Spring 2018 Recipients
AGBE 445 Class, MSU-Bozeman
Dr. Atwood always had a positive attitude in class and kept us as a class excited
to come in every day and learn. Dr. Atwood's unwavering dedication to students in
the economics and ag economics program is what makes our program unique. We are proud
to have professors that truly care about our well-being while challenging us to go
outside of our comfort zone through learning. Dr. Atwood has inspired us to continue
through the hard times, which truly make you stronger. We cannot thank you enough
Dr. Atwood for being a great professor and person.
Nominated by AGBE 345 Class; Received award on April 19, 2018
Architecture, MSU-Bozeman
Saurabh is an International Student from India. He has taken a great initiative to
not only share his culture with the Bozeman community, but also to really experience
and soak-in the cultures of the US, Montana, and Bozeman. As part of the Cultural
Sharing program, he visited with Manhattan Elementary School to give a presentation
to 6th graders on topics like Hinduism and Indian Culture. A gifted artist, Saurabh
visited the afterschool program at Irving Elementary to teach traditional Indian drawing
and dancing. He also performed traditional Indian dances at the International Food
Bazaar and helped prepare authentic Indian food. He being the president of Indian
Student Association organized the India night 2017 one of the biggest diversity events
on Campus through which he shares his culture with MUS and the Bozeman community.
He volunteered with the Office of International Programs in ACIREMA to help the MSU
staff and faculty who participated better understand the experience of international
students and the struggles they can face.
He also worked as a student worker in the Office of International Programs, he helped
international students complete their applications and prepare to arrive at Montana
State University I was one of them. He serves as a peer advisor for these newly-admitted
students ? he helps prep admitted students by sharing cultural insights and the norms
of our campus and community.He goes the extra mile to make sure everyone feels included,
welcomed, and important.
Alongside being a part of Student Engagement and Global Ambassador(SEGA) he encourages
MSU student to go abroad and involve in campus actives to share their culture.
As a student, he also worked and researched with Architecture department on the Housing
First project of HRDC who are currently trying to solve the issue of Homeless people
in Bozeman Community.
Saurabh is an exemplary person and an absolute asset to the MSU community.
Nominated by Rutuja Joshi; Received award on April 11, 2018
Associate Director MSSE, MSU-Bozeman
I am pleased to nominate Diana Paterson for the Pure Gold recognition. I have known
Diana since the first day I arrived to Bozeman. Diana is a jovial, kind and resourceful
person that is always willing to go out of her way to provide assistance, even with
matters beyond her job responsibilities. Diana not only helped me and all my cohort
members, she also did it with a smile on her face. Diana is quick to respond to inquiries
and an excellent problem solver. She's been a great support during the presentation
of the capstone projects.
As an international student, I can say that she walked me through the process of
admissions, registration, selecting courses, making a program of study and even with
the presentation of my capstone. Even today, as an alum, she still helping me with
all sorts of inquiries about diplomas, transcripts, etc. People like Diana make MSU
a more welcoming place for all students and even more for international students,
who at times might feel overwhelmed by the new academic experience.
I feel confident that I speak on behalf of my cohort members when I nominate Diana
Paterson as a Pure Gold likely recipient, for sure she is asset in your institution!
Nominated by Alvaro Door; Received award on April 4, 2018
Admissions and Records, MSU-Billings
Donna treats students, staff, and faculty with patience, courteousness, respect, enthusiasm,
proficiency, and a smile. Her can-do attitude fosters an environment where everyone
benefits from having interacted with her, and thus has made her the go-to person for
students and employees. The combination of her seasoned professional expertise and
her comforting sense of humor makes her a valuable asset to the university. Her knowledgeable
background provides a foundational pillar of stability and continuity while her upbeat
characteristics bring in a sense of resourcefulness and creativity.
Donna is dedicated, hardworking, and proficient, and MSUB is fortunate to have employed
her more than 40 years ago. Donna is an excellent representative for the MSUB campus,
and the Student Affairs division in particular, exemplifying our motto of access and
excellence. She is committed to helping students succeed and eager to collaborate
with campus colleagues. Her drive in taking care of her people often generates a joke
within the office that she needs to work less and take time off. She pays particular
attention to detail when completing tasks to satisfy her students or peers.
Having been with MSU Billings for an amazing 40 years, Donna Cooper has maintained
a vast bank of knowledge. As a result, Donna is quick in sharing her knowledge to
assist anyone who asks, whether it pertains to a process that�s current or something
that happened back in the 1980s. Her years and experience in this educational institution
has enabled Donna to be an excellent facilitator. She does not tire of monotony or
routine but rather finds ways to keep things interesting, challenging, and actively
engaging. It is our duty to recognize her for her continued dedication, diligence,
and drive as she inspires us to follow in her footsteps.
