking for images of alumni and friends wearing

Photo Contes re ] [ your photo he

MSU and Bobcat gear. Submit your favorite photos of you and your family and friends decked out in favorite Bobcat duds. Winners will receive an MSU Bookstore gift certificate.

The deadline for entries is April 13, and winners will be announced April 27.

Submit photos to: Catgear@montana.edu Please be sure to include photographer’s name, address and phone as well as location of the photo.

Montana’s first active adult retirement community Conveniently located near MSU, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, and historic Downtown Bozeman Offers a continuum of lifestyle choices and amenities to fit various needs Maintenance free living options to make life easier and enjoyable Professionally designed detached homes for aged 55 and better Well-appointed independent living apartment homes Assisted living apartment accommodations Enjoy the Bozeman lifestyle and its unique community and recreational amenities

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Bozeman, MT

Everything you want.

More than you expect.

406.556.2008

The assisted living neighborhood with more to give.

www.HillcrestLivingBozeman.com

Collegian | 26

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

MSU EVENTS

Nominations are Open for 2012 Awards

Help us tell our story.

As a part of the 75th Anniversary planning, we are preparing a book to tell the story of the College of Nursing from 1965 through the present. Do you have a special memory of your time at MSU, a short story you are willing to share?

Please send your contributions (no more than 100 words) to: egnichols@montana.edu. Be sure to put “75th Anniversary” in the subject line.

It’s Class Reunion Time!

Classes of 1962, 1952 and 1942 The MSU Alumni Foundation is hosting Commencement Reunion for Montana State College classes of 1962, 1952 and 1942 on May 3-5 in Bozeman. Three days of fun, friendship and school spirit culminate with the presentation of classes at Commencement 2012.

The MSU Alumni Foundation is now accepting nominations for the Blue and Gold and Alumni Achievement awards.

The Blue and Gold Award is the most prestigious award granted by Montana State University. It honors an individual who has rendered great lifetime service or who has brought national or international distinction to MSU or to the state of Montana. The candidate must have achieved prominence through service to one or a combination of profession, family, country, world, university, philanthropy or humanity.

Recipients of the Blue and Gold Award are recommended by the MSU Alumni Foundation Board of Governors to the president of MSU. The Montana State University Alumni Achievement Award is given to alumni of MSU who have distinguished themselves through significant achievement in a specific field or endeavor. These efforts reflect greatly on MSU. Recipients of the Alumni Achievement Award will be selected by an MSU Alumni Foundation-appointed committee or by the MSU Alumni Foundation Board of Governors.

Nominations for both awards can be made by MSU alumni, faculty and staff, friends and students. If you would like to nominate someone who deserves to be honored, please download a nomination form from http://alumni. montana.edu/resources/awards.html.

The awards will be presented during Homecoming weekend in September.

Attendees of past reunions have said that this is a “Can’t miss event.” If you haven’t registered yet, act now, as the deadline is April 9.

Registration packets were mailed out in February. If you did not receive one, call the MSU Alumni Foundation office at 800-842-9028 immediately, or go to alumni.montana.edu/ events/commencement to register online.

Save the Date!

Homecoming ’12 is Sept. 16-22 Homecoming is a little earlier this year, so make sure you clear your calendar the third week of September.

Call your friends now and make plans to “come home” to MSU for Homecoming. Watch for a schedule of events in this summer’s Collegian.

Spring 2012 | 27

A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S

FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Alumni and Friends, Greetings from Montana State University. Did you know that 2012 is the inaugural year for the Alumni Foundation? Yes, as of January 1 the Montana State University Alumni Association and the Foundation have formally aligned to become one organization.

As you may know, the Alumni Association began with the foresight of a handful of alumni who formally established the organization in 1903. Over the years, as Alumni Association memberships multiplied, charitable contributions given to the benefit of the university increased as well. The management of these donated funds precipitated the creation of the Foundation in 1946. Now, as of January 1, upon the unanimous decisions of both institutional governing boards, the Alumni Association and the Foundation have formally aligned to become one organization, operating first and foremost, to advance the greatness of Montana State University.

