Montana Tech MNews Fall 2020 by Montana Tech

An Extraordinary Life: Dr. James Patterson

REFLECTING ON OUR PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

2020

STRONG AS EVER

Montana Technological University had much to celebrate in the year 2020.

1 2 3 4 5

Highest north campus retention rate in years at

81%.

Mechanical and Civil Engineering received official

ABET ACCREDITATION.

Montana Tech ranked as the Best Value Engineering School by Best Value Schools.

$$$

We were featured on CNBC Make It List for the “Top 50 Colleges that Pay Off the Most.”

We were named the

BEST SMALL COLLEGE

in Montana by Stacker.

6 7 8 9 10

Montana Tech ranked as one of the 2020 Best Universities for Veterans in Montana by Zippia.

RN to BSN program ranked among the top in the nation by

NURSING PROCESS.

NURSING SIMULATION CENTER

moving forward.

First-ever cross country teams find success with coach

ZACH KUGHN.

Cross country runner Becca Richtman placed first in all three regular-season meets this fall and was named the NAIA Women’s National Runner of the Week after breaking her school record.

11 12 13 14

Highlands College faculty and students built parts for

NASA.

A LETTER FROM THE CHANCELLOR

Over ten years ago, I wrote an article predicting what colleges and universities might expect students to be like in 2020. The article was precipitated by a comment made by my son after attending an event at a local fraternity. On the drive home, he commented, “I thought all the guys would have their own bedroom and bathroom.” I chuckled as I thought back to my own college experience and how times have changed. This year we celebrate 120 years of Montana

well lived. And you’ll get to know Louis Bender,

As the fall semester and 2020 draw to a close, it is

Technological University, and yes, things have

the first student to graduate from Montana

no secret that students today arrive on campus with

changed. I’m guessing the first 39 students

State School of Mines in 1903, who became the

increased opportunities and greater expectations.

who attended classes in Main Hall had no idea

Superintendent of the Anaconda Reduction

As a result, institutions are rethinking how we

what the Montana State School of Mines would

Works. Today, you find Montana Tech alumni as

serve, educate, and provide for our students. Our

become. Over this time, Montana Tech has grown

Presidents, CEOs, and in high levels of position

society’s consumer-oriented attitudes and mindset

from two degree programs to over 70 degrees,

throughout the world.

undoubtedly provide institutions new challenges,

science and applied science, bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs. The university now includes a north and south campus, 200 acres, 47 buildings, and over 500 faculty/staff, and enrollment has grown over 100 percent.

Faculty members Hilary Smith Risser and Glen T. Southergill named

When we opened our doors on September 11,

MONTANA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM TEACHING SCHOLARS.

first day of classes in Main Hall. Reports indicate

Kathryn Bozer named a 2020 Barry Goldwater Scholar.

Men’s and women’s golf recently completed their most successful fall season in the school’s history.

1900, 39 students sat on borrowed chairs for the the heating system was inadequate, and students shivered through the winter. The following year, the university installed a new steam heating system for $3,500. Flash forward to 2020: many classrooms are equipped with smart boards and modernized seating, and the recent estimate for a new steam heating plant is approximately $6,000,000. In this edition of MNews, we celebrate Montana Tech’s first 120 years and reflect back on those who contributed to the heritage and legacy of Montana Tech. Throughout the magazine, we have captured stories of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are leading extraordinary lives. You’ll hear about programs that differentiate Montana Tech from others, and we’ll explore some exciting happenings on campus. Over the past 120 years, we’ve seen many changes in students, from demographics and characteristics to desires and pursuits. You’ll learn about Isabel Little and Clara Clark, our first female graduates, and you’ll get to know McKenzee O’Neill, a Mining Engineering alum. You’ll meet the legendary “Doc” Patterson, a man who exemplifies a life filled with love and

MNews Fall 2020

but also abundant opportunities.

including certificates, two-year associate of In 1919, students were told to anticipate monthly expenses of $75. Students today are encouraged to plan for $1,500–1,700 a month. Over the years, Tech saw the formation of a Dancing Club, which peaked in the 1920s, the Glee Club, Copper Guard, and many others. As the university evolved, so did our extracurricular activities, from E-Day, which educated the surrounding communities about the type of education available at the School of Mines, to M-Days, the M-Club “smoker,” and participation in mining competitions and others. Prior to 1951, we offered degrees in five areas: mining, metallurgy, a metallurgy-mineral option, geology, and petroleum. Today we offer degrees in science, business, technology, engineering, math, and healthcare areas. While most students on Montana Tech’s campus are 18–22 years old, there is a growing trend across the country towards “non-traditional” students, with one of the most noticeable changing characteristics being age. one in five students are over 30, and nearly 40 percent of undergraduates are over 25. Most parents of today’s entering students graduated from college in the 1980s and 1990s. Our society and the college experience have changed dramatically during this time, and even more so with the current pandemic. Long gone are the days of going from building to building or standing in long lines in the gymnasium to add classes, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a typewriter on campus. Clearly, the rapid development of computers and technology has

Today, our students, the curriculum, the programs we provide, and the ways we interact with each other are significantly different. In his revered book, Campus Life: In Search of Community, Ernest Boyer discusses the importance of creating a caring community, “a place where the well-being of each member is sensitively supported and where service to others is encouraged.” Of course, these purposes remain our focus; however, advances in technology and increasing expectations, from students, parents and others, have changed the nature of how we do our work. One thing that hasn’t changed is our focus on education and the presence of hard work, commitment, and immense pride in what makes Montana Tech the institution that it has become today. I hope you enjoy this edition of MNews and continue to share your Oredigger pride and news with others. My best wishes to you during this holiday season and may these extend to 2021 and beyond.

Les P. Cook Chancellor Montana Technological University

changed the way we live, work, and learn.

MNews Fall 2020

DIGGING IN CONTENTS

FACULTY NAMED MUS TEACHING SCHOLARS

MARGIE PASCOE RECOGNIZED

COVER STORY:

SHORTS:

An Extraordinary Life / 16

Civil and Mechanical Engineering Programs Receive ABET Accreditation / 14

Dr. James “Doc” Patterson has seen much change over his 97 years, but his essential advice is simple: love your neighbor.

The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET has accredited Montana Technological

Fall 2020 www.mtech.edu

Montana Technological University Chancellor Les P. Cook

University’s bachelor’s degrees in Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

FEATURES: 120 Years of Oredigger History /6 Recognized as one of America’s top STEM

Julie Muretta is Montana’s first-ever student accepted to the national school on neutron and x-ray scattering.

universities, Montana Technological

Tech Says Final Goodbye / 23

University rang in the new decade

Long-time university employee Mark Taylor

celebrating its 120-year anniversary.

retires after 31 years with the physical plant.

The Women Miners of Montana Tech / 12

Looking Forward / 28

In the first full graduating class from the

Technological University.

Montana State School of Mines, Clara Clark and Isabel Little were the first two female graduates. Both received their education in

A look at what lies ahead for Montana

Jerry Schuyler: Remembering Your Roots / 30

Mining Engineering.

Roots are important to Jerry Schuyler ’77.

The Ongoing Success of Amos Taiswa / 20

who he is today. He’s especially proud of

Amos Taiswa, a Ph.D. student, will return to Africa after earning a doctoral degree in

His home and his family shaped him into his Montana Tech roots.

On the cover:

Materials Science and Engineering.

Dr. James “Doc” Patterson, a retired internal

Zach Kughn Leads Montana Tech’s Cross Country Teams in Inaugural Season / 24

and the dramatic changes he has seen over

Montana Tech head coach Zach Kughn is leading the university’s first-ever cross country teams.

Meet Julie Muretta / 15

MNews Fall 2020

medicine physician, looks back at his life the years.

CAMPUS NEWS

Publisher Amanda Badovinac Writer Stevie Croisant Editorial Board Stephanie Cook Stevie Croisant Lisa Sullivan Graphic Designer Brooke Benson Photographers Amanda Badovinac Stevie Croisant Brian Powers Tom Reget Anna Rogahn

Margie Pascoe, Director of International Services, received the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers Region II Gene Smith Award. The award is given to an individual member, institution, business, or agency to recognize 20 years or more of service and contributions. When asked about the award, Pascoe said she was speechless and that there were so many other deserving individuals. Pascoe has been a staple on the university campus since 1983. She’s impacted more students on the campus than anyone could ever count. Working in various roles over the years, she says she has landed in the “best job ever” as the Director of International Services. “I’m so fortunate. I get to work with wonderful people and students from all around the world and bring diversity to our campus.” Pascoe said she loves being able to bring students from around the world to Montana Tech and help them during their time at the university. Working at Montana Tech has been one of the most incredible things in her life. “I watch students walk through this amazing journey. When they graduate, it is such a wonderful day.” Montana Tech has meant a lot to Pascoe, but she has meant more to the university. Pascoe’s contributions to Montana Tech’s international students and the community are immeasurable.

The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education selected 14 faculty members and instructors for the Montana University System’s Teaching Scholars program. two Montana Tech faculty members, Hilary Smith Risser and Glen T. Southergill, received the honor. In its second year, the program recognizes faculty members who have made exemplary contributions to teaching and learning at their institutions.

WE APPRECIATE YOU

Now, more than ever, we appreciate and thank all the alumni and friends of Tech who have stepped forward to come to the aid of this campus and its students. Your support and investments make our successes possible.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS GIVE BACK

Montana Tech participated in the National Make A Difference Day by partnering with the Butte–Silver Bow Parks & Recreation Department to host a cleanup in the community. Make A Difference Day brings community service to a whole new level each year. On October 31, 2020, nearly 150 students, faculty, and staff cleaned in uptown Butte and across campus. The event is a great way for the campus to give back to the Butte community.

