Chancellor Hicswa and student volunteers at the 2024 MSUB Wine & Food Festival
Thank you for making a lasting difference
CEO
Krista Montague, '99 & '18
CFO
Jeff Clarke
Director of Annual Giving and Athletic Advancement
Nick Schmidt
Director of Major Gifts
Kelly Schrock
Database And Gift Processing Coordinator
Tracy McLuskie, '21
Advancement Coordinator
Jodi Byrne
Alumni Relations and Marketing Coordinator
Luca Battistotti, '21 & '23
Accountant
Drew Chenault
Board of Directors
Tom Potter, Chair
Michael Monson, Vice Chair, ‘03
Ken Lutton, Treasurer, ‘06
Brittany Cremer. Secretary, 06
Kay L. Berry, ‘83
Tyler Elkin, ‘95
William Henry
Karen Moses
Dr. Donal Roberts
David E. Wanzenried
Buddy Windy Boy, ‘06
Janiel Begger, ‘15 & ‘17
Becky Anderson, 02
Krista Montague, Ex Officio, ‘98 & ‘18
Dr. Stefani Hicswa, Ex Officio
Dr. Jessie Perius, Ex Officio, ‘12
Anne Cole, Ex Officio
8:07pm, March 21
Dear Friends,
Summer is a bustling season filled with travel, family gatherings, and backyard barbecues, and we hope you are enjoying every moment of sunshine with your loved ones. We know many MSUB students are either attending summer classes or diligently preparing for their enrollment in Fall 2024. These students are central to our mission and providing them with access to education and ensuring their success is only possible because of your dedication. Your commitment to higher education is crucial for a brighter future and with your support, we can turn dreams into reality.
In April, we celebrated 32 years of the MSUB Wine & Food Festival, where over $600,000 was generously donated by friends, alumni, and businesses like you to support student scholarships. This event demonstrated that every contribution, no matter the size, can have a significant impact. Your support truly makes a difference. In total, the MSUB Foundation & Alumni realized a 56% rise in donation support to MSUB from FY2023 to FY2024. We are honored to be a part of your philanthropic journey.
Studies indicate that students who receive scholarships graduate at higher rates and complete their degrees more quickly than those who don’t. Scholarships alleviate financial burdens, allowing students to focus more on their studies and less on financial concerns. This support not only helps them achieve their academic goals but also empowers them to contribute positively to their communities and professions after graduation.
When our students graduate, diploma in hand, it’s a win for our entire university, the communities we serve, and most importantly, our new alumni. Their success stories are a testament to the power of education and the generosity of donors like you. Together, we are building a legacy of excellence and opportunity, one student at a time. Thank you for your ongoing support of MSUB
Krista Montague CEO
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 4
Jacket Scramble
Golf Tournament
August 21
MSUB Women’s Soccer vs Rocky Mountain College
September 4
Labor Day, Offices Closed
September 6
Classes Begin
September 6
MSUB Volleyball vs Minot State University
October 5
Outstanding Alumni Awards
The NEW Foundation & Alumni Newsletter
We are pleased to announce updates to our newsletter. Firstly, we have revised our distribution schedule: the newsletter will now be sent out quarterly instead of every other month. This change allows us to curate more comprehensive and in-depth content, ensuring you receive the most relevant and impactful updates from the MSUB community.
In addition to the new distribution frequency, we are excited to unveil an updated format designed to enhance your reading experience. The new layout aims to be more engaging and visually appealing, providing you with a richer and more enjoyable way to stay informed about MSUB.
We would like to inform you that the next edition of our newsletter will be delivered towards the end of October. We are confident that these enhancements will significantly improve your connection with our foundation’s work.
MSUB students celebrating during a basketball game
Outstanding Alumni Awards, Class of 2023
2024 Outstanding Alumni Awards
This annual awards program honors alumni who have made exceptional contributions to society, their profession, and their alma mater and are honored with awards in six categories.
More than 200 MSU Billings and Eastern Montana College graduates have been recognized with Outstanding Alumni Awards since the first ceremony in 1982. We are proud to honor these exceptional members of the Yellowjacket family.
We warmly invite you to participate in this year’s event to recognize the exceptional work of the recipients. If you are interested, please scan the QR code below.
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARDS CATEGORIES
Distinguished Alumni
• Honors alumni distinguished by personal, professional, and civic contributions, bringing honor, pride, and recognition to the university.
Alumni Merit Medallion
• Honors alumni dedicated to advancing education through professional expertise, philanthropy, or volunteer service to MSUB.
Ronald P. Sexton Award for Exceptional Achievement
• Honors alumni who have worked as MSUB employees for over 10 years, significantly contributing to its advancement and emulating Chancellor Sexton’s commitment to access, excellence, and student success.
Recognition for Exceptional Achievement
• Recognizes alumni for exceptional professional achievements, community impact, and commitment to advancing MSUB or higher education.
Rising Star Award
• Honors recent alumni who have shown increased career responsibility, community involvement, or campus contribution within the last ten years.
Friend of MSUB
• Honors non-alumni who demonstrate commitment to MSUB through distinguished service or leadership, influencing growth and improvement, and inspiring others to support the university.
DATES: October 5
TIME: 10:00 am
LOCATION
MSUB Glacier Room
Lee Humphrey Nolan Trafton MyLinda Lovell Joseph Howell Darlene Hert Jeff Cysewski Jon Laurent Not picured, Anna Elkins Sandeen
Greg Allard Memorial Scholarship
Greg Allard, a beloved professor of Special Education at MSU Billings, discovered his passion for education early in life. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education/Special Education from MSUB (Eastern Montana College).
