Green & Gold Spring 2019

SPRING 2019

T H E M AG A ZIN E O F R O C K Y MOUNTAI N COLLEGE

PLACES MATTER Professor Luke Ward discusses RMC’s newest major, Geography

RMC SEATS INAUGURAL DOCTORATE CLASS

CONTENTS

13 CONTRIBUTORS Halie Cardinal Robert Seas Desmond Woodbury

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jerry Kilts Liam Moya Paul Ruhter Jacob Saunders Dave Shumway

DESIGN & PRINTING Ultra Graphics

RMC EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PRESIDENT

Robert Wilmouth, M.D. PROVOST & ACADEMIC VICE PRESIDENT

Stephen Germic, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE

Brad Nason VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT

Tyler Wiltgen CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Melodie Charette DEAN OF ENROLLMENT

Austin Mapston

Green & Gold is a publication of the Office of Marketing and Communications. For more information, please contact 406.657.1105 or media@rocky.edu.

OFFICE OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

1511 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102

A NOTE from the

PRESIDENT On May 4, Rocky Mountain College will host a commencement ceremony to honor the class of 2019. This annual rite of passage marks a significant transformation in our students’ lives. It is a time of sharing, reflection, and hope. We share the joy that our students feel upon attaining their degrees after years of hard work and perseverance.

The occasion also offers an opportunity to reflect on our historic past and promising future. This issue of Green & Gold touches on our celebration of 140 years of excellence and features articles on the many exciting, transformational programs and initiatives underway at the College.

Last fall, we celebrated the new academic year by opening the Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building. In January, the inaugural class of our new occupational therapy doctorate program moved into the third floor. Over the holiday break, our IT department worked to complete MK-125, a brandnew active learning classroom in Morledge-Kimball Hall. Other highlights for the year include adding two new aircraft to our aviation program training fleet, planning a new geography major for fall 2019, and celebrating distinguished alumni at the 110th Candlelight Dinner.

The new programs and advances represent just one chapter in the long history of Rocky Mountain College. We will continue to grow and work tirelessly for the success of our students, who honor us with their extraordinary accomplishments.

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21 features LACES MATTER 3 PProfessor Luke Ward’s vision for RMC’s newest major, geography

TD INAUGURAL 13 O CLASS Robert Wilmouth, M.D. Rocky Mountain College President

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Welcome the new Occupational Therapy Doctoral program

regulars ANDLELIGHT 21 CDINNER

Tradition still strong after 110 years, coincides with 140 years of excellence celebration

019 HALL OF FAME 31 2INDUCTEES

9 CAMPUS NEWS TUDENT 19 SSPOTLIGHT 37 ALUMNI UPDATES

Athletics announces 2019 Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame

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PLACES

matter

Professor Luke Ward’s vision for RMC’s newest major... geography

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n fall 2019, Rocky Mountain College will offer a new undergraduate major in geography.

The program, headed by Associate Professor Luke Ward, Ph.D., will replace the existing environmental policy and management (EMP) program.

Dr. Ward, an enthusiastic “geo-vangelist,” has a distinct vision for the new program that will carry on the best aspects of environmental management and policy while adding geology

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and spatial components. Put simply, the new geography major represents a distilled version of the current EMP core curriculum, with geology courses substituted in place of those in business and accounting. The revamped program will focus on social and physical science perspectives of landscape change with an emphasis on skill-based classes that integrate spatial thinking and technology.

“Places matter: I’m interested in teaching

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students how to think and gather information systematically about places to answer questions that are interesting to them,” said Dr. Ward. “I tell prospective students, ‘You’re already a natural geographer, we’re just building on skills you have.’ It’s exciting to think from a geographic perspective, using an everything-is-connected approach to ponder why the landscape looks the way it does.”

Through interdisciplinary courses, unique field-work, service-learning, and internship opportunities in the Yellowstone River watershed and beyond, students in the new geography program will learn to use appropriate theoretical frameworks, research techniques and technology including spatial statistics, cartography, GIS

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and GPS, and remote sensing - to extract, analyze, and communicate information about socio-environmental topics from a spatial perspective.

As with EMP, field work is built into the curriculum. Geography majors will start off the 2019 academic year by taking the popular “Montana Rivers” course (GPY 118), which blends field experience with science.