As one team, we are in a stronger position to serve and grow our membership, and to provide the necessary financial support to ensure our university’s future strength and vitality. As stated by our founders, we are here “to promote the spirit of fellowship among the graduates of the college and in every way possible to advance the interests of their Alma Mater.”

If you too are inspired by these words, then we can think of no better way for you to reconnect and engage in the life of your campus than by having you here on campus where you can experience, once again, the energy and vigor of university life at MSU. We want to celebrate with you the accomplishments and endeavors of our students today as well as the research discoveries of our faculty.

If you haven’t been to campus recently, we invite you to visit us in 2012. Montana State University has a unique spirit, and it is our goal to cultivate that vim in such a way that it revitalizes longstanding relationships and generates new ones.

Consider attending a lecture or concert, a student project fair or a Bobcat athletic event. Come and visit the remodeled library, shop at the bookstore, take pictures of you and your family and friends at Spirit on Alumni Plaza or stop by the Towne’s Harvest veggie stand. There is always a host of activities going on around campus.

So email or call us to let us know when you’re coming to campus. Remember there is always a cup of coffee or a soft drink waiting at the Alumni Foundation Center. We love to see you and hear your stories. We look forward to many more opportunities throughout the year where we can extend President Cruzado’s recurrent and warm greeting, “Welcome to your university.”

Forever MSU,

Jaynee Drange Groseth,’73 ‘91 President MSU Alumni Association

Do you know a proud Bobcat at MSU? Encourage that student to join the MSU Student Alumni Association as a way to keep the Montana State tradition alive and well.

The MSU SAA is a student organization closely aligned with the Montana State University Alumni Foundation.

Student Alumni Association members sporting the traditional spirit sweater.

Collegian | 28

A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S

Ireland from Kelkeny to Killarney Sept. 14–22 From $1,999/person

2012 MSU Alumni Association Adventure and Educational Travel All prices listed are lead-in pricing per traveler; some trips include airfare from designated departure cities. For more information on specific trips, visit our Web site: alumni.montana. edu/resources/travel UPDATE: Due to a delayed launch of Oceania Cruises’ Riviera, the Mediterranean Treasures cruise scheduled for May 5-16 has been canceled, and the MSU Alumni Association group departure has been moved to the Jewels of the Mediterranean cruise (a similar sailing on the same ship) Oct. 13-24 (see below). If you were booked on the Mediterranean Treasures cruise, you should have been contacted by GoNext to make other arrangements.

Join MSU alumni, friends and other worldtravelers on one of these unique educational travel opportunities:

European Mosiac: Oceanic Cruise—Lisbon to Rome | June 16–27 From $3,999/ person double occupancy (including airfare) Uncover some of the cultural and historical riches of Europe along the coasts of Portugal, Morocco, Spain, France, Monaco and Italy while cruising aboard the new and regal Oceania Cruises’ Riviera.

Waterways of Russia: St. Petersburg to Moscow | Sept. 12–22 $3,895 plus airfare Enjoy time in St. Petersburg and Moscow and visit the legendary open-air museum of Kizhi Island, the 14th-century monastery of Goritsy, medieval Yaroslavl and 10th century Uglich, rustic remnants of Old Russia. Optional two-night Moscow post cruise. Charted M.S. Volga Dream.

The Emerald Isle is a land of constantly changing colors, magnificent and varied landscapes, rugged mountains, imposing valleys, lush green fields and deep blue lakes. Ireland is a country unlike anywhere else in the world—a land full of folklore and legend, where the genuine warmth, humor and friendliness of the local people will leave a lasting impression.

Village Life: Italian Lake District—Lake Como | Sept. 22–30 From $2,995/person Experience the true essence of life in northern Italy’s fabled Lake District for one full week in Cernobbio, a picturesque village overlooking Lake Como. Enjoy private boat cruises on Lake Como and Lake Maggiore and expert-guided excursions to Varenna, Bellagio, Villa del Balbianello, the Borromean Islands and Stresa. Enriching lectures and the exclusive VILLAGE FORUM™ with local residents bring you personal perspectives of the region’s modern life and cultural heritage.