Nominated by Mehmet Casey; Received award on March 28, 2018
Agricultural Education, MSU-Bozeman
As an instructor for pre-service teachers, Dr. Perry makes sure every student has
a chance to succeed in engaging and practical courses. His hands-on approach has resulted
in students building greenhouses, chicken coups, sheds and even a whole hog rotisserie
smoker. Dr. Perry is an excellent adviser and teacher.
To help grow the agricultural education profession, Dr. Perry has driven thousands
of miles around Montana to observe student teachers, facilitate workshops and connect
with current high school agriculture teachers. Dr. Perry currently serves on multiple
boards and committees focused on bettering agricultural education across Montana.
Because of this work, enrollment in agricultural education at MSU has grown rapidly
in recent years. His outreach efforts also include putting on an Agricultural Technology
and Mechanical Systems contest, which over 150 high school FFA students from throughout
Montana attend.
Dr. Perry also makes time to coach the women?s soccer team at MSU. Beyond this, Dr.
Perry serves as co-adviser for the agricultural education club on campus. He not only
helped the club get started, but continues to serve the club by taking care of the
club's pig at his house each summer, and even hosts the entire college of agriculture
for a club luau every fall.
Nominated by Austin Standley; Received award on March 21, 2018
Center for Faculty Excellence, MSU-Bozeman
Dr. Nika Stoop is exceptional. There are employees who go above and beyond, and then
there are those who live in the Big Sky stratosphere every single day. This summer,
Nika was hand selected by the President and Provost for what I like to call a Stoop-Swoop-
she came in during the 11th hour to use her creative, competent, conscientiousness
to build the university accreditation report. Nika sacrificed a lot in that time to
make sure no major balls were dropped while she juggled this third job. You might
say we owe our jobs to Nika for her work on that report! Indeed, MSU is lucky to have
Nika, and I am personally grateful for her wisdom and friendship. She still gives
me a Stoop-Swoop from time to time, even though we no longer work together as often.
For example, we just attended our last NSF investigator meeting in Washington DC.
Nika and I worked to draft up our poster - a culmination of 5 years of hard work laid
out in a giant poster to be on display to a thousand people. And I mean giant poster.
Indeed, it was so large that it did not fit in the poster tube we had purchased for
travel. When Nika messaged me that our fantastic giant poster didn't fit- I scrambled
with a "what do we do?" plea. And the next think I know? Nika writes me back and says
the poster is outside my office door. What do I see when I get there? A huge fly fishing
rod case that looks like it has been on the Yellowstone river since it first started
flowing. It is fast ingenious thinking that makes Nika pure gold to MSU. She doesn't
ever say "no" she instead says "let"s think of another way. And that type of Big Sky
attitude is exactly what makes her worthy of this award.
Nominated by Jessi Smith; Received award on March 14, 2018
Research Centers - NARC, MSU-Bozeman
As the research scientist in charge of all our on-station and off-station variety
trials at the Northern Ag Research Center, Peggy Lamb plays a crucial role in serving
our agricultural communities and the various MSU breeding programs. Peggy does not
hesitate to put in long hours to get the work done for the best quality science, and
she is always available to producers seeking information on the most appropriate crop
variety. She doesn?t let the bad times affect her, and she strives for perfection
in all she does. Peggy works hard and it cultivates an inspiration among everyone
else she works with to do the same.
As people who work closely with Peggy, we have benefited first hand from her professional
(and sometimes personal) support. Peggy?s hands-on approach to training people is
straight forward, calm, and explained in such a way that driving a big piece of farming
equipment isn?t so intimidating after all. It is obvious that Peggy cares and looks
after the professional development of her staff, through finding opportunities to
attend conferences and workshops. She is also extremely supportive and wants the best
for everyone around her. She will even offer to bring food and cold medication to
a sick colleague!
Peggy was also recognized by the Havre Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Agriculture
Advocate last June for her work over the years. This shows how well-known and well-respected
she is in the agricultural communities of the five counties we serve. The Montana
agriculture community is large, but among our small ag community, Peggy Lamb is a
titan.
NARC is like a family and Peggy is in good part responsible for this atmosphere.
NARC and our surrounding counties are blessed to call Peggy our Ag Advocate and have
her immense support and knowledge. She is a true leader. Thanks Peggy for going above
and beyond! You are Pure Gold!