Montana Technological University is committed to equal opportunity in student admissions, financial assistance, and faculty and staff employment.

Montana Tech held a record-breaking giving event, DayOne, on September 10–11. This year’s event raised nearly $200,000 over two days from 726 donors. Montana Tech received a $750,000 gift from the Sunderland Foundation, which, along with other major and principal gifts, allows us to move forward with our nursing simulation center project, now in final design. The Nursing Department received funding from Dave and Sherry Lesar to fund a pediatric simulation mannequin. The Lesar family have been tremendous supporters and advocates for this project, and the center will be named the Lesar Family Nursing Simulation Center. Jerry Schuyler ’77 and Julie Schuyler committed to provide $80,000 a year in scholarship funding over the next five years, provided a like amount can be raised each year in matching gifts from alumni and friends. These scholarship funds will empower our recruiting team to provide aid to students of promise.

MNews is published twice a year by Montana Technological University.

contracted the mission that was flown by SpaceX. The Precision Machining Program faculty and students produced a one-handed tape dispenser and a seat track attachment from NASA’s blueprints and materials. The parts were then created on the Hass CNC machines in the Machine Shop at Highlands. Tolerances for the parts as specified by NASA were exceeded by the machining process. All measurements were checked and verified for each part on the shop’s CMM machine and were completed before the due date.

BOZER NAMED 2020 BARRY GOLDWATER SCHOLAR

Metallurgical and Materials Engineering student Kathryn Bozer was named a 2020 Barry Goldwater Scholar. Bozer grew up in North Liberty, Iowa, and graduated from Iowa City West High School. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering, followed by a career in the mining industry.

FACULTY AND STUDENTS CREATE PARTS FOR NASA Faculty and students from the Precision Machining Program at Highlands College provided parts that will be going to NASA’s International Space Station on SpaceX 21. SpaceX 21 is a commercial resupply service mission to the International Space Station that launched in November. NASA

Montana Resources and the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation will continue funding a program that provides full scholarships for Butte students to attend Montana Tech. The scholarship will be renamed to honor Rolin Erickson Mining ’85 for his significant achievements and contributions during his 16 years as President of Montana Resources.

MNews Fall 2020

Recognized as one of America’s top STEM universities, Montana Technological University rang in the new decade celebrating its 120-year anniversary.

120 YEARS of Oredigger History

This history attempts to offer a quick portrayal of the people and events that shaped this institution from the one-building College on the Hill that it started as to the nationally ranked school it is today.

Humble Beginnings When President Grover Cleveland signed the Enabling Act in 1889, Montana entered the Union and 100,000 acres of land were appropriated to the State to establish and maintain a school of mines. Four years later, the Montana legislative assembly formally passed the legislation that would allow for the start of what would become the Montana State School of Mines.

By Stevie Croisant

On September 11, 1900, the university opened its doors to 39 students. The school consisted of the School of Mines Building (known today as Main Hall) and offered two degree programs: Mining Engineering and Electrical Engineering. The city of Butte had already made a national name for itself as electrification had swept the nation. Twenty-five percent of the world’s copper came from Butte mines. As Butte grew, so did the School of Mines. In 1908, a second building was added. Known then as the Metallurgical Building (now the Mill Building), it housed both the metallurgical labs and the heating plant. By 1910, the gymnasium (now Engineering Hall) was completed.

MAY 1910

MARCH 17, 1893

Legislature approves $15,000 for construction of the Montana State School of Mines.

MNews Fall 2020

SEPT. 11, 1900

Montana State School of Mines opens with 39 students in one building (now Main Hall), offering Mining and Electrical Engineering degrees.

JUNE 5, 1903

First graduate, Louis V. Bender.

1900–1906

Nathan R. Leonard serves as the first president.

JUNE 10, 1904

First female graduates Clara Clarke and Isabel Little, both Mining Engineering (read more about their story on page 16).

1908

A second building, the Metallurgical Building (now the Mill Building), is added to campus.

1906–1918

Charles H. Bowman serves as the second president.

1910

The students of the Montana School of Mines constructed the Big M. The student body gathered to place the emblem of their school in “the most conspicuous place” they could. They made the letter 67 feet high and 75 feet wide. The next morning, the men hauled 600 pounds of lime through a bucket brigade and, with some aid from a hose borrowed from the local fire department, painted the rhyolite that made up the Big M. The letter could be seen from any point in Butte and was a focal point for visitors coming into the city by rail.

A third building, a gymnasium (now Engineering Hall), is added to campus.

1919-1921

C.H. Clapp serves as the college’s third president.

MNews Fall 2020

“

Income for the school came from student registration fees. In-state students paid $5 to register for school and out-of-state students

The college limited the number of civilian freshmen it accepted to ensure enough space for enrollees in the V-12 program. Over 100 sailors graduated in 1945 from the V-12 program with bachelor’s degrees.

paid $25. The first graduate from the institution was Louis V. Bender in 1903, who worked for

it accepted to ensure enough space for

the curriculum, worked. In 1957, prior to the

enrollees in the V-12 program. Over 100 sailors

name change, enrollment was at 303 students.

graduated in 1945 from the V-12 program with

By 1971, six years after the name change,

bachelor’s degrees. On October 31, 1945, the

enrollment had tripled to 998 students.

V-12 program at the School of Mines ended. At

Anaconda Reduction Works.

its end, 878 trainees were recorded coming to

Also aiding in the boost in enrollment was the

Butte for V-12. Ninety percent of enrollment at

addition of Alumni Coliseum in 1965. To raise

Mines was from naval personnel.

money, supporters sold stadium stickers for $1 and posters for $50.

The World War Era The beginning of the United States’ participation in the Great War in 1917 showed immediate ripple effects on the School of Mines.

and improving the safety and efficiency of

for a double room, $32 for a single, and $37.50

mining and its operations. By 1921, it had made

for a graduate suite. And in 1934, Leonard Field

over 1,000 qualitative determinations of rocks

was completed. The field contained a football

and minerals.

field, a baseball field, a running track, and two tennis courts.

Lean economic conditions characterized the

In 1918, the U.S. War Department created the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) as a way to quicken the training of new soldiers. Students would enlist and simultaneously

decades between the wars. Two presidents

Until 1950, Montana residents paid no tuition to

followed Clapp: George Craven (1921–1928)

attend the School of Mines. Nonresidents paid

and Francis Thompson (1928–1950). Few

$37.50 per semester.

changes or advances highlight Craven’s tenure.

take college courses. Fifty-eight students from the School of Mines entered SATC. However, the program was

Thompson, however, completed five building

The School of Mines was still feeling the effects

projects and led the Mines through both the

of the Great Depression when the nation was

Great Depression and World War II.

confronted with the larger task of mobilizing for a second world war. Mines grappled with the

short-lived on campus, only lasting from Oct

The gymnasium was remodeled in 1923 to add

one to Dec 9, 1918.

need to remain true to its mining heritage while

facilities for engineering and was renamed

graduates were enlisted in the armed services. At least two students are known to have pneumonia in France and Ernest Anderson of Anaconda, who was killed in action.

and Metallurgy. Created by President C. H. Clapp in 1919, the Bureau served two functions:

as State officials in Helena began to question whether or not the campus overlooking the Mining City was a viable institution. The Blue

the School of Mines had 346 men and three

Ribbon Commission, tasked with analyzing

On October 16, 1940, at least 150 students from

women registered. It was a golden time

post-secondary education in Montana,

the School of Mines registered for enlistment

for campus, but the golden years would be

recommended transferring Tech’s engineering

in World War II. The campus had no choice

followed by hardship.

programs to Montana State University, making

but to gear up for war as well. Courses on the chemistry of explosives and radio technology were both offered.

the campus a junior college, and turning over administrative responsibilities for the

The Challenge Years After the war, the college entered what would

Out of 51 graduates in 1942, eight became ensigns in the U.S. Naval Reserve, nine became

be known as the Challenge Years, as it almost closed its doors.

regulation-sized basketball court, bleachers for

However, the biggest impact the war had on

2,000 spectators, lockers, showers, a swimming

the school was in 1943 when the campus officially became a Naval College for the V-12 program. Over 100 colleges in the US added

today as the Science and Engineering Building).

V-12 training programs that helped supplement

In the 1930s, the President’s Residence, the

the force of commissioned officers for the

Library, Museum Building, and a residence hall

Navy in an accelerated learning program. The

were added to campus. Monthly room and

college limited the number of civilian freshmen

board rates for the new dormitory were $30

Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology to MSU. The outlook was bleak for Tech, as the State was trying to lessen taxpayer’s financial burden. The Commission gave Tech the notice of their recommendation just two days after

Throughout the 1950s–1970s, enrollment

commencement exercises in 1974. It was the

became volatile.

same year enrollment had dipped by 109 students in one academic year, and enrollment

A Physics–Petroleum Building and the SUB were

offices, trophy galleries, and storage (known

establishing the Montana State Bureau of Mines

Fred De Money started his presidency just

WWII veterans with funds for education.

joined the Canadian armed forces.

pool (added in 1927), two handball courts,

After the war, much attention was given to

developing the mineral resources of the State

funds were secured for a new gymnasium. At

Koch’s successor continued to grow campus.

Roosevelt had signed the GI Bill into law, providing

By 1948, enrollment had steadied. That fall,

Corporation (a defense manufacturer), and two

three stories high, the new gym contained a

died overseas—Stanley B. Carlisle ‘17 from

demands of war.