Jewels of the Mediterranean and Greek Isles—Venice to Athens Oct. 13–24* From $3,299/person double occupancy (including airfare) This alluring voyage presents a magical blend of ancient Mediterranean ports and celebrated destinations as you cruise to Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and Monaco on the luxurious Riviera, Oceania Cruises’ newest ship. *The date of this trip changed from May to October.

Spring 2012 | 29

2013 Tours Asian Explorations—Hong Kong to Beijing Feb. 19–March 10 | From $5,999/person (including airfare from certain cities) Seventeen nights cruising to historic and scenic ports of call in China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. The fascinating island of Taipei, the history and heritage of Okinawa, breathtaking temples and shrines, Hiroshima sites and treasures, the excitement of Shanghai, magnificent Seoul, then wrapping up in the Forbidden City and infamous Tiananmen Square of Beijing. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip to explore Asia and its offerings. Oceania Cruises.

Tahitian Jewels | April –18 From $2,999/person (including airfare from certain cities) Gorgeous islands, white sand, pristine beaches and lush landscapes of the Tahitian Islands call for relaxation and adventure in a highly-sought-after travel destination. Rich scents, bright skies, jagged mountains and turquoise waters bring this tropical paradise to life on this beautiful and unique cruise in the South Pacific. Oceania Cruises.

Watch for more 2013 travel to be added to our calendar.

All trips are listed on the Cat Treks Web site—alumni.montana.edu/resources/ travel Or, call to request a brochure: 1-800-842-9028.

Class Notes Alumni Association members receive priority listing in Class Notes. If you would like to submit information, please send an e-mail to alumni@ montana.edu or drop a line to the MSU Alumni Association, P.O. Box 172940, Bozeman, MT 59717-2740.

1950s Miles Swan, ’50 AnSci, and wife, Doris (Nye) Swan, ’50 HmEc, Highwood, Mont., had four daughters and two grandchildren graduate and now have five grandchildren attending MSU. One plays basketball for the Bobcat women.

Russell Johnson, ’58 AgEd, Sidney, Mont., at 73 has survived colon, kidney and liver cancer. He works every day at R&G Ag Supply or goes fishing in the Yellowstone River or Fort Peck Lake.

1960s George Baker, ’62 GenStud, ’67 Sci&Tech, Puyallup, Wash., hopes to attend commencement in May, the 50th anniversary of his first degree.

Barbara (Holland) Boylan, ’62 SecEd, Bozeman, Mont., stays busy cleaning up a ranch in Big Timber after the 2011 floods and 2006 fire, which came from the Gallatin Forest.

Allen Reel, ’66 Bus, ’74 PhD, Beaverton, Ore., enjoys reading the Class Notes, especially for the class of ’66. 2011 included a trip to Nicaragua, working as a volunteer in four hogares, which are nursing homes for the aged poor; taking part in his sixth pilgrimage—this time to Egypt, Jordan and Israel/Palestine—and publishing his first book of poetry, The Art of Undersong.

Barbara (Taplin) Kyle, ’67 ElEd, Sacramento, Calif., is still loving being retired after 40 years as an elementary teacher. Barbara’s USTA and local tennis teams are so much fun but highly competitive. In the last four years they qualified for the

northern California sectionals and nationals in Arizona.

1970s John Stanturf, ’74 Agron, Athens, Ga., a research ecologist with the US Forest Service’s Center for Forest Disturbance Science, was awarded the Doctoris Honoris Causa by the Estonian University of Life Sciences (Eesti Maaulikool) in Tartu, Estonia.

The Council of the Estonian University of Life Sciences awarded the degree to Stanturf for “outstanding research results in disturbance ecology of forests and for long lasting co-operation with Eesti Maaulikool.”