“I want to get students on the water,” said Dr. Ward. “One thing our students do every year is a four-day float on a major river as part of a class I created called ‘Montana Rivers.’ As we go down a river, we contemplate the different forces, groups and actors, both current and historic, that give rise to the patterns on the landscape.”

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Dr. Luke Ward (right) and daughter Isabel pilot the “junk” boat during the annual Yellowstone River cleanup.

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“This year, we’re going to float the Yellowstone,” said Dr. Ward. “Another section we’ve floated in years past is the historic ‘White Cliffs’ section of the Missouri River from just downstream of Fort Benton to the Judith River, near Winifred. That’s an interesting stretch because you go past privately-owned land that dates back to the Homestead Act. You can see the patterns that the Homestead Act created on the landscape as you go past the fences that mark private versus public land. You see different land use regimens related to cattle and grazing as well as collaborative efforts to restore native cottonwoods in riparian areas.

Students can observe firsthand the differences in vegetation health between one side of the fence and the other.”

One important consideration for the shift from EMP to geography was the positive impact on positioning students for the job market. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects significant increases in jobs that carry the title of “geographer” as well as those that require geographic training and skills. These projections range from seven to 19 percent job growth between 2016 and 2026, depending on the geographic specialty.

“When we look at job applications,” said Dr. Ward, “geography tends to be more flexible in terms of how you can sell your skills. This is, in part, because of the interdisciplinary nature of geography, which combines social science,

physical science, and technology.”

Technology is an area of emphasis for the new program. Dr. Ward recently purchased a drone and obtained a commercial pilot’s license with the intent of integrating drone use at all class levels.

“The camera on the drone is one type of remote sensor, but much of what we focus on in remote sensing courses is beyond the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum,” said Dr. Ward. “We’ll also use infrared and thermal imaging, which measures solar energy reflected off different surfaces. With these data, you can do all sorts of things, including monitor vegetation health and calculate evapotranspiration, a measure of the loss of water from the soil both by evaporation and by transpiration from the leaves of the plants growing on it.”

“Another technology I’m excited about is called Structure from Motion, which lets you take multiple pictures of the same target from different angles,” said Dr. Ward. “The software then looks for matches. For example, with a person, it might match up the ear or the shoulder and then, over multiple iterations, generate a 3D point cloud.”

The field work component of the program allows undergraduate students the rare opportunity to participate in graduatelevel research. This feature, unique to the environmental programs at Rocky, offers

students a chance to build their resumes while still in college.

“If you’re a motivated student, you have an opportunity to engage beyond the classroom,” said Dr. Ward. “You’ll be involved in real-world research projects and can get internships with government agencies or non-governmental organizations.”

Examples of the types of research projects students can contribute to include: studying islands in the Yellowstone watershed to track changes in island extent and vegetation cover using GIS mapping and remote sensing techniques; analyzing and comparing urban development patterns in different parts of Billings in collaboration with local groups involved in zoning and urban planning projects; and collaborating with the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council and its members on data collection and education and outreach components of their efforts to improve irrigation water management and control invasive woody plant species (russian olive, salt cedar and common buckthorn).

“The applied research is key,” said Dr. Ward.

“It’s a great experience for students to practice thinking spatially, using specialized technology, and managing data on real-world problems.

We’re training students to charge into the workforce or go on to graduate school. I want to do that, of course, but I also want to give them the skills to forge their own path.”

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”

“I am very appreciative to have flown Rocky Mountain College’s new aircraft back from Florida. Through this experience, I expanded my horizons and developed as a pilot. We gathered great information to make effective flight decisions using the new systems installed in the aircraft.”

– LUKE WARD Rocky Mountain College expands fleet with two new Piper Archer III aircraft The Rocky Mountain College aviation program has added two new 2018 Piper Archer III aircraft to expand its training fleet.

Rocky Mountain College’s fleet consists of five Piper Archer III aircraft, manufactured between 2002 and 2006, a Beechcraft Bonanza, a Beechcraft Baron, and a Cessna 172. The addition of the two 2018 Piper Archer III planes will provide students and faculty access to the latest in cutting-edge aviation technology and better prepare graduates for the instruments they will encounter throughout their careers.

The new planes will expand the amount of flight instruction provided by the program while also reducing maintenance time and costs.

The 2018 Piper Archer III is a modern, advanced aircraft perfect for educating pilots-in-training on current aviation technology. Features unique to the aircraft include a glass cockpit, autopilot technology, and a fuel-injected engine. The glass cockpit features the GARMIN G1000 Avionics Suite, which increases the capability and performance of the flight deck. The cockpit system features a high resolution horizontal situation indicator (HSI) map, a surface watch, 3-D Synthetic Vision, and other computing features new to trainer aircraft cockpits.

