DISC Graduation Celebrations Logo

What are the DISC Graduation Celebrations?

Each May, the DISC celebrates all graduating students and acknowledges the distinct identities and value each student brings to our understanding and experience at Montana State University.  

Our annual celebrations recognize the achievements of students with underrepresented identities and those who have worked with the DISC during their time at the university.  These graduation celebrations draw from lessons, values, and tenets of various cultural backgrounds. 

What are the DISC Leader Awards?

Part of what makes Montana State University such a special community is the number of people working towards inclusion in different capacities. To honor some of this work, whether it is through research, advocacy, action, allyship, engagement or support, DISC recognizes exceptional leaders.These awards celebrate members of the MSU community who work to break down barriers, advance cultural appreciation in our community, or model excellence in cultural leadership.

2024 DISC Leader Award Nomination Form 

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Nominator Information
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Nominee Information
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Levenae Buggs

Levenae is a humble and exceptional leader for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on our campus.She engages in her work as a psychologist from a place of cultural humility and curiosity,consistently aware of how culture, identity, intersectionality, and diversity may be influencing the mental health of our students.Her commitment to systemic change is evident inhercommittee memberships and co-chair positions,outreach roles, and liaison work with student groups including QSA, BSU,andASIA,all of which centers the studentsasherfirst priority. Shehas overcome logistical obstacles to create regular connection spaces for BIPOC students,highlighting the value she places on providing a space where students with marginalized identities feel heard and supported. Sheworks collaboratively with the DISC to facilitatebiweekly DISCourseand Nuggets, anotheraccepting space thatencouragesdialogueand buildscommunity. 

Dean Brett Gunnink

Dean Gunnink is a wonderful ally to the LGBTQ+ community.Since 2017, the Norm AsbjornsonCollege of Engineering has annually provided full support for 10 of its students to attend the nationaloSTEMconference. Attending the national conference helps LGBTQ+ students build community, engage in professional development, and enhance their leadership skills. Counting this year's trip to the national conference in Anaheim, happening in the Fall of 2023, 50 students will have benefitedfrom this generous support.This year’s awardeeis not only a strong ally to the LGBTQ+ community,but he also stronglysupports other underrepresented populations in the College of Engineering.

Bukola Saliu

Bukola was the president of the African Student Association for 2 years and helped to make the ASA more structured, assign tasks and duties for officers, and develop policies and by-laws for the club. Bukola played a vital role in the success of the Night in Africa event, putting together a quality program that shared pieces of African cultures with the MSU and Bozeman communities, including food, dance, and traditions.

Hannah Crooks and Logan Oleson 

Hannah and Logan were nominated together because of the work they have done as partners:  Hannah as the president of oSTEM and Logan as the vice president. Hannah and Logan have done a fantastic job co-facilitating meetings, welcoming new members to the group, and ensuring that the oSTEM club's trip to Fairmont Hot Springs to participate in the virtual national oSTEM conference was a success. In addition, they have introduced new activities to the club such as oSTEM study sessions and fun games. Hannah and Logan have supported the success of students involved with oSTEM and they are both exemplary lavender leaders.

Allison Theobold

Madie Hansen

Mariah Hill

Mary Kujawa

Mitchell Douglas Meyer

Jerico Cummings

Ariel Donohue  

Monika Kwapisz

Alyssa Lillybridge 

Kaiden Mershon

Tim Osen

John Paxton

Eric Wold

Jamie Baird

Karen deVries

Bryce Hughes

Caroline Janssen

Kyle Melton  

Sara Rushing

Cassidy Medicine Horse