Engineers, ten worked for the Curtiss–Wright

facility, it would be another year before

entirely of GI students, as President Franklin D.

also building programs that would help with the

civilian engineers in the U.S. Army Corps of

the Engineering Building. Without a recreation

In 1918, more than 25 percent of Mines

After the war, enrollment consisted almost

figures were key to the Commission.

added to campus in the 1950s, but more work needed to be done to transform the opinion of the school. When President Edwin G. Koch

What saved Tech? The Commission wanted input from the citizens of Butte. The city

stepped in, he changed the name of the school

rallied behind the College on the Hill. On

to Montana College of Mineral Science and

September 25, 1974, the Commission

Technology, hoping to attract more students.

conducted a public hearing. De Money led

For a time, this name change, including the

nearly 100 supporters and a petition bearing

addition of social sciences and liberal arts to

23,000 signatures to keep the campus open to

1972–1985

MAY 12, 1962

1937

Campus received its first national accreditation for Mining, Metallurgical, and Geological Engineering.

FEBRUARY 28, 1921 The Montana State Bureau of Mines and Metallurgy is given funds and established.

MNews Fall 2020

1928–1950

Francis A. Thompson serves as the college’s fifth president. Most notably, he helped the college gain national recognition in the minerals industry.

JUNE 25, 1941

At 9 am, the statue of Marcus Daly was moved from its original location on Main and Gagnon Streets to its current place on campus.

1951–1956

Robert Van Pelt serves as the college’s sixth president.

1949

Montana Tech’s first petroleum engineers graduate.

1957–1971

Edwin G. Koch serves as the college’s seventh president.

Governor Tim Babcock “threw the switch” illuminating the M on a permanent nightly basis. The Montana School of Mines Alumni Association and the Copper Guards headed this project with assistance from the Anaconda Company. The Butte City Council agreed to pay half of the electricity bill to light the M at this time. Governor Babcock noted that “such a project required a tremendous school and community effort….This great spirit of cooperation exemplifies your institution.”

1965

The school was renamed the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology, moving beyond purely engineering and applied sciences, adding social science and liberal arts options. Alumni Coliseum opens on campus.

Fred De Money serves as the college’s eighth president. His greatest challenge was when the Blue Ribbon Commission recommended transferring engineering programs to Montana State University and making the College into a junior college. President De Money provided the leadership necessary to successfully defend the College.

1972

Environmental Engineering was added to the curriculum.

1994

The University became affiliated with the University of Montana, with a reorganization of the Montana University System. The name was changed to Montana Tech of the University of Montana. The Butte Vocational-Technical Center was put under Montana Tech administration as the College of Technology.

1986–1998

Lindsay E. Norman serves as the ninth president for the college.

JULY 1, 1998–2011

Frank Gilmore serves as the tenth executive officer (Chancellor) of Montana Tech.

AUGUST 30, 1999

SEPTEMBER 21, 1999

The Centennial Hall dorm opens on campus.

Montana Tech launches a “Jump Start Program,” offering core and introductory classes to juniors and seniors in local high schools, and adds two new programs, Nursing and Network Technology.

MAY 2, 2000

Montana Tech receives the largest single donation in its history, $2 million, from Marie Margaret Moebus.

2000

The first RN class is admitted to Montana Tech.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2000

Montana Tech holds its first annual Career Fair.

MARCH 5, 2002

Montana Tech begins a degree program in collaboration with UM-Western to offer students secondary teaching degrees in math and science.

MNews Fall 2020

the public hearing. It was decided Tech would

basketball team failed to bank a single win in

remain open. Not only did De Money provide

four seasons in a ten-year span. However, the

the leadership to stop that decision from

women’s teams fared better. The women’s

coming to fruition, but he also grew campus

volleyball team won three straight Frontier

exponentially. At his retirement in 1985,

Conference volleyball titles and two District

enrollment was at 2,151 students.

12 titles in a row. The women’s basketball team was two points short of winning the district playoff game in 1983.

His leadership also included adding seven

In 1994, another name change signified a

In this aim, the Nursing department began

development for the university. In 1994, the

offering full bachelor’s degrees in 2015.

new name became Montana Tech of the

Mechanical Engineering was added a year

University of Montana, signifying its new

later. The Montana Board of Regents approved

affiliation. Additionally, Butte Vocational-

the addition of a Materials Science doctorate

Technical Center came under the administrative

program in 2013.

Today Today, Chancellor Les Cook serves as the 12th leader for Montana Tech. He’s guiding a college with many distinctions: Tech is number one for Best Value Engineering Schools in the Nation, BSN Nursing in Montana, Best Value College

umbrella of Tech.

in Montana, and Best University for Advancing America’s Economy. Tech also ranks high as a

Frank Gilmore, the college’s tenth chancellor,

leading STEM university and a top university

spearheaded positive change for the campus

for earning potential. Over 90 percent of Tech

when he took over in 1998. He led the first

students who apply to professional schools

which supplemented faculty salaries, increased

Certainly, the Challenge Years required

Comprehensive Capital Campaign undertaken

have been accepted. Ninety-two percent of

scholarships, updated laboratory equipment,

drastic change for the campus. The college

at Tech. Campus physical facilities improved

graduating seniors are placed in a job in their

and added new degree options.

had reformed its curriculum and planned for

with the addition of two new buildings,

field or graduate school after graduation from

dramatic growth. Tech was forced to reshape

the renovation of four buildings, and the

Tech. The university also recently released its

its plans and values, leading the way to a

construction of a new greenhouse and the

highest retention rate in recorded history at

bright future.

Montana Tech Arch. Academic programs were

80 percent, in the midst of a pandemic. Overall

expanded to include more opportunities for

enrollment for this fall was 2,329 students.

new buildings to campus—including the Mining–Geology Building, the Library, and

The Impact of Change

the HPER—and launching the Challenge Plan,

Safety, and Society and Technology degree

With increased enrollment came changes for the student body. In the early 1980s, in-state

programs. In the 1980s, undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Business were

tuition was $394.75, and non-residents paid

added, and an additional five new graduate

$819. Room and board increased to $1,135 per

degrees were too: Petroleum Engineering,

semester. From 1951 to 1984, Tech awarded

Engineering Science, Geophysical Engineering,

2,361 undergraduate degrees, the majority

Geochemistry, and Industrial Hygiene.

being in Mining and Petroleum Engineering. It seemed the Challenge Years also applied The college added several new undergraduate

to Tech’s sporting teams. The football team

degree programs. In the 1960-70s, Tech added

had a 44-game losing streak. After 1953,

Engineering Sciences, Geophysical Engineering,

the Orediggers did not win another game

Mathematics, Chemistry, Environmental

until beating Northern Montana 33–7 in

Engineering, English, History, Occupational

1962. Basketball also struggled. The men’s

“

On October 23, 1987, the front page of the Montana Standard read, “Tech tops: National survey rates it best small science school.” In a survey done by the U.S. News & World Report, Tech was chosen by college presidents as the top science and technology school in the country among smaller colleges. Listed along with Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

State University, Tech had proven it had made a name for itself. According to the

The college had reformed its curriculum and planned for dramatic growth. Tech was forced to reshape its plans and values, leading the way to a bright future.

engineering. Enrollment increased from 2,230

article, “Montana Tech was [the judges’] first choice largely because of a superb program in minerals engineering.” No other Montana school made the list.

The university also launched its inaugural group

to 2,864, and the land size of campus more

of cross country athletes, and men’s golf won

than doubled.

the Frontier Conference season title for the

In 2010, the Natural Resources Building

Several new buildings were added to campus.

opened. It houses the thriving Montana Bureau

In 2012, the Frank and Ann Gilmore University

of Mines and Geology and the school’s largest

Relations Center (URC) was the first building

department, Petroleum Engineering.

on campus to be funded entirely with private donations. In 2016, the Natural Resources

the University of Alabama, Rochester Institute of Technology, and California Polytechnical

The Challenge Years required drastic change for the campus.

study in the health sciences as well as software

Research Center was completed. A year later,

The Latest Decade

construction for the Student Success Center

After 2010, Montana Tech had reestablished

first time. The university’s annual giving day, DayOne, was record-breaking, raising nearly $200,000 over two days from 726 donors. If Tech has proved anything in its 120-year history, it’s that it’s not ever going to let anything get in the way of its tradition of excellence.

(SSC) began.

its presence as a leading STEM school. Under new leadership, Tech committed to connecting focused students to a network of people, opportunities, and experiences that empower them to change the world.

After nearly a quarter-century, the most recent name change for the college took place in 2018. Now officially Montana Technological University, the name change signified an era of independence for the college.

The headline certainly showed that things had turned around for Tech.

2019

JANUARY 13, 2010

OCTOBER 15, 2003

The Montana Tech arch is formally dedicated, with Bob and Pauline Poore and Chancellor Frank and Ann Gilmore present.

MNews Fall 2020

NOVEMBER 29, 2006

MAY 1, 2004

Montana Tech holds its firstever outdoor commencement ceremony after 104 years.

Montana Tech announces the undertaking of a $1.8 million fundraising campaign to build an alumni center.

JANUARY 26, 2007

Montana Tech students undertake a project that would ensure the safety and longevity of the nearly 100-year-old “M” on Big Butte.

MAY 17, 2007

Montana Tech begins construction on “Project Dreams,” a $600,000 renovation at the HPER.

1957–1971

Edwin G. Koch serves as the college’s seventh president.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2007

Montana Tech breaks ground on its $17.6 million Natural Resources Building.

FEBRUARY 6, 2008

ARCO gives 57 acres to Montana Tech to expand its campus, effectively doubling the size of Tech.

Montana Tech’s new Natural Resources Building opens its doors and becomes the home for the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology and the Petroleum Engineering department.

OCTOBER 1, 2009

Montana Tech formally announces plans to renovate the HPER facility at a cost of $3 million.

2014

Montana Tech’s first PhD students begin their studies.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2010

Enrollment records are broken at Montana Tech as the number of students increases to 2,864 (6% increase from 2009).