“The addition of two new Piper Archer III planes advances our

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program technologically and moves us toward a continued pursuit of excellence,” said Director of Aviation, Dan Hargrove. “Modernizing the fleet will help our students achieve successful careers within the airline and corporate industries.”

Aviation students of varying experience levels will have opportunities to fly the new aircraft over the course of their time within the program.

However, senior students will initially gain more flight time with the two new planes. Modernizing the fleet with the new 2018 Piper Archer III aircraft advances the program, moving courses toward the high end of avionics. Students will now be introduced to technology commonplace in advanced sectors of the aviation industry, expanding their career opportunities.

The purchase of the new aircraft was made possible by the generosity of a lead gift from the AJ Blain Foundation and the support of 16 other donors, companies, and foundations.

Innovative aviation technology spans across

AGE: 19 HOMETOWN: Missoula, Montana

| CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

MAJOR: Aeronautical Science

Piper Aircraft, Inc., a general aviation manufacturer established in 1927, manufactures the 2018 Piper Archer III. The College sent qualified, well-trained pilots to retrieve the aircraft from Piper’s headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida.

Lead Flight Instructor Seth Livengood, aviation staff member Matt Mauland, and aviation student Luke Ward made the journey to fly the aircraft to Billings.

Ward reflects on the experience as an invaluable lesson in avionics, especially as a pilot-in-training.

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Aircraft | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 all areas of the program as students also have access to sophisticated simulators, including a state-of-the-art Canadair Regional Jet flight management system simulator. Providing the latest in aviation technology positions the program to continue educating and training future aviation industry professionals and leaders.

“Growing our fleet will allow for an increased capacity to handle additional students in the program. There’s tremendous national demand for pilots, which is phenomenal for the College, the program, and the country,” said Hargrove. “The College provides a well-rounded liberal arts education, focused on academic success and personal growth. Students gain experience across different disciplines, allowing them to communicate, team build, solve, and lead. These skills are vital to the aviation industry. The best part about this program is that the

RMC installs new active learning classroom In January, Rocky Mountain College welcomed students to MK-125, a brand-new active learning classroom in Morledge-Kimball Hall. The classroom, funded by a generous grant from the Sunderland Foundation, supports the College’s broader commitment to transformational learning.

“With our low student-to-faculty ratio, active learning is built-in at Rocky: Our professors already engage with students one-on-one,” said Assistant Professor of Biology, Holly Basta, Ph.D., who is leading a faculty development initiative in active learning. “The new classroom gives us exciting tools to build on this strength.”

“MK-125 is designed to be student-centric,” said Dr. Basta. “In traditional classrooms, it’s physically difficult to do anything but face forward and listen to the professor. In this new, active learning classroom, students face each other and work together.”

Active learning is characterized by student engagement, participation, and collaboration.

Rather than passively absorbing course content, students actively demonstrate, analyze, and apply course knowledge and disciplinary methods in the classroom. An increasing body of evidence indicates that active learning methods improve critical thinking skills, increase the retention and transfer of new information, increase student motivation, and improve interpersonal skills. In active learning classrooms, students work and learn together – mentoring one another, holding each other accountable, and communicating about the challenges of the course content.

The RMC IT department worked with AVI Systems through the winter holiday break to prepare the technology-enhanced classroom for the 2019 spring term. The new classroom features four learning stations

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mission of Rocky Mountain College is at the core of everything we do.”

with seating at each for up to nine students.

Each station includes a 55” flat screen monitor, connections for student laptops, and document cameras to enable projections from any device to any display, including the station monitors and large projection screen at the front of the classroom. The room easily adapts to the current BYOD (Bring your own device) culture and gives students a better source for unified communication and collaboration.

“Studies have shown that while active learning benefits all students, it is particularly impactful for those who are disadvantaged,” said Dr. Basta. “This new classroom helps level the playing field. When you start engaging in groups and allowing students to speak and lead the lecture, they have skin in the game. And, importantly, the professors have feedback on how students are performing. They can address misconceptions and more accurately judge comprehension levels across the entire class.

As a professor, if you stand there lecturing the entire time, you don’t know who’s falling behind.”