For overall achievement, he received the Honor Award for Distinguished Science in 2006 from the Chief of the US Forest Service. Stanturf received a doctorate and Master of Science in forest soils from Cornell University.

Julie Bullard, ’75 HmEc, ’96 ElEd PhD, Dillon, Mont., has been recognized as the 2011 U.S. Professor of the Year for Montana, one of the most prestigious awards honoring undergraduate teaching. The award is presented by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Bullard is professor of education and director of Early Childhood Education at Montana Western, and author of Pearson’s Creating Environments for Learning: Birth to Age Eight.

Carol Syverson, ’75 Bus, Palo Alto, Calif., has just returned from six months in London to be near her two grandchildren. She also took classes at the London School of Fashion and visited Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy and France.

Steve Liebmann, ’76 SpCom, and Marianne (Cargill) Liebmann, ’75 SpCom, Bozeman, Mont., announce their son Andrew Liebmann, ’05 Phys M, ’10 PhD, Bozeman, Mont., was awarded his PhD in physics May 7, 2011.

His specialty is black holes. Steve and Marianne are the owners of Langohr’s Flowerland in Bozeman and have lived in Bozeman for 40 years. Steve is the current treasurer

for the Bobcat Track and Field Association, and Marianne is a past chairman of the Friends of KUSM– MontanaPBS.

communities to provide the highest quality education. Farr received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from MSU and has been the superintendent of Sidney Public Schools since 2009.

Paul Johannsen, ’82 AgBu, Whitefish, Mont., was named Prime Minister of the Whitefish Winter Carnival in January. He is the managing member of Great Northern Ventures, a real estate development company and the managing partner of National Parks Realty of Whitefish.

Richard Campbell, ’78 Engl, Reno, Nev., an Armstrong Teasdale partner and business litigator, has been named managing attorney of the firm’s Nevada offices effective January 1. He oversees lawyers based in the Reno and Las Vegas offices.

1980s Russell Crawford, ’81 Bus, and wife, Lora, moved from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in July to Vancouver, BC, Canada. Russ celebrated 30 years with KPMG LLP in August and continues to advise on international tax/corporate tax matters.

Bill Lang, ’81 Acctg, Newcastle, Wash., completed a six-month assignment in Afghanistan with the Defense Contract Audit Agency.

Bill was a civilian audit manager at the NATO base at Kandahar Airfield. Bill was very impressed with all the military personnel he met, and especially appreciated our brave soldiers after experiencing over 60 rocket attacks and a truck bomb during his tenure. Bill’s wife, Connie (Cullen) Lange, ’80 Bus, is a human resources policy manager at Starbucks Coffee Company, and recently passed her 15-year mark.

Daughter Allison is a junior at Seattle Preparatory School and enjoyed touring MSU last summer.

Daniel Farr, ’82 Bot, ’87 Educ M, ’04 PhD, Sidney, Mont., was named Montana’s Superintendent of the Year for 2012 during the Montana Conference of Education Leadership. The award honors successful Montana school district leaders who work with their entire learning

Collegian | 30

Mitch Gamache, ’84 CET, and wife, Amanda (McAuliffe) Gamache, ’84 Bus, Carlsbad, Calif., are proud of daughter, Erika, currently attending MSU. David Thomas, ’84 Educ, Great Falls, Mont., received a Fulbright Fellowship to work with the University of Pretoria in South Africa, has been there since July and won’t return home to Great Falls until the summer.

Tim Minnehan, ’85 ME, was mobilized as a Navy Reservist to USCENTCOM in Tampa, Fla. He recently deployed to Afghanistan as a strategic planner.

Jeff Sipes, ’86 ME, Lake Tapps, Wash., says staff members of the Alumni Foundation are some very hard working people, and he wants to say thanks for all of their efforts. Each one of them makes us feel special every time we come back to MSU.

Capt. Michael Holland ’87 CE, Gales Ferry, Conn., assumed command of Submarine Squadron 4 during a change of command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London’s Shepherd of the Sea Chapel in Groton, Conn., on Jan. 13.