Over his 20-year tenure at our campus, Greg was deeply cherished and actively engaged with students, faculty, and staff. His office was always bustling with students seeking academic guidance, a kind word, or a compassionate gesture. Greg inspired his students to pursue their passions and led by example in his own life. Those who visited his office invariably left as better individuals.
A beautiful celebration of life for Greg was held at the MSUB Foundation on June 29, 2024. Friends, family, colleagues, and students gathered to share heartfelt stories, memories, and tributes, honoring Greg’s remarkable impact on our lives and his lasting legacy in the field of Special Education. In honor of Greg’s profound impact, his family and friends
New Board of Directors
MSUB Foundation & Alumni Board of Directors recently welcomed four new members, who began their term July 1, 2024, and will serve a three-year term. All newly appointed directors are graduates of MSUB.
- Becky Anderson, class of 2002 Head Basketball Coach, Shepherd High School
- Janiel Begger, class of 2015 and 2017 Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
- Ken Lutton, class of 2006 Owner, Technology By Design
- Jessie Perius, PhD, class of 2012 Assistant Professor Management, MSUB Business Administration Internship Coordinator
have established the Greg Allard Memorial Scholarship at MSUB. We warmly invite all friends, family, and colleagues to join us in contributing to this scholarship. By doing so, you will help to continue Greg’s enduring legacy and extend his positive influence on our community for generations to come. Your support will ensure that his passion for special education and dedication to students will live on through this meaningful tribute.
To make a donation, please call 406.657.2244 or send an email to jeff.clarke@msubfoundation.com
The Cultural Corner
YAM Exhibition by MSUB Faculty
Mark Earnhart & Jodi Lightner: Suspended Intervals
Artist Talk with Jodi Lightner: September 12, 2024 // 5pm
Artist Talk with Mark Earnhart: October 10, 2024 // 5pm
Northcutt Steele Gallery msubillings.edu/gallery
Eunkang Koh - Artist in Residence
Artist Talk: September 26 // 4pm
MSUB Faculty Exhibition
Artist Talk: October 24 // 5:30pm
Jodi Lightner, MSUB Art Professor and Department Chair
FROM THE CHANCELLOR
Thank You
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on the past academic year, I want to sincerely thank you for your support. This year marked our second highest retention rate in 14 years, particularly benefiting low-income, military-affiliated, and first-generation students. At MSUB, we help students with grit succeed. Our students are amazingly resilient, and they know the power of perseverance.
Thanks to the partnership of MSU Billings Foundation, the Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship supported 307 incoming first-time students, enhancing their access to education. Completing their degree not only transforms our students’ lives, but it also enacts generational change. Your support is pivotal in their journey, and we are already seeing this profound impact.
With sincere thanks,
Stefani Hicswa, PhD. Chancellor
April 17 & 18 at the MetraPark Pavillion.
- Thursday, April 17, 2025 Winemaster Soiree.
- Friday, April 18, 2025 Vintage Affair, featuring the eagerly awaited Live Auction.
Stay tuned for more information about next year’s festival!
Double Your Impact?
We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Double the Donation, a company that helps maximize fundraising through employee-matching gift programs. This platform offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for individuals to check if their employer matches their philanthropic gifts, effectively doubling their impact.
Starting September 1st, if you have recently donated, you will receive an email from us with instructions on how to verify if your current employer matches your donation. If you discover that your employer does match gifts but isn’t listed, please let us know, and we will add it to the system.
This simple process will help sig-
Check out photos from this year's festival!
nificantly increase the amount of money raised to support our vision to promote higher education for a better tomorrow.
If you have questions about the program, contact Nick Schmidt, Director of Annual Giving & Asst. AD – Athletics Advancement at 406.657.2253 or nick.schmidt@ msubfoundation.com.
Dominc Estes, student speaker Thank you to our 2024 Festival volunteers
Vintage Affair Table
$16,270
City College Cost of Attendance for Montana Residents in 2023-2024 (12 or more credits)
$18,590
University Campus Cost of Attendance for Montana Residents in 2023-2024 (12 or more credits)
$18,600
Master’s Degrees Cost of Attendance for Montana Residents in 2023-2024 (9 or more credits)
$1,118,861
Scholarships awarded in 2023-2024
63%
Of students’ needs were met in 2023-2024
“
MSUB has truly been a positive force in my life, providing me with unparalleled opportunities for growth and learning! The supportive faculty and top-notch academic programs not only expanded my knowledge, but also ignited a passion for my chosen field. The campus community has fostered lifelong friendships and a sense of belonging, making my time at MSUB unforgettable. Through a variety of extracurricular activities and experiences, I developed important skills that have served me well in my career.
MSUB’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement has inspired me to be a responsible and active citizen in the Billings community. I am beyond grateful for the positive impact MSUB has had on my life and I look forward to many years of involvement as an alum. Sarah Gunn
Sarah graduated from MSUB in December of 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Minor in Finance. Upon graduation, she began her professional career working as a Business Support Associate for Avitus Group. Currently, Sarah is the Client Growth Project Manager at Vensure and she is also a key member of Billings Next Gen. Sarah’s biggest supporters are her family, her husband, her parents, her brother, and her dog, Clarke.
YOUR ACTIONS MATTER
Scan here to make a donation.
Sarah Gunn, Class of 2017