Currently, sociology and English are being taught in the new classroom as part of a soft launch. The renovated classroom is expected to provide an active learning setting for at least 350 students during the 2019-2020 academic year.

The Sunderland Foundation was established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, who served as president of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years as a highly respected leader in the cement industry. In 2018, the Foundation awarded more than $48 million to over 45 educational organizations. Grantees included community colleges, private colleges, and public universities.

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Rocky Moutain College

SEATS

INAUGURAL DOCTORATE

CLASS O

ver ten years ago, Dr. Twylla Kirchen met Dr. Kalyn Briggs while both pursuing Ph.D. degrees in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University. They found they had much in common, including growing up in eastern Montana, and they made plans to someday return home to start an Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program.

On January 7, 2019, after years of planning, that dream became reality as they welcomed the inaugural class of the new OTD program at Rocky Mountain College. The program, housed on the third floor of the new Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building, is unique in many ways.

“We’re extremely excited about our inaugural class,” said OTD Program Founding Director, Twylla Kirchen, Ph.D. “We have a diverse group of students from all over the country, including Hawaii, New Jersey, and Louisiana, to name a few. About a third of our class of 30 students come from Montana.”

The program prepares students to become practitioners, educators, and researchers who promote the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals, communities, organizations, and populations. Occupational

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”

“For occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students, diversity increases cultural humility, which is vital for therapist-client relationships.”

therapy is a rising profession, especially within the Rocky Mountain region. It is the goal of the OTD program to not only educate students within the program, but also to educate local constituents about the role of occupational therapy in community health.

The facility in the new Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building includes classroom space and learning laboratories complete with kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom spaces that replicate the field conditions that occupational therapists face.

Designing the program from the ground up gave Dr. Kirchen the opportunity to do things differently.

“There are many online programs where the majority of the work is done on computers with students seldom visiting campus,” said Dr. Kirchen. “Our program is for hands-on learners who want to be completely comfortable with what they’re doing. It’s one-hundred percent face-to-face. It’s only the third week of classes and we have had simulated patients come in for practice consultations. The students are

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”

“The mind-body-spirit connection is vital to our approach.”

already introducing themselves, describing what occupational therapy is, taking pain assessments, taking vitals, and donning a gait belt.”

“We’ve already started clinical practices,” said Joe Cangialosi, an OTD student from Wayne, New Jersey. “We’re learning things most other OTD programs don’t tackle until year two. All aspects of the program fit together and line up perfectly. I couldn’t be more satisfied with our progress.”

One unique aspect of the program is that it’s student-led. The program will be executed in part through a series of seminar courses that comprise interdisciplinary teams of students and faculty who identify a need within the

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community. The student-led treatment team will examine the occupational performance challenge through a theory-driven, evidencebased lens, critically analyzing the environment, activity and person-based supports and challenges to occupational performance.

Careful consideration and focus will be placed on farmers and ranchers, particularly those who are unable to engage in specific work-related occupations due to injury, illness, or aging.

“I was looking at a program in Alaska,” said Taylor Clark, an OTD student from Albuquerque, New Mexico. “What changed my mind was my interview here. Dr. Kirchen and Dr. Briggs are charismatic and they stressed the student-led nature of the program. We decide where we

want to go and they make the path for us. I thought that was a great message for them to send, plus I loved the thought of being part of an inaugural class and creating that footprint.”

One goal for the program was diversity, both in terms of students and faculty. Currently, more than a quarter of the program’s students and half the faculty come from underrepresented populations. Diversity enhances the educational environment for all by bringing a broad range of experience to the table. For occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students, diversity increases cultural humility, which is vital for successful therapist-client relationships and meaningful professional development.

“The diversity we’ve established puts

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Dr. Kayln Briggs (left) and Dr. Twylla Kirchen (above) met while both pursuing Ph.D. degrees in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University.

our program on the map,” said Dr. Kirchen.

“Accreditors look at diversity, which is a mission for the profession as a whole. Having that diversity from the start truly distinguishes our program.”

Another unique feature of the program is a focus on business and entrepreneurship skills.

“I was drawn to the fact that there were business classes,” said Makia Talley, an OTD student from Kennewick, Washington. “If we want to own our own occupational therapy practice, we need those practical skills. That training will help us as we go to enter the workforce in a few years.”

“We recognize the importance of entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Kirchen. “Many of our students are interested in having their own business, clinic, or program, so we included a seminar series where a subject matter expert teaches students business skills such as how to build a business model and obtain funding.