CLASS N OT E S

Sandy Degner Crusch, ’87 Bus Admin, received the prestigious USDA Secretary’s Honor Award for her work in developing the Business Management Leaders Program, a nationwide USDA training program.

Gina (Icenoggle) Kerzman, ’89 AgBu, ’92 SpCom, Spokane, Wash., recently received the prestigious USDA Secretary’s Honor Award for her work in developing the Business Management Leaders Program, a nationwide USDA training program.

In addition to developing curriculum, Gina has served as an instructor at training sessions in Portland, Ore., and Greensboro, N.C. She travelled to Fort Worth, Texas, for her last training session in January.

Bridget (Findley) Crocker, ’98 Engl, Ventura, Calif., is featured in Travelers’ Tales’ The Best Women’s Travel Writing 2011: True Stories from Around the World. Crockers’ story “The Labyrinth” about surviving Costa Rican heartbreak and whitewater appears in the seventh collection of the annual best-selling, award winning series.

More information may be found at: www.bridgetcrocker.com.

Niki (Webster) Graham, ’99 HHD, Ronan, Mont., received a national award from the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, “Honoring the Red Ribbon,” for her work in HIV prevention. Graham, who is Salish, is the prevention programs director for the Center for Prevention and Wellness at Salish Kootenai College.

The award recognizes a single Native person each year.

Kara Mae Nelson, ’04 ElEd, Spokane, Wash., teaches at Logan Elementary, a Title I school. She initiated a non-bullying program, Be the Change (BTC), at Logan four years ago. The program has been very successful and now has 52 members who meet after school once a week. The program is designed to give the students an opportunity to develop leadership roles in the school and promote fairness and increased self-esteem.

2000s

1990s David Ramsey, ’93 Soc, Jacksonville, Fla., has been appointed by Diebold Incorporated to fill the role of vice president and chief information officer.

Joe Chrisman, ’94 Econ, Madison, Wis., was appointed nonpartisan State Auditor by the Wisconsin Legislature in October. Chrisman had served as interim State Auditor since June.

Rick Jordan, ’95 HHD, Eagle, Idaho, was recently named the Idaho Health Professional of the Year by the Idaho Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Jordan, who previously taught in the Bozeman schools and was head girls basketball coach, now resides in Boise, Idaho, and is a health and physical education teacher and varsity golf coach at Meridian High School.

Stuart Crane, ’97 ChE, and Becky (Bondurant) Crane, ’96 ElEd, Kalispell, Mont., are excited to be back in Montana to cheer on their Cats! Stuart recently took a job as an engineer with Applied Materials in Kalispell.

Brianna Kranz, ’04 Soc, Hastings, Minn., studied abroad in both Ghana and Costa Rica while attending MSU. In 2007 she received an M.A. in international development from the University of Bath in England.

Last summer she was a legal intern with the Witness and Expert Support Unit in Phnom Penh at the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia, a United Nations tribunal prosecuting perpetrators of the genocide in Cambodia.

Jim Hunt, ’03 HHD, Marietta, Ga., is in his eighth year of teaching elementary physical education in Marietta, Ga., and has received the Birney Butler Outstanding Educator award from the Georgia State Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The award recognizes educators who demonstrate professional excellence and commitment to the mission of PTA. Christopher Schaberg, ’03 Engl, Davis, Calif., earned his Ph.D. in English and Critical Theory from the University of California, Davis in 2009. In 2009 he also accepted a tenure track position at Loyola University New Orleans, where he is now assistant professor of contemporary literature and critical theory.

His first book, The Textual Life of Airports: Reading the Culture of Flight, was published by Continuum last December. Book may be found at: www.continuumbooks.com.

Belinda Joe, ’10 Educ, Ft. Thompson, S.D., is the culture and education specialist for the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. She supervises artisans and summer students at the Foundation’s Culture and Education Center. Joe holds master’s degrees in education from Montana State University and Northern State University. She strives to give community members and youth a voice through the Dakota language and traditional song and dance.