Nominated by Maryse Bourgault Kasee Clark Kyla McNamara Shelly Green; Received award
on March 7, 2018
Student Success, MSU-Bozeman
{This nomination is joyfully submitted on behalf of the Campus Advising Action Team
(CAAT) }
A common aphorism states "if you want a task done right, assign it to the busiest
person you know." That statement is a perfect description of Judi Haskins' career
at MSU. In a remarkable sequence of key student-centered roles on our campus, Judi
has an unsurpassed reputation for creativity, reliability, and getting the job done.
Many of us first met Judi in 2007 when she became an influential member of the newly
established Academic Advising Council. She immediately became recognized for her ability
to help connect the national trends and best practices of academic advising with student
and faculty needs in the MSU context. Through her emerging leadership within the National
Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and a sequence of student-focused advising
roles at MSU in University Studies, Students in Transition, College of Engineering,
and the Office of the Registrar, Judi's level of applied knowledge and experience
has paralleled the growth of MSU's enrollment and student support services.
Most recently Judi has harnessed CAAT, the Campus Advising Action Team, to guide
the conception and roll-out of the ambitious Sophomore Surge program. Judi has organized
the meetings, generated the student mentor recruitment, created the training materials
and curriculum, selected the mentors, guided the new student orientation Surge assignments--and
accomplished it all in an astonishingly short timeframe measured in months!
Her effort and contagious enthusiasm truly places her among the top role models for
student-focused academic advising on our campus. Judi Haskins' relentless pursuit
of perfection ensures that each detail of the programs and services she provides will
exceed expectations: it's the definition of Pure Gold. Thank you, Judi Haskins!
Nominated by Rob Maher; Received award on February 28, 2018
NARC Livestock Crew, MSU-Bozeman
DelCurto I wanted to bring to your attention the outstanding service provided by the
MSU NARC support staff. In my 25+ years of conducting university research with beef
cattle, I have not worked with a better group of people. They are efficient, always
prepared, supportive of research, and pleasant to work with. When conducting range
beef cattle research, the routine tasks such as weighing/condition scores as well
as outfitting animals with research equipment often become all day jobs that test
the patience and resolve of support staff as well as faculty. Often this work is conducted
in less than ideal weather conditions and, to coin the phrase, �if something can go
wrong it usually will.� I have worked with this group of people extensively with winter
grazing projects, spring feed intake/milk production studies, and summer grazing projects.
We have routinely weighed/condition scored over 250 head of animals at a time and
usually completed these tasks in less than 4 hours. Recently they saddled horses around
7 AM drove 20 miles and began gathering with temperatures in the teens and a wind
chill factor of near zero. Once all the cows were gathered (10 AM) we began to process
the cows for the research project only to discover that the hydraulic squeeze chute
would not work because the oil was too cold for the electric motor. Fortunately, they
had a spare (gas powered) and we were able to process all the animals over in 4 hours.
They even had a coffee pot at the squeeze chute and provided lunch. They are a pleasure
to work with and represent MSU well. Boss Choose a job you love, and you will never
have to work a day in your life; this group epitomizes this. They are in research
because they love the cattle research & way of life. They facilitate research collecting
data or saving a calf in winter. They contribute to the most noble of causes, feeding
the world through Ag Research. Their expertise & caring allows everybody to be more
efficient. See Moving Day, K. Gorham
Nominated by Tim Delcurto Darrin Boss; Received award on February 21, 2018
Microbiology and Immunology, MSU-Bozeman
"I am not here to talk you into Microbiology. I am here to invite you to explore what
Microbiology has to offer" she said with a twinkle in her eye as she addressed the
MSU Friday students and parents. I could actually watch the faces of the young learners
light up to Kari's words. This is the effect that Kari has with any student she comes
into contact with.
If you are wanting to learn your way around the Microbiology and Immunology Department,
Kari is not only a friendly and enthusiastic face, but her passion and love for the
sciences permeates energy in the room.
Kari is inspiring in many ways: her eagerness to help, her excitement to share her
knowledge and overall the display of finest character that any academic department
would be proud to have. She teaches large fromat courses and still has time to meet
one on one with her advising students to provide them with the best help possible.
I have seen Kari be in the middle of working and stop to help a student with a question.
I am very happy to send in this nomination for Kari Cargill.
Nominated by Ceran Walker; Received award on February 14, 2018
Department of Mathematical Sciences Staff, MSU-Bozeman
The Department of Mathematical Sciences staff is truly inspiring because they go above
and beyond their job descriptions. Every semester, hundreds of students pass through
their offices with questions about pre-requisites, courses, and grading. I am continually
impressed with this team?s patience and kindness toward each, individual student.
They take time to make sure each students? mathematical course needs are met and even
get to know our graduate students on a first name basis. They care about students
as people both inside and outside of the classroom.