2012

2011–2019

Donald M. Blackletter serves as the eleventh leader for Montana Tech.

Nursing department moves from south campus to the north campus into the renovated Health Science Building. The Frank and Ann Gilmore University Relations Center opens.

2017

2016

The Natural Resource Research Center (NRRC) opens.

Montana Tech receives the designation as the Montana University System’s only special focus university.

2018

Montana State Board of Nursing approves a 4-year BSN. The Montana Board of Regents approve a new name change for Montana Tech, to Montana Technological University.

On July 1, 2019, Dr. Les Cook takes over the reins of the university as Chancellor. The Student Success Center for Living and Learning opens. The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology celebrates 100 years, and Upward Bound celebrates 25 years of impact at Tech. Montana Tech and the Montana Tech Foundation surpassed their $40 million goal for their campaign, Ordinary Beginnings, Extraordinary Lives. This campaign transformed campus through the addition of the Natural Resource Research Center and Student Success Center and resulted in $12 million in new scholarships, including $7.6 million in new endowed scholarships, $2 million in investments in our faculty, and $5 million in our programs.

2020

Tech adds cross country as a sport, and hires head coach Zach Kughn (read more on page 26). On September 11, Montana Tech launches new brand.

MNews Fall 2020

her success in the industry as she “in several

us to the mine. That’s what sealed the deal

instances, has found valuable ore in neighboring

for me. We went down there and I just felt,”

states where it was not known to exist.”

she paused. She took a breath and then her demeanor changed. She got serious. “It gave

Clark married Herbert J. Reese of Livingston

me energy, and I felt so comfortable.”

in 1907. It’s assumed that Clark gave up most of her work after marriage. She had three

O’Neill is currently an underground mine

daughters: Esther Elizabeth, Grace Marian, and

engineer for Nevada Gold Mines in Elko, Nev.

Ruby Louise. Clark passed away in Los Angeles, California in October 1959.

She understands being a female in the industry comes with its own set of challenges. But like

Clark and Little are pioneers for many

Little and Clark, she hasn’t let that bother her.

female students at Montana Tech. I was able to speak to one student who followed in

The Women Miners of Montana Tech By Stevie Croisant

According to O’Neill, the best quality she can

their footsteps: recent Mining Engineering

have as a mining engineer is “not taking sh*t

graduate McKenzee O’Neill ’18.

from anybody.” She then added, “Sorry for the

“

It’s comforting to know that there’s somebody who is always going to understand. A lot of that has to do with us being the

O’Neill (right) is pictured with her classmate Johnniann Thompson (left) at the Order of the Engineer Ceremony.

only two women in our class and going through that together.

Now we’re going through our careers together. — Mining Engineering graduate McKenzee O’Neill ’18

“Girls Graduate School of Mines” headlined the Butte Miner newspaper in all capital letters on July 10, 1904. The news was a big deal for its time. In the first full graduating class from the Montana

The attitude of the time didn’t necessarily encourage young women to pursue an education in mining. Even C.H. Clapp, the college’s third president, stated in a letter to the father of a prospective female student that he did “not believe that under the present conditions, a woman would [find mining] a very satisfactory field.”

first two female graduates. Both received their education in mining engineering.

Nevertheless, Little and Clark both made names for themselves.

Isabel Little Little, who was described as “exceptionally bright” and always “at the top of her class,” returned to her hometown on the East Coast.

“For the past four years they have inhaled the

Unfortunately, not much else is known about

fumes of the chemicals, stood over the redhot

her. She married a fellow Tech graduate,

fires, and gone down the mines of Butte…

Leon Clark Stevenson, from the class of 1905.

with the young men of their class,” the article

Records found at the Butte Archive place Little

recounts. It failed to mention that they did all of

and her husband in Sumpter, Ore. while he

this while in dresses.

worked as a mining engineer. However, the death notices of both Little, who passed on

Little and Clark are standouts for their

November 21, 1936, and her husband place

generation. After they graduated, The School

them in Virginia. They were survived by one

of Mines didn’t have another female student

daughter and one son.

enroll until the fall of 1911.

More, though not much, is known about Clark.

McKenzee O’Neill

She was a Butte native (though not related to

O’Neill and I decided to chat over Zoom.

MNews Fall 2020

her to elaborate.

When her camera turned on, I felt like I was

“If I wasn’t out there giving [the miners] a hard

Her father was in the mining industry, which

seeing what O’Neill would later describe as

time and BS’ing with them, I think that’s when

most likely spurred her interest in the field.

“the Butte Museum.” She donned a School of

When the School of Mines opened, she was the

Mines hat and her bedroom wall displayed a

first student registered.

copper piece of art reading “Home” next to a

After graduation, Clark worked as a consulting engineer and was able to travel and speak at

issues would start to arise.” She exchanged a few more loving stories about the miners she works with—it’s clear they’re a second family to her. I then read her a few

“I’m sixth-generation Butte,” O’Neill stated

excerpts on Clark and Little. I asked her if there

different events. Most notably, the Anaconda

proudly. Both of her grandfathers worked for

was ever a time when she felt empowered by

Standard reported that she addressed a

the Anaconda Company. Like Clark, O’Neill has

other women in the industry.

crowded room at the 1905 American Mining

mining in her blood.

Congress in El Paso. The article pointed out an When O’Neill first came to Tech, she knew

She was introduced as the only “woman mining

she wanted to be an engineer. When the

engineer in the West.” Not wanting to exclude

Engineering department held an open house,

the other women in the industry, she reminded

O’Neill decided to attend the mining, metallurgy,

the room about Little and then went on to

and electrical engineering presentations.

say, “Another young woman is following the profession of a mining engineer who graduated from the school at Golden, Colo.” Clark was a “hit with the veteran miners from all parts of the United States,” during the mining convention. Newspapers lovingly referred to her as the “Queen of the Mountains” afterward.

Mining Engineering graduate McKenzee O’Neill, shown next to a mucker.

Without hesitation, O’Neill mentioned her

empowering act of feminism Clark displayed.

A Butte Miner article from 1907 highlights

swearing, but that’s totally what it is.” I asked

W.A. Clark, one of Butte’s famous Copper Kings).

silhouette of a headframe.

State School of Mines, Miss Clara Clark and Miss Isabel Little, as they’re referred to, were the

Clara Clark

classmate Johnniann Thompson ’18. “When you find other women in the industry, you “We’re constantly lifting each other up,” she said. She stopped and wiped tears away. “It’s comforting to know that there’s somebody who is always going to understand. A lot of that has

Mining won her over.

to do with us being the only two women in our class and going through that together. Now

“They showed us a video of blasting, and, of

we’re going through our careers together.”

latch onto each other. We can’t be tearing each other down. We have to be supportive of each other because we’re all each other has. We’re working toward the same goals, toward the same management positions with all these men. It’s great to be surrounded by women who are so smart and supportive.”

course, that gets everybody’s attention. I’m like, ‘How can I do that?’” she recounted, with excited energy. I could instantly feel her

O’Neill has found that same support from other women in the industry too.

I can’t help but think that Clark and Little would be proud of O’Neill.

light up as she continued. “Then they took MNews Fall 2020

CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAMS RECEIVE ABET ACCREDITATION

JULIE MURETTA IS MONTANA’S FIRST-EVER STUDENT ACCEPTED TO NATIONAL SCHOOL ON NEUTRON AND X-RAY SCATTERING

By Stevie Croisant

The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET has accredited Montana Technological University’s bachelor’s degrees in Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

However, several years ago, the administration

accreditation “ensures that our program

realized the need to transition the Civil and

meets the Civil Engineering profession’s quality

Mechanical Engineering programs. The decision

standards that we prepare our graduates for.”

According to ABET’s website, ABET accreditation

employees. The accreditation process ensured

engineering program on campus, features

the coursework for these programs prepares

strong industry collaborations and incorporates

students for successful careers.

ensures that Tech’s engineering programs meet standards to produce graduates ready

By Stevie Croisant

was made to break the General Engineering program into two separate degrees, mainly

“This 18-month endeavor was truly a team

for job placement. Trudnowski explained that

effort with deep roots,” added Kukay, who

General Engineering programs are going away

noted that many faculty members—both

as engineering employers are looking for

current and retired—helped make this possible.

specialized employees. ABET noted that Tech’s Civil Engineering Employers are also looking for well-trained

to enter critical technical fields leading the way

Meet Julie.

character traits that I consider to be essential in

Julie also enjoyed that the lecturers put

a successful, independent researcher.”

noticeable effort into their virtual presentations.

industry professionals into the curriculum.

She’s a Ph.D. candidate in the Materials Science

COVID-19 made this year’s NX School quite

“Some of the lecturers took a camera into their

Students are prepared to graduate with

department here at Montana Tech.

different than years past, as students were

beamline and showed us how they prepared

unable to travel to and tour the two hosting

the sample and how they inserted it into the

program, which is the fastest-growing

in innovation and emerging technologies and

“All our programs tend to focus on educating

anticipating the public’s welfare and safety needs.

a student to go out and immediately make

She’s also the first Montana student to ever be

laboratories. However, Julie still found herself

beamline,” said Julie, which was incredibly

a positive impact in the industry,” said

accepted into the National School on Neutron

immersed in an incredible learning opportunity.

helpful for her to watch.

“ABET accreditation is the gold standard in engineering accreditation,” said Dan Trudnowski,

Trudnowski, “and the industry doesn’t want to spend their time training.”

Dean of the School of Mines & Engineering at Montana Tech. “This is the culmination of four

Current students, prospective students, and

years of program development and hard work by

alumni all benefit from this accreditation.

the faculty. Both programs are now fully staffed

Accreditation is retroactive, so Civil or

with highly qualified faculty and have large and

Mechanical Engineering graduates from the

growing enrollments.”

past year now have accredited degrees in those programs.

