Distinguished Alumni
The Graudate School at Montana State University would like to celebrate our diverse and accomplished alumni.
Lynette Stein-Chandler 1966-2017 was “an enrolled member of the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre Nation), answered to
the ceremonial name of Bitathaa (Dancing Woman) because of her love and abilities
in jingle dress dancing at pow-wows. She earned a bachelor’s degree in letters and
science in English literature in 2000 and a master’s degree in Native American studies
in 2003, both from Montana State University. In 2010, she attained a Ph.D. in educational
leadership from the University of Montana. In 2003, she founded the White Clay Language
School to revitalize the Aaniiih Language, thus changing the course of Aaniiih history.
Well known throughout the country and internationally through her American Indian
language efforts, Chandler-Stein received many awards including the Unsung Hero Award
in 2011, Montana Indian Educator of the Year in 2012 and from the University of Montana,
the Educational Leadership Excellence Award in 2013. The Fort Belknap Indian community
also recognized her achievements by declaring May 7, 2012, Dr. Lynette Chandler Day.
Chandler decided to move from Bozeman to Harlem in 2001 to help in the education of
her people at Aaniiih Nakoda College on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.” From Extraordinary Ordinary Women of MSU. Dr Lynette Stein-Chandler, posthumously received an honorary doctorate in letters
from Montana State University in 2017.
Janine Pease- -Windy Boy, Pretty On Top earned her PhD from Montana State University in 1993. Dr Pease - Pretty On Top “is
an American educator and Native American advocate. She is the founding president of
the Little Big Horn College as well as the past president of the American Indian Higher
Education Consortium and director of the American Indian College Fund. She was appointed
by President Bill Clinton to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education and
the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities Advisory Council. She
has also served as a trustee of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.”
More information on Janine Pease - -Windy Boy, Pretty On Top
Segenet Kelemu (May 20, 1957) earned an MSc in plant pathology and genetics in 1985 from Montana
State University. Dr Kelemu “is an Ethiopian scientist, noted for her research as
a molecular plant pathologist, and outstanding scientific leadership. For close to
three decades, Kelemu and her team's research has contributed to addressing agricultural
constraints in Africa, Asia, Latin America and North America.”
More information on Segenet Kelemu
Elouise Pepion Cobell also known as Yellow Bird Woman (November 5, 1945 – October 16, 2011) (Niitsítapi Blackfoot Confederacy) received an honorary Doctorate from Montana State University in 2002. Dr Cobell “was a tribal elder and activist, banker, rancher, and lead plaintiff in the groundbreaking class-action suit Cobell v. Salazar (2009). This challenged the United States' mismanagement of trust funds belonging to more than 500,000 individual Native Americans.[2] She pursued the suit from 1996, challenging the government to account for fees from resource leases.”
More information on Elouise Pepion Cobell