As a faculty member, I appreciate their willingness to put aside whatever they are
working on to help me reserve a classroom, answer an accounting question, or even
fix a copy jam. Without them, I know that I would not be able to do my job as efficiently
or as effectively. Their patience and kindness makes MSU a more enjoyable place to
work for all of us in the mathematics department. Their dedication to students across
campus inspires me to be more helpful, patient, and kind in my own interactions with
students.
Note: I could not upload all of their photos but they can all be found on the Math
Dept Website.
Nominated by Megan Wickstrom; Received award on February 7, 2018
COTS/Provost Office, MSU-Northern
To Whom it May Concern:
I would like to nominate Dr. Larry Strizich for the Gold Award as his consistently
good and diligent service to our institution and university system is extraordinary
and way above the grade. As a student, my experience was that Larry was there for
us as a professor and advisor and also served as a club advisor and leader for our
IEEE club. I saw Larry working as a professor to take the classes and senior projects
to a higher level of learning and expertise.
Later when I became a faculty member I saw Larry working in committee meetings and
COTS meetings helping all of us with accreditation and understanding the work necessary
to make our college a better part of the whole. Larry served as Chair of the COTS
for many years and helped us without our really understanding all that he did to keep
the COTS running as smoothly as it did. As Larry served as Chair of the COTS, making
sure that the Dean looked good in all aspects that he could be of service, such as
accreditation, assessment, departmental support, extra duty teaching automotive classes,
taking the brunt of any conflicts and diffusing the situation to amenable ends, grant
writing, and many other duties that I have no idea how deep his service goes, but
I know that he was and is always there in support of our efforts to make Northern
meet the needs of the students, state, and university system, the best he can and
could. I know with a certainty that everyone on this campus would sign on to this
nomination without hesitation and am surprised that it hasn't been done before. I
took pictures of him on the sly a couple of years ago, before he became Dean of the
COTS and now he has stepped up to help as Interim Provost to help Northern maintain
an even keel and stay afloat and navigate in the heavy seas of academic and financial
waters.
Thank you Larry for your unwavering commitment to excellence for Northern and your
exemplary example as a leader for our institution.
Nominated by Trygve Magelssen; Received award on January 31, 2018
Honors Program, MSU-Billings
He is the person who I have noticed cares about the students the most. He is always
available for appointments and to help both with student concerns regarding the program
or their regular studies questions.
He motivates students to try their best by showing them they are valued and appreciated.
I think this is so important in order to get students motivated. He appreciates every
effort students make, and his positive attitude towards everything is always very
uplifting.
With all the above said, he inspired me to always try my best knowing that my efforts
are going to remain appreciated.
Nominated by Miglena Ivanova; Received award on January 24, 2018
Department of Animal and Range Sciences, MSU-Bozeman
�Make hay while the sun shines" was the mantra for JT Saunders, Red Bluff Ranch Manager.
Just as haying operations were to begin in late June, unexpected staff departures
dramatically affected the crew at the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching Farm,
near the MSU campus. Understanding the predicament of the farm operations, JT, without
hesitation, drove 80 miles round trip daily from Red Bluff to Bozeman, worked exhaustive
days, and spearheaded the harvest of more than 460 acres of hay.
During this same time, the Lodgepole Fire burning in central Montana weighed heavily
on JT, having grown up in this rural area and knowing many of the people in the communities
impacted by the blaze. With modest foundation funds, he worked with Bozeman Costco
to purchase 9,000 bottles of water. After work, he and a co-worker drove through the
night to deliver the water to the Winnett Volunteer Rural Fire Department. After unloading
the pallets of water, they immediately returned to Bozeman to resume haying the next
day.
Even with taking on additional labor-intensive responsibilities, JT still managed
his duties at Red Bluff. For his inspirational and selfless dedication, JT Saunders
gets my support for making a �Pure Gold� impact.
Nominated by Patrick Hatfield; Received award on January 17, 2018
EMpower, MSU-Bozeman
Amy is always trying to help us in anyway possible coming into the AIRO tutor room
at regular intervals even just to say hi or good morning. And following up on emails
to provide us with scholarship information, EMpower meetings or anyway we can be involved
at Montana State. She sacrifices a lot of her time to go to our EMpower meetings coming
in after hours and sending emails after hours to get good speakers and really focusing
on our needs as students. Amy Stix positively impacts the community by never letting
the students in EMpower feel like they are in it alone. She does her due diligence
to create a fun, safe and good learning and growing environment/community. Amy Stix
has inspired me to help in the transition of other tribal college students to the
larger Universities, acknowledging the struggles and challenges in my own corner of
the world to look for solutions that are both impactful and inspiring.
Nominated by Gordon North Piegan; Received award on January 10, 2018