Why is accreditation important? “In order to become a professional licensed engineer, the first thing you have to have is an accredited degree,” Trudnowski explained. Prior to the accreditation of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at Tech, students in those programs received two degrees on their transcript—the Civil or Mechanical Engineering bachelor’s degree and the General Engineering

As Chancellor Les Cook added, “Receiving ABET accreditation confirms the incredible value of a Montana Tech degree.” The accreditation process took one full year. ABET reviewed labs and student work, interviewed faculty and students, and made sure classes had the right level of depth.

industry connections and experience.

Mechanical Engineering “With ABET accreditation, Mechanical Engineering is now Montana Tech’s largest accredited engineering program,” said Jack Skinner, head of the Mechanical Engineering department at Montana Tech. “We are excited for the future of Mechanical Engineering at Montana Tech as we grow the industry and professional collaborations to ensure strong recruiting pipelines both into Montana Tech for new students and out of the university into meaningful and rewarding careers for new Oredigger graduates.” ABET noted particular strengths in Mechanical Engineering faculty with extensive industrial experience and high-quality, top-tier research labs. Students are prepared to succeed in professional practice and have unique pathways to graduate programs.

degree, which was accredited. This ensured

Civil Engineering

graduates had an accredited degree when

Brian Kukay, head of the Civil Engineering

applying for professional licensing.

program at Montana Tech, added that ABET

and X-Ray Scattering (NX School), hosted annually by the Argonne National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This past June, Julie participated in the prestigious NX School’s two-week virtual summer program that educates graduate students on the use of major neutron and x-ray facilities. At Tech, Julie is working closely with her advisor, Dr. Dario Prieto in the Mechanical Engineering

“

Julie’s biggest takeaway from this experience was how important it is for fellow Montana scientists to take part in the NX School.

Julie’s biggest takeaway from this experience was how important it is for fellow Montana scientists to take part in the NX School. “I want more students from Montana to attend this program,” she said. “We got to interact with people who are leading scientists in their field. As a grad student, you don’t get a chance to do that very often.”

department, researching charcoal absorbents

Part of Julie’s application for the program

that may remove toxic chemicals from the

promised she would do her best to disseminate

environment. She applied to the NX School because she wanted to learn more about the techniques covered in the program, hoping she

For two weeks, Julie heard from leading scientists who gave lectures while moderators

could integrate them into her research.

fielded questions from participants.

Prieto was one of three faculty members who

“That was one benefit to doing it online,” she

sent in letters of recommendation for Julie’s application to the NX School. “She is the perfect student for this opportunity,”

said. Being able to interact with other students and moderators while the lecture was taking

the information she learned to other Montana scientists. While COVID has certainly changed her plans, she’s preparing new ways to share what she learned. “Stay tuned,” she said. “There will be some virtual talks students can attend.”

place helped make this year’s school its own unique experience for her.

said Prieto. “Julie encompasses many of the

MNews Fall 2020

Dr. James “Doc” Patterson has seen much change over his 97 years, but his essential advice is simple: love your neighbor. “If you love your neighbor, you’ll take care of them, take care of each other,” he says. “You can disagree with them, of course. But you can still love them.” Caring, service, and giving have been the key components of Doc’s life. Doc was born in Woodward, Oklahoma in 1923. His father was a horse and buggy doctor who had served as a battalion surgeon in World War I, and later started a hospital in Duncan, Oklahoma. Doc’s sister married a doctor too, and it was expected that Doc would go into the profession. He went to university at Hobart in New York, but was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II his freshman year. Doc went back home, where he had one more year of undergraduate school, and then medical school the Army paid for, at the University of Oklahoma, but when he graduated in 1947, the war was over. Doc interned in San Diego, where he met and married his soulmate, Meryl, a third-generation Californian who was always up for new experiences and adventures. Meryl had worked for the U.S. Weather Bureau during WWII, and had a degree in social work from the University of California Berkeley. In 1948 the U.S. Army badly needed doctors to work in Japan, so Doc

An Extraordinary Life

DR. JAMES PATTERSON

volunteered to go. “I’d gotten my medical school through them,” he says, “So I felt an obligation to serve.” After waiting and waiting to hear if he was accepted, he got the call that he and Meryl needed to be in Washington, DC the next night, so the Secretary of Defense could swear him in as one of the first recruits, and as a First Lieutenant. Doc made his first trip on an airplane that night.

By Susan Barth

Dr. James Patterson, joined by Michael Barth and Janet Coe, holds a plaque honoring the nurses who were the foundation of his practice over the years in Butte.

MNews Fall 2020

“

The word philanthropy comes from love, and that is the core to Doc’s life: loving others as yourself, and supporting others.

Dr. Patterson demonstrates his bedside manner in the nursing simulation lab, joined by Janet Coe, interim director of nursing.

Doc was stationed in Tokyo, and after three months Meryl joined

Doc settled in at the Murray Clinic, where he not only practiced in the

of the instructors, the small size, and the

him there. It was the beginning of their passion for Japanese culture,

office, but made house calls, driving all around Butte to find patients, as

purposefulness of our students. “When you

gardening, and artifacts. Meryl got a degree in Japanese flower

there was no ambulance service at that time. His black traveling doctor’s

go to Tech, you know why you’re going there.”

arranging, and their house in Butte is still a showplace of beautiful

bag is at the Butte Archives. Medicine changed a great deal during Doc’s

Asian art and artifacts acquired during their travels, featuring a

tenure: he went from early X-ray machines that buzzed and sparked to

Doc is especially passionate about supporting

Japanese-inspired garden.

CT scans. He remembers sitting on the bed of a patient who had a heart

the nursing program at Tech, and has

attack. This was before CPR, and he could only be with the patient as he

participated in a session at the Tech nursing

But as before, war interrupted. The Korean war broke out in 1950, and

died. He saw the beginning of penicillin and other antibiotics, vaccines,

simulation center, offering students his

Doc was sent on a train and a freighter to Busan, Korea. Thus began a

chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and CPR. Doc established the first

guidance and advice. As a doctor, he knows

harrowing eight months. The sick and wounded would arrive by train

coronary care unit at St. James Hospital.

how critical nurses are to healthcare. He

around midnight every night, and the doctors would work until the

believes they’re truly the frontline workers

next afternoon, doing surgery and stabilizing patients enough that

It was always very important to Doc to sit with his patients—he sees a

in medicine, especially in rural areas. He and

they could be moved to Japan. It was very primitive, a 700-bed hospital

difference between being a doctor and a physician. “A doctor treats the

Meryl set up a Tech scholarship in the name of

based in a converted school, with no X-ray machines, no ambulances,

disease, and the physician treats both the patient and the disease,” he

nurses who were important in his practice, and

and patients laid out on sawhorses. Meryl stayed in Japan and worked

says. “I think I was a physician.” Though treatments changed dramatically

in his life. They also created a charitable trust,

with the Red Cross, helping UN soldiers and their families. After eight

over the years, being a good physician was most important to him.

and Doc has given away a good portion of his

months, Doc and several other doctors contracted hepatitis, and he was released from service.

income to support others. Doc retired from medicine in 1984, and he and Meryl traveled the world as much as they could, often by long and elaborate cruises. They also

Above all, Doc believes that we need to be

Doc went back to internal medicine and started a residency in Los

continued to support the community of Butte. They are members of the

grateful, and willing to share what we have. The

Angeles, at the VA hospital. He was there for three years, ending as

St. John’s Episcopal community, and have always supported concerts and

word philanthropy comes from love, and that is

Chief Resident. Their children were born there: Leslie in 1952 and

the Butte Symphony. Meryl was a founding member of the Arts Chateau,

the core to Doc’s life: loving others as yourself,

Jimmy in 1954. The family moved to San Diego, where Doc worked as a

and was membership chairman of the Community Concert Association

and supporting others. “Also, be willing to

for many years. When asked his favorite thing about Butte, Doc answered

share your knowledge and experiences,” Doc

quickly: “The people. They accept you as you are. You can join anything,

says, “and make sure to travel. There’s so much

but if you don’t, that’s okay too. It’s a wonderful place.”

beauty in the world.”

Doc has given much of his support over the years to Montana Tech.

There’s also beauty in a life well lived, and filled

He has seen Tech grow dramatically and appreciates the good effects

with love.

rheumatologist. But in 1957, he decided he wanted to make more of a difference and go back to being a general internist. He interviewed for two opportunities: in the Black Hills, South Dakota, and in Butte. We were lucky enough to capture his interest. “Butte was in its heyday then,” he says. “It was August, and green everywhere, and we stayed at the Finlen Hotel, where there was an entertainer from New York playing in the ballroom…it was impressive.”

Tech has had not only on current students but what they bring to the community after they graduate, citing companies like Pioneer Technical and WET. He believes the advantage of Tech is the dedication

MNews Fall 2020

THE ONGOING SUCCESS OF AMOS TAISWA

PH.D. STUDENT TO RETURN TO AFRICA AFTER EARNING DEGREE By Stevie Croisant

t n a s i o rC e i v e t S y B

put out a great YouTube clip on Amos. Since I already knew his backstory, I didn’t want my interview to be a repeat of Northern’s.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, a protected area home to all the iconic African wildlife you can imagine. As Amos approached, I noticed one thing right away: he has an extremely calm demeanor. While students rapidly passed by us in the main lobby of the SSC, he seemed like the one person who wasn’t affected by the rushing pace of college life. We sat down in a quiet corner in the back of the lobby and started chatting. Amos spoke with a soft but steady voice. We ended up talking about life in Africa, what success and failure mean, and what Amos hopes to do after earning his doctorate degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Here’s a piece of our conversation.

MNews Fall 2020

Q: How are sports seen in Kenya? Q: You want to go back to Kenya when you are done with school?