BIRT HS Rachel (Stapleton) Burner, ’93 PSci, Mequon, Wis., gave birth to twins Natalie Elizabeth and Benjamin William on Feb. 1, 2011. They join big sister, Sydney, 5.

Amy (Schruth) Jennings, ’96 Art, and Brian Jennings, Spokane, Wash., welcomed baby boy Coleman Hamilton Jennings on August 27.

Chad Lippert, ’99 Bus, and Chris Lippert, Billings, Mont., had their third child, Sally Cherie, on Sept.

12. They are proud to have another Bobcat in the house.

Trudy Weaver, ’05 HHD, has been named the Idaho Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Trudy, who teaches at O’Leary Middle School in Twin Falls, Idaho, was nominated by her peers and honored with the state award in October 2011.

Travis Lulay, ’06 Bus, Blaine, Wash., former MSU quarterback, led the BC Lions to victory in the CFL’s Grey Cup (Super Bowl of Canada) on Sunday November 28 over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23. He also received the Most Outstanding Player award for the game. See story on page 16.

Spring 2012 | 31

Betsy (Bondurant) Bertelsen, ’00 Nurs, and Kennet Bertelsen, Spokane, Wash., gave birth to their second daughter, Sela Louisa Bertelsen, on June 28. She joins her sister, Elsa, who is 4.

Clinton Paquin, ’02 CS, and Sarah Paquin, welcomed their first child, Cooper Bennett Paquin, on March 1, 2011. The family resides in Santa Monica, Calif.

I N M E MORY Marjorie (Beatty) Elerding, ’35 HmEc, Great Falls, Mont., died Aug. 27.

Louis Noffsinger, ’35 EE, Arlington, Va., died Sept. 13. continued on page 32

A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S

Alumni Calendar of Events

Future Bobcat star?

Bobcat Elvis Akpla holding Brockton Elliot, son of Justin, ’98 AgBus, and Celeste Elliot, ’99 Dietetics Known for his acrobatic catch that was widely regarded as the “catch of the year in all of college football,” Akpla was named to the FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star team.

To receive Montana State-ments send your email address to alumni@montana.edu.

April 6–7

37th Annual MSU American Indian Council Pow Wow

Bozeman

April 7

Native American Alumni Breakfast

Bozeman

April 12

Friends of MSU Library Distinctive Dialogues—Riverside CC

Bozeman

April 12–15 MSU Spring Rodeo and Rodeo Reunion

Bozeman

April 14

Football Spring Scrimmage

Bozeman

April 19

College of Business Circle of Excellence Women’s Conference

Bozeman

April 20

Triangle Classic Spring Football Banquet

Great Falls

April 21

Triangle Classic Spring Game

Great Falls

April 21

Broadway in Bozeman: Mama Mia

Bozeman

April 27

4th Annual Bobcat Fest on Main

Bozeman

May 3-5

Commencement Reunion Weekend: Classes of ’62, ’52 & ’42

Bozeman

May 5

Commencement

Bozeman

May 9-12

Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship

Bozeman

May 17

College of Nursing 75th Anniversary Event

Great Falls

May 17

Alumni Reception with President Cruzado

Great Falls

July 14

Museum of the Rockies Wine Classic

Bozeman

Watch Montana State-ments for updated calendar of events or check the Web at alumni.montana.edu.

I N M E MORY Continued from page 31

Tom Leedham,* ’37 Eng, city & state unknown, died Nov. 19.

Jean (Van Sice) Berry,* ’38 Bus, Oregon City, Ore., died June 7.

Josephine (Sheriff) Cope,* ’42 Bus, Missoula, Mont., died Oct. 14.

Robert Flint, ’43 Ex Nur, Lenox, Mass., died March 14.

Arthur Fry,* ’43 Chem, ’51 PhD, Fayetteville, Ark., died Aug. 23.

Joseph Gary, ’44 CE, ’49 PhD, Bozeman, Mont., died Nov. 15.

Irene (Smiley) Grad,* ’44 Sci&Tech, Ardsley, N.Y., died Aug. 27.