Amos: Athletics in Kenya… It’s your career. It’s your life. It’s a way of survival. You need to run hard, make money, be rich, and help people.

Amos: Yes. That’s what empowers me and keeps me Q: Do you have any role models in sports? going even when stuff feels hard and I feel homesick. one Amos: Tiger Woods inspired me when I was Amos Taiswa shares photos of his family in Africa and of his mentors of the main reasons why I want from MSU Northern. growing up; he is my idol. to go back home is to empower others in Kenya and show people through my research, education, Q: I noticed you said “best of the best” earlier. Is Tiger your idol and teaching that this can be a foundation. because he’s the best?

Q: You went to MSU Northern for undergrad and ran on their cross country team. Is athletics what brought you here?

Amos: Early 2007, I used to go to school and come back home every day and my dad would always buy a newspaper. I would go to the sports section, and the only person I would see is Tiger Woods. I always wondered, ‘Who’s this Tiger Woods? He wins all the time.’ Tiger Woods was always at the top. I had that admiration for him— how successful he is, determined. Q: Besides Tiger Woods, who else do you look up to?

Amos: Yes. When I was in high school, I used to have my own club called the Upendo club, which means Love Club in Swahili. Our main goal was to do community service.

researching him online. He attended undergrad at MSU Northern; they

Olympic runners (Amos knows one of them). It’s also nearby the popular

Amos: Being on an athletic team is not just about running; it’s beyond that. It is about helping each other find family and best friends. That’s my new perspective on athletics, but, before that, I didn’t see athletics as anything like that.

Q: Has community and giving back always been important to you?

Technological University. I’d spent the hour before the interview

away from Butte. Kilgoris has a reputation for producing gold medal

Amos: I talk to my dad almost twice every week. My mom, on the other hand, is a texter. My dad is very proud of me, especially since I want to invest in Africa when I get done with school.

Amos: My community told me that they were sending me and ‘we need you to come back.’ They raised me and expect me to pay them back. That’s the main plan—go back as being the best of the best!

I’m meeting Amos Taiswa, a first-year Ph.D. student at Montana

during our talk. He’s from Kilgoris, Kenya, a rural area over 8,000 miles

Q: Now that you have been an athlete, do you see sports as a way to build a community for yourself?

Q: Did you always know when coming to America that you eventually wanted to go back?

It’s a Thursday afternoon, presumably between classes. “Pick your favorite place on campus,” was the only instruction I gave in my email when setting up a place to meet for this interview.

Amos does have an incredible backstory that we didn’t get into much

Q: Your mom really saw potential in you. What are your parents like?

Amos: There is one African leader, Kofi Annan from Ghana, who used to be in the UN who passed away. In 2017 in Kenya, we had a very hard time after an election. People were killed. It was the worst experience in Kenyan history. Kofi came in as a respondent from the UN and took charge and resolved the whole issue. He studied at MIT and with all his skills he went back to Africa to work for the UN to bring peace to the continent. That is someone that I make sure to look up to.

Amos: No, I never did athletics before. Coming from Kenya, you can either be an athlete or go to school. It is hard to find people who can do both. For me, I knew I was going to school. Athletics is not something that I wanted to venture into. Q: You must have been good at school then? Amos: I remember when I was in seventh grade, my mom was like ‘I don’t think you need to go to eighth grade; you seem smart.’ She had me do the national Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination that students do so that they can go into high school. I did that when I was in seventh grade alongside students in eighth grade. I ended up going straight to high school. After that, I knew I needed to focus on education.

Amos traveled over

8,000 miles from Kilgoris, Kenya to get his education in Montana.

MNews Fall 2020

“

Success contains all the good things like not being a failure, doing the right thing, being a motivation, being a good leader. It’s being that person that everyone wants to be. — Amos Taiswa

But then he noticed Mark was gone. Dennis looked around and finally found him by the camera trying to get on TV. “He’s always in a good mood,” Dennis said, grinning.

TECH SAYS FINAL GOODBYE

But the laughs didn’t stop there. Dennis and

Mark Taylor Retires After 31 Years with the Physical Plant

him work the chains at a home game.

Amos: I am working on water quality projects. There is a high percentage of people in Africa who do not have access to clean water, but we are trying to reduce that gap and make sure people get clean water.

Q: Success is a big deal for you. What does success mean? Amos: Success contains all the good things like not being a failure, doing the right thing, being a motivation, being a good leader. It’s being that person that everyone wants to be.

Q: Last question. What does failure mean to you? Amos: Failure is a motivation for me to try more. Fail once, come back again, keep working on it. If it’s in your heart, you just keep going back because of the motivation to succeed.

from the Special Olympics. Mark is an awardwinning Special Olympian. Over the past 30 years, he has received over 100 medals in skiing, basketball, and swimming.

DEDICATION TO HIS CRAFT

alking around campus with Mark Taylor makes you feel like he’s got a spotlight on him. In true Montana Tech fashion, everyone we pass exclaims, “Hi, Mark!” or comes up to ask him how his day is going. Not surprisingly, a few cars even honk to say hello to the

campus handyman. Everywhere he goes, he makes people smile.

And after 31 years working at the Physical Plant at Montana Tech, it’s clear that Mark will forever be a part of our school’s history. This summer, Mark retired.

MNews Fall 2020

WHAT STARTED AS A HIGH SCHOOL JOB TURNED INTO A FOREVER CAREER Mark admitted he never thought he’d be here as long as he was.

to be held there because “Abbott’s party was there too”). But for those who couldn’t be there, we wanted to capture Mark’s legacy here for you to enjoy. We sat down with Mark and his supervisor— though best friend and partner in crime seems like a more apt description—Dennis Lowney,

Along with the laughs came hard work. He spent hours alongside Dennis sanding, staining, and repairing things around campus. He even put many after-work hours into carefully building items like a wine bottle rack or a petroleum rolling cabinet for the annual

In 1989, Mark started working at the Physical

Digger Auction.

Plant as a carpenter’s assistant when he was a student at Butte High School. He would bus in every day at three p.m. and work until four p.m. During the summer, he would work a full 40 hours a week.

Mark was appointed as a Safety Sergeant on campus. Mark, who has a strong sense of right and wrong, never wavered in his duty. He turned in many people, even Dennis a few times. It didn’t matter how trivial the offense.

When he first started, according to Dennis,

Dennis once had a lens pop out of his safety

Mark didn’t even like going to the mailroom and

glasses, and Mark was there to turn him in.

was very reserved with who he would talk to. But, as many know, Mark opened up a lot since his first years here.

MARK’S MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON TECH

31 YEARS OF LAUGHS

Mark will forever be a part of Tech’s legacy. He’s

Campus celebrated his retirement with a party at the SSC (Mark specifically asked for his party

“Is there a bad memory?” we asked Mark. “Nope,” he replied, without hesitation. “I loved it.” Dennis smiled and stifled a laugh. “One of my favorite memories happened at the HPER Complex,” he explained.

to reminisce on Mark’s time at Tech. And while

touched many lives here, most of all Dennis. Dennis may have put it best when he said, “Mark keeps us all in line. Even when you’re having a bad day, Mark turns it around. He’s made Tech a better place.”

SIGNING OFF

they cautioned that not all their memories were

While fixing a door with Mark, Dennis noticed

My last question to Mark was if he had a final

fit to print, they were able to share a lot of great

one of the coaches being filmed for an

message for his friends at Tech. He wanted

ones anyway.

faculty who made an impression on him, and the time former football coach Bob Green let

Not one to brag, Mark brushed over questions

Q: How important is Africa to you?

Q: How do you want to use your degree to go back and help Africa?

friends on campus, his photo op with Miss Montana, the countless names of students and

about his precision on the job or his medals

By Stevie Croisant

Amos: That is home. Africa needs people who will see things from a different perspective. Most leaders in Kenya, for example, the president, came to the U.S to study but went back and made no change. That breaks me.

Mark recalled the nicknames Mark gave his

interview. Not thinking anything of the common

to leave you all with something heartfelt and

occurrence, he turned his focus back on work.

straightforward: “Unit 9 is signing off.”

MNews Fall 2020

Getting off the Ground Leading a new athletic program is a once in a

ZACH KUGHN LEADS TECH’S CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS IN INAUGUR AL SE A SON B Y S T E V I E C RO I S A N T

lifetime opportunity. And it’s something most coaches, even the most reputable, don’t have the opportunity to do. That’s why when Montana Technological University announced in August 2019 that they were adding men’s and women’s cross country teams, former Montana State University Bobcat runner Zach Kughn knew he had to apply for the position.

Kughn’s influence doesn’t stop there. Freshman

“We battle with that all the time: confidence,” he

Biology major Ian Barville wouldn’t have heard

said. “Because Becca [Richtman] still struggles

of Tech had it not been for Kughn.

with self-confidence. It’s beneficial for our team to know that we have a very good runner, but

Kughn is friends with Barville’s brother’s coach.

we don’t have a perfect runner. And they get to

He got in touch with Barville and invited the

see that you still get scared and nervous and

Spokane native to visit Tech.

have moments of doubt. You deal with those things no matter how good you get.”

“I liked it here because it was a good fit on all three levels: academics, athletics, and financially,” the freshman said.

is something that I’ve really wanted,” Kughn said.

he added. And part of his training means his runners need to document not just

It’s All About Strategy Part of Kughn’s influence has to do with his

“The opportunity to start a program from scratch

Mental health is a real aspect of the sport,

their physical performance but their mental performance as well.

strategic approach. At the beginning of the season, Kughn had his “I try to make cross country more strategic than

team fill out logs that documented information

women’s cross country teams at Tech.

it is sometimes,” Kughn said.

like how the runners felt after a training

With his first season starting Tech’s inaugural

One example of his race-day strategy is how

how fast. It also helps his athletes figure out

he’s been helping Richtman win. For their

what works and what doesn’t in their training.

He is now the head coach for both the men’s and

cross country team under his belt, I chatted with Kughn and two of his runners about what it’s like establishing a new culture and what the future potential of the team looks like.

session, how hard it was, how far they ran, and

first meet of the season, he had her pull away from the pack at the halfway mark. She won

“Mental health is connected to physical health,”

by 13 seconds. For their second meet, he told

Kughn said. “One of my strategies is to take care

her she couldn’t lead. Then with 600 meters

of the physical first so we can minimize the risk

to go, he had her pull away. She won that race

Making the Move to Montana When I sat down to talk with Kughn, I had no idea what kind of influence this coach had. I sat in his office with him and senior Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences major Becca

by 14 seconds. “I’m making her win in every possible way so that when the important races come, she knows she can win no matter what.”

Richtman. Richtman, the only upperclassman on the cross country team, surprised me when she casually mentioned that it was “scary to make the move out.”

with the mental side of it.” His physical training schedule involves a mix of easy days and hard days. As Barville put it, “Even the hard days are controlled because you can only do so much before your body has to recover.”

Mental Health Matters Part of that winning attitude Kughn is helping

Mental health is also important to

instill in Richtman comes from his focus on

his athletes.

mental health in his training. “Wait,” I said. “Did you transfer to Tech to follow Zach [Kughn]”? “Yes,” Richtman said. “I have so much belief in Zach’s training.” And that belief is well-founded. The runner has already made several headlines, including Frontier Conference Runner of the Week two times in a row, the NAIA’s National Runner of the Week, and the third-place runner at the Frontier Championship meet. Richtman met Kughn at Winona State University in Minnesota, where she previously attended school and Kughn served as the head coach. “I’ve never won a cross country race before, ever,” she said. “Not even close. Not even Top 10.”

MNews Fall 2020

Richtman loves that they can use practice to

“That’s just the way it is here from the beginning.”

talk things out with teammates.

Even though their season is over, Kughn and his Barville, who has the team’s highest mileage—

“We can go on a 6-mile run together and talk

he runs approximately 80 miles a week—is a big

about how terrible your day was. By the

believer in discipline.

time you’re done with the run, you feel so much better.”

Looking Ahead team still have Nationals to look forward to. Tech’s cross country team is hoping to compete in the NAIA championships, held in Cedar

“Listening to Coach is very important,” he said.

Rapids, Iowa on April 9, 2021. Teams will find

“Because anyone can work hard, but working

out in March if they qualify or if individual

One of Richtman’s main goals as the team’s

hard doesn’t mean improving the most. I see

runners on their team qualify. Individuals who

unofficial captain is instilling a culture of

discipline as actively communicating with Zach

are in the top four and not on a qualifying

positivity. Her pre-race huddle speech always

and doing what he thinks will set me up the most

team advance to Nationals. Teams that win

includes something to lift the other women up.

for success.”

the conference meet automatically advance

She’s also a big believer in laughter. “If you go out there and have fun like you do in practice and if we can translate that into the race, that’s what we need—to be happy,” she said.

Starting a Tradition of Excellence Along with a positive culture, it’s been important for Kughn to establish a culture of discipline for his young team. “One thing I talk about is living the running lifestyle,” he said. What’s a running lifestyle? “The two hours where I’m in charge are the easiest ones. You just have to do what I’ve planned. It’s the other 22 hours that make the difference.” He’s glad his young team will only know what college at Tech is like with the running lifestyle mindset.

DRAFTING OPPORTUNITIES By Susan Barth

to Nationals. The cross country team is a

Oredigger Through and Through Kughn is also aligning himself with the Oredigger attitude. “Tech cares about being good at all that we do. That’s perfect,” he said. “That’s what I want. I want people to care about how we do. I want them to want us to have a good team. And I want them to want us to have good students too.” It’s more than just the winning mentality on and off the race track. Kughn is big on making sure his team is a part of the Oredigger

part of the Frontier Conference, and only competing against other Montana colleges in the conference due to the pandemic, including Carroll College, Montana State University-

Tommy and Sheila Penaluna

Northern, Rocky Mountain College, and the University of Montana-Western. “Our conference is very competitive,” Kughn said. “It makes it a lot easier to get the national scene because our conference is well respected.” He predicts sending at least one runner from the men’s team and a few from the women’s team.

family. And with support from the top, like Chancellor Les Cook and Athletic Director

How to Support the XC Team

Matt Stepan, it’s been easy for his team to

While Kughn and his team are grateful they’ve

find their footing on campus.

been able to have a season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, they realize it’s been hard to garner

He talked about how Chancellor Cook is often

support. Fans, including parents, haven’t been

seen sporting his green cross country t-shirt

allowed at meets.

around campus or how his wife Stephanie

Sheila Penaluna looks back fondly on her childhood in the vibrant Hub Addition in Butte, just east of the Anselmo Mine. She went to Immaculate Conception school, and Butte High, and was a champion skier. At Butte High, Sheila thought she might want to become a draftsman, but in the early 1950s, women weren’t even allowed in the mechanical drawing classes. She took four years of art classes instead, and Pop Weaver taught her the more mechanical art on the side. Women weren’t allowed in the drafting department at the Anaconda Company either, where Sheila went to work after high school as a keypunch operator. But she had grit and talent, and persevered, working through several

bakes cookies for his runners. The rest of the

With this as their inaugural season, Tech won’t

athletic department has embraced his team

positions until she was finally hired as the first

host a home meet until 2022 and won’t host

too. And with football off the calendar in the

woman draftsman in the early 1970s. “Charlie

a championship meet until 2025—after all his

fall, he and Richtman were especially grateful

Doddard was head of the geology department,”

current runners are gone.

remembered Sheila, “and I talked with him

for the support from the football players.

about seeing if I could come in as a draftsman,

but I said, ‘But you don’t accept women.’ And he

“I could see that anybody could take a bit of

said, ‘Well, I don’t have any reason not to.’ So I

computer training, and specialized training, and

took the test and I passed it, and he hired me

be able to follow that straight into carpentry,

as a draftsman in the geology department.” As

plumbing, electrical, anything,” she said. “What

part of the job she would go underground, one

a gift they’d have without having to go through

of the few women to do so. As a joke the men

four years of college, and not go into debt. Most

painted her gear—bib overalls, long underwear,

of them are able to work while going to school.

boots, and hat—pink. She wore the pink

It just blew my mind when I saw what was going

uniform proudly.

on out there.”

Sheila met Tommy Penaluna at a bowling alley, and they married in 1960. Tommy became a carpenter by apprenticing to his uncle when he was young. He had a long and thriving career as a carpenter and contractor in southwest Montana. Sheila worked at the Anaconda Company until mining stopped in Butte, then finished her career at ARCO in Denver as a drafting supervisor. Sheila and Tommy were both very successful in their careers. Though they didn’t have the opportunity to attend college, when Sheila took a tour of Highlands College, she was deeply impressed by what she saw.

After Tommy passed in 2018, Sheila was so

How does one best support this new team “A couple of guys from the football team

‘How did you do? We saw you on Instagram!’” Richtman recounted. ‘It starts at the top. We’re not the most popular sport, and I understand that,” Kughn added. “You don’t feel like you’re cross country versus everyone else here.” “We’re one big family—the Tech family,”

MNews Fall 2020

memory. Her first student, Serena, graduated in May 2020 in Metals Fabrication with plans to set up her own shop, and Sheila plans to continue to offer the opportunity. “Highlands College is a fantastic place to get a leg up in the trades,” Sheila said. “I’m tickled pink to help more kids go there.” Sheila plans to continue to support the Tom estate gift, to help more students realize their potential. “Not everybody is geared to a four-

Without any alumni, Kughn is worried about a

year degree,” Sheila said. “Tradespeople make

lack of donors. But he’s also okay with building

good money, and they’re needed. We need

awareness about the cross country team first.

to get the word out about Highlands, and get more kids those chances.”

“All we can ask for is people to read the articles and follow us on social media.”

For more information on how to make an impact like Sheila has, contact Michael Barth

And, of course, root for the Diggers to cross the

at the Montana Technological University

finish line first.

Foundation (mbarth@mtech.edu or 406-496-4233).

Richtman chimed in.

Montana Tech runner Becca Richtman runs to victory at the Frontier Conference Preview Meet this fall.

she set up a scholarship there to honor his

& Sheila Penaluna scholarship through an

Kughn has built?

saw us in the SUB after a meet. They were cheering and rooting for us and yelling like,

moved by the opportunities at Highlands that

Sheila Penaluna, then Askins (front left), with other winners of the Butte Ski Club Tournament, 1953.

MNews Fall 2020

LOOKING FORWARD

THE FUTURE OF MONTANA TECH By Amanda Badovinac

“

Montana Tech’s next 120 years

will be made up of promise, growth, and continued transformation.