Donald O’Neill, ’44 EE, Orange, Calif., died May 28.

Marguerite (Kittmas) Russell, ’44 HmEc, Colorado Springs, Colo., died Sept. 1.

David Bossler, ’48 PreMed, Lakeside, Mont., died Aug. 20.

Elmer Gentry, ’48 Engin, Kaneohe, Hawaii, died Sept. 6.

John Krohne, ’48 ME, Seattle, Wash., died Aug. 20.

Dean Moore,* ’48 Engin, Seattle, Wash., died Aug. 23.

David Burgan,* ’58 PreMed, Polson, Mont., died Dec. 4.

Gary Tschache, ’71 Bus, Bozeman, Mont., died Sept. 3.

Herman Huisenga, ’51 Art, Billings, Mont., died Oct. 4.

James Dahl, ’58 CE, Meridian, Idaho, died Nov. 10.

John Zachrich, ’72 GenStud, Bryan, Ohio, died Aug. 19.

Dorothy (Hoffman) Gander,* ’52 HmEc, Albuquerque, N.M., died Dec. 14.

Mildred (Mergenthaler) Kazanis, ’58 Nurs, Spokane, Wash., died May 2.

Donald Chaffee, ’74 Math, Wibaux, Mont., died Aug. 24.

Alan Opp, ’52 Bus, Kalispell, Mont., died April 27.

Alexander Laport,* ’58 ME, Bend, Ore., died Sept. 19.

Theodore Anderson, ’53 PE, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., died Oct. 10.

James Huggins,* ’59 F&Ph, Olympia, Wash., died July 12.

Henrietta Carlson, ’53 Nurs, Helena, Mont., died Aug. 20.

Robert Wenzel, ’60 Arch, Quartz Hill, Calif., died May 14.

Shirley (Campbell) Fraser,* ’53 Nurs, Lake Forest, Calif., died Jan. 4.

Charles Bley, ’62 M&IE, Corvallis, Ore., died Aug. 15.

Jack Demko, ’54 AgEd, ’69 M, Glasgow, Mont., died June 13.

Duane Grob, ’54 Bus, Billings, Mont., died Feb. 16.

Peter Forsythe,* ’55 CE, El Paso, Texas, died Feb. 22, 2011.

Harriet (Schultz) Anderson,* ’57 Nurs, ’61 M, Great Falls, Mont., died Nov. 19.

William Phillips, ’64 GenStud, Polson, Mont., died Oct. 29.

Jerry Streeter, ’64 GenStud, Kingston, Idaho, died Oct. 13.

Bobbie McKissack,* ’66 ME, Port Townsend, Wash., died Oct. 23.

Julia (Reid) Regele, ’66 Nurs, San Marcos, Calif., died June 3.

Larry Mills,* ’67 Bus, Sloughhouse, Calif., died Sept. 17.

Kerry McMenus, ’74 Psy, Missoula, Mont., died July 26.

Neil Curry, ’92 ChE, ’99 CE M, Great Falls, Mont., died Oct. 5.

Eric Petticord, ’95 Arch, new Baltimore, Mich., died April 6, 2011.

Dr. Robert “Bob” Gough passed away September 14. In 2005, Gough was selected by the College of Agriculture to serve as the Associate Dean for Academic Programs until his retirement in 2010.

Throughout his career, Gough received numerous awards for his teaching abilities and Extension activities. A memorial scholarship has been established in Bob’s name.

If you have any questions, please contact the College of Agriculture development director, Darin Paine, at 406-994-7671 or email darin.paine@montana.edu.

Eunice (Beal) Valverde, ’57 GenStud, Chesapeake, Va., died Feb. 22, 2011.

Oskar Feichtinger, ’69 Math PhD, *Life member of the Alumni Association Orono, Maine, died Sept. 5.

Pehr Anderson, ’58 AnSci, Livingston, Mont., died Nov. 3.

Marcele Bohleen, ’70 SecEd, Worland, Wyo., died Sept. 4.

Collegian | 32

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