From its early beginnings as the Montana State School of Mines, Montana Technological University has grown to one of the top educational institutions in the nation. Over the past 120 years, the university has seen growth in people, places, and programs. The Montana State School of Mines, as it was known in 1900, opened in one building offering two degrees to 39 students. Today, Montana Tech offers 65 degrees to over 2,300 students in buildings on two campuses. As we look to the future, the university on the hill remains a beacon of promise. The beacon shines bright in 2021 as Chancellor Cook and the leadership team focus on positioning the university for the future through the development of a campus-wide strategic plan, master plan, and strategic enrollment plan. These three plans will provide synergy and renewed energy to the university’s framework for success. They will serve as a driving force behind the growth and plans for Montana Tech, Highlands College, and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology as we celebrate our individual uniqueness and recommit to our strength as one institution. Highlands programs have seen

success in the lineman, radiological technology, and computer network

the highest quality of hands-on experiential education possible. Nursing

physical and sensory aspects like big skies, mountain views, and fresh air, to

and cybersecurity. Highlands moving forward will continue to focus on

was added to the curriculum in August 1999 and has greatly expanded

the attitudinal traits of keeping things real, authentic, and telling it like it is, the

trades, technical, health science, and work-ready certification.

since then. Montana Tech is ranked the #1 BSN nursing school in

brand presents a lifestyle and mindset that’s unmistakably Montana Tech. As

Montana and has also been named one of the top RN to BSN programs

the best value engineering school in the nation, Montana Tech is a rewarding

The university will see a significant impact when the Schweitzer

in the western region. The innovative center supports the integration

investment, and no longer will it be a best-kept secret. The university will

Engineering Power-Systems Lab on campus opens. The new lab moves

and expansion of simulation experiences throughout the curriculum

continue its strategic focus on retention after experiencing the highest retention

the Electrical Engineering lab space previously located on the top floor

and improves nursing graduates’ quality. Current simulation spaces

rate in Montana this fall and perhaps ever at Montana Tech.

of Main Hall into the university’s new Natural Resource Research Center.

in the Health Sciences Building will be converted to larger classrooms,

The state of the art labs were made possible by a $1.5 million donation

accommodating larger cohort sizes. Construction for the center will begin

In the coming months, Montana Tech will have its leadership team in

of cash and equipment to build four new power-system laboratories. The

in spring 2021 with anticipated opening in the fall.

place. The recent hiring of Michael Van Alstyne as the Vice Chancellor

addition of these labs help position the university to be one of the best

of Administration and Finance will be a great addition along with

high-power schools in the nation. There will be a protection lab, an energy

Graduate education and research continue to expand at Montana Tech,

anticipated hiring of a new Vice Chancellor of Research and Dean of the

conversion lab, a power plant/systems lab, and a training and learning

and the coming years will be exciting with the addition of our second

Graduate School and Deans of both the College of Letters, Sciences &

lab. The new space will provide students more room and cutting-edge

doctorate of philosophy degree in Earth Science & Engineering, along

Professional Studies and Highlands College. We are mindful of our great

equipment. It will also improve the Electrical Engineering faculty’s ability

with the new master’s degree in Ecological Restoration. These two

legacy yet continue to forge ahead, with new leadership, new thinking,

to conduct research and open up opportunities to conduct training for

degrees complement the university’s current bachelor of science degree

and new ideas.

power engineers from around the region. Electrical Engineering was one

offerings and couldn’t have found a better home or living laboratory than

of the initial two programs offered to School of Mines students—and its

Butte, Montana. Considerable interest and growth are expected in each

Montana Tech’s next 120 years will be made up of promise, growth,

future remains bright.

of these degree areas.

and continued transformation. We provide determined doers with an

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for quality health care. To

Montana’s STEM-focused university continues to see an increased focus

to connect focused students to a network of people, opportunities, and

continue to educate the next generation of leaders in the healthcare field,

on recruitment and student success. With the launch of Montana True, the

experiences that empower them to change the world for well over the

Montana Tech will add a Nursing Simulation Center on campus to provide

university’s new brand, Montana Tech will bring more students from around

next 120 years.

education, experience, and environment like no other and will continue

the world to experience the beauty that surrounds the campus. From the

MNews Fall 2020

IN MEMORIAM

OREDIGGER SPOTLIGHT

JERRY SCHUYLER: REMEMBERING YOUR ROOTS

We extend sympathy to the families of the following alumni who have passed away over the past five months.

By Stevie Croisant

1950s Harold W. Foss ‘54, BS Mining Engineering

“I like to think that we remember our roots and the opportunities that help us be successful in life. I credit Tech for a lot of that.”

His father encouraged Schuyler and his five other siblings—Ron, Alan, Steve, Kris, and Karen, who all attended Tech—to pursue a career outside of ranching. Though they did— and worked all over the world—the Schuylers still maintain the ranch in Roberts and still gather there for family events and holidays.

Teaching Others That take-charge attitude has served Schuyler well in life. Schuyler, along with his wife Julie, has always

William B. Campbell ‘57, BS Petroleum Engineering James D. Wallace ‘59, BS Mining Engineering

been an active supporter of Montana Tech.

1960s

He is a founding member of the Petroleum

William C. Tiddy ‘63, BS Metallurgical Engineering

Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and Roots are important to Jerry Schuyler ’77. His home and his family shaped him into who he is today. He’s especially proud of his Montana Tech roots. “The opportunities afforded to me by Tech went well beyond anything I ever dreamed they could be,” Schuyler said. Schuyler was prominent in the oil and gas industry and is a philanthropist and family man, living with his wife Julie in Austin. He doesn’t believe his story is unique.

Becoming an Oredigger The decision to attend Tech was an easy one. His older brother Ron had already paved the way, and the job placement rates caught his eye. “When I graduated, I had 11 job offers.”

While at Montana Tech, Jerry also met his life partner, Julie Clark. Julie graduated from

He had $10 in his checking account when he

Anaconda High School, and then from MSU with

graduated, and zero debt.

a B.S. in Nursing. She started work in Seattle at the University of Washington Hospital. When

“I went to Tech and never looked back.”

After graduating with a degree in Petroleum

are tons of them.”

Engineering, Schuyler accepted a position with ARCO, a company he stayed with for over

consisted of helping around the farm, getting his schoolwork done, and playing basketball. “Those are great roots. It’s a great way to grow up,” he said. “But I didn’t hate anything more than milking cows.”

20 years. When interviewing with ARCO, the head of HR made it clear they didn’t take new hires to Alaska. Schuyler was set on working in one of the largest oil fields ever discovered in the United States. His persistence paid off. Schuyler was the first engineer ARCO hired right out of college to work in Alaska. “I learned early that you need to take charge.”

MNews Fall 2020

Kristen S. Nelson ‘82, BS Environmental Engineering Ernest C. Peters ‘84, AS Associate of Science/ Engineering Patrick G. Shea ‘85, BS Society & Technology Garry E. Anderson ‘86, M Geological Engineering, ‘84 BS Geological Engineering

2000s David M. Mason ‘03, A Nursing, ‘02, A COT– Practical Nursing, ‘92 BS CS Computer Science Bonnie I. Davies ‘05, A Nursing Narven W. Osteen ‘07, BS Environmental Engineering Daneta J. Michalsky ‘08, AAS Medical Assistant Debbie J. Paige ‘09, AS Nursing

John G. Evans ‘65, BS Petroleum Engineering Ronald E. Holt ‘86, BS Petroleum Engineering Robert W. Toivonen ‘67, M Metallurgical Engineering, ‘65 BS Metallurgical Engineering Frank F. Aplan ‘68, Professional Mineral Dressing, ‘50 M Mineral Dressing Richard C. Taylor ‘68, BS Petroleum Engineering James P. Mischkot ‘69, BS Mineral Dressing

Jerry graduated, they drove together to Alaska, where Jerry worked with ARCO and Julie held

Career

small ranch, in Roberts, Montana. His childhood

Partnership

He also appreciated the affordability of Tech.

just love hearing the success stories. And there

Like many Orediggers, Schuyler grew up on a

years, including as Chairman.

Public Policy

Engineering

Antone G. Banovich ‘86, BS Geological Engineering

Distinguished Alumni in 2004. He served on the Montana Tech Foundation Board for many

Lance G. Kelley ‘82, BS Environmental

Mary K. Craig ‘99, BS Society &Technology/

2010s Alan R. Roos ‘12, BS Geological Engineering

Dennis Ritari ‘86, BS Mining Engineering Daniel S. Wikstrom ‘12, BS Petroleum

“I see myself in the students at Tech,” he said. “I

Humble Beginnings

served as Chairman. He was elected as a

1980s

various nursing positions. They were married in Anchorage in 1981. Julie became a full-time mom and raised their three children, Brianna, Alicia, and Ryan. When the kids got older, Julie became active volunteering. In addition to her B.S. in nursing,

1970s

Daniel J. Hogan ‘88, BS Business Administration

1990s Charles H. Atkins ‘93, M Environmental Engineering Roger T. Timpson ‘93, M Metallurgical Engineering

Robin L. Sterrett ‘70, BS Engineering Science Linda L. Rogers ‘94, BS Society & Technology/ Robert V. Westermark ‘71, BS Petroleum

Human Values & Technology

Engineering Daryl A. Crane ‘95, BS Environmental

Rokki C. Parker ‘17, AAS Civil Engineering Technology Jade T. Green ‘18, BS Business & Information Tech/Management Option Benjamin V. Maxson ‘18, BS Petroleum Engineering

Leonard J. Maki ‘73, BS Geological Engineering,

Michael F. Walsh ‘95, BS Technology & Business

‘73 BS Mining Engineering

Development

Audrey M. Sanderson ‘76 AA Associate of Arts

Brenda S. McDonald ‘98, A COT–Environmental

David W. White ‘20, GRADC Technical

Technology

Communication

Mark W. Ahlborn ‘19, BS Mining Engineering

2020s

on their own roots and experiences to support the next generation of success stories.

Sean A. Vetter ‘13, BS Petroleum Engineering

Engineering

Julie is an avid supporter of the Montana Tech nursing program. Together, Jerry and Julie draw

Mia E. Lillyblad ‘13, BS Liberal Studies

Willard B. Brothers ‘72, BS Mathematics

Julie also obtained a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture in 2007.

Engineering

Vickie L. Petritz ‘79, AA Associate of Arts, ‘79 BS Computer Science/Business Information Systems

Robert E. Bears ‘99, BS Environmental Engineering

MNews Fall 2020

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