That business training is rare in occupational therapy.”

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One of the biggest challenges Dr. Kirchen has faced in launching the new program is helping people on campus and in the community understand the difference between occupational therapy and other medical professions.

“There’s a tendency to compare occupational therapy with other healthcare disciplines,” said Dr. Kirchen. “Occupational therapists are not diagnosticians; we’re therapists who work on physical rehabilitation and mental health. We help people get back to function and living. Patients are born with a condition or have an illness or disability. Occupational therapists take a holistic approach with the patient to truly connect with them and help get them back to their highest level of function. The mindbody-spirit connection is vital to our approach.”

The new OTD program requires 115 credit hours to be completed over three academic years. The mission and curriculum design of the program reflect the community and align with the area’s economy, addressing a critical shortage of occupational therapists in the immediate region and beyond. There are approximately 300 occupational therapists in Montana, far fewer than many other states.

“There are school districts in rural parts of Montana that have waited over ten years for an occupational therapist,” said Dr. Kirchen. “There’s a significant need and vast shortage of occupational therapists in Montana and the surrounding states.”

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Student

SPOTLIGHT

ANDREW SHIFFER AGE: 30 HOMETOWN: Toccoa, Georgia MAJOR: Health and Human Performance K-12 Education

WHERE WERE YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED? I’m originally from Toccoa, Georgia. It’s a small town in northeast Georgia about one hour and forty-five minutes northeast of Atlanta.

My upbringing was great. My dad was a police officer, my mom was a teacher, and I have two older sisters.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO JOIN THE MILITARY? As an older student, I still remember 9/11. I was only in middle school at the time, but that stuck with me. I always wanted to do something more. You are eligible to enlist in the reserves or National Guard at seventeen with a parent’s

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permission. As soon as I turned seventeen, I was hounding my parents to sign the papers. I really had an urge to enlist.

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN BASIC TRAINING? I went to basic training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma while still attending high school. As one of the younger soldiers, the experience was eye-opening. I really enjoyed it. I went in the summer of 2006, and it was extremely hot, nearly in the hundreds most days. It was a unique experience.

AFTER BASIC TRAINING, WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IN YOUR MILITARY CAREER? When you sign up for the military, you get assigned a job or a Military Occupational Specialty code. Once assigned, you enter job training called Advanced Individual Training. I was an ammunitions specialist, which meant storing, shipping, receiving, and issuing ammunition. By the end of March 2008, I was staged in Kuwait before officially deploying to Iraq. I was stationed in Iraq from April 2008 to January 2009. After returning home in January, I found out that my unit was leaving for Afghanistan. By the end of that year, I once again deployed. I arrived in Afghanistan on Christmas Day in 2009.

WHAT IS A MEMORABLE LESSON FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY? One of the main aspects you take away is the time spent with the people you served alongside. Love them or hate them, they’re your family while deployed. They’re the ones that have your back. I cherish the friendships I still have with everybody. Having that brotherhood instills a need to help other veterans, which is perhaps the most important lesson learned from my military experience.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE? After returning from my deployment, I decided to attend college.

The readjustment period was difficult. I was trying to figure out who I

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was after being away for two years. I eventually moved to Montana. I started searching for schools in the area that offered a degree in physical education but also had a great veterans presence on campus. Rocky Mountain College checked every box. I love it here; it’s a great school.

HOW DID YOU INITIALLY BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE RMC STUDENT VETERANS CLUB? Well, it’s kind of funny. Walking around with a big beard on campus, people either peg you for a wilderness nut or a veteran. Former Community Engagement Coordinator, Jill Washburn, saw me walking with my roommate Dawson, who’s also in the military. Jill paused for a moment and asked, ‘Veteran?’ and invited us to a Student Veterans Club meeting. She welcomed us with open arms. I was the club’s treasurer last year. This year, I stepped into the role of president.

OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE RMC STUDENT VETERANS CLUB HOSTED A MILITARY APPRECIATION GAME. HOW DID THIS EVENT START? It was definitely a group effort. Another veteran on campus, Edward Tanzosh, had a major role in this event happening. We wanted to have an event where you’d have to look for the game because there were so many other veterans-related activities or information happening during the night. We thought it

would be great to have our military appreciation event coincide with basketball. We then had the idea to make special jerseys and then it morphed into having the RMC men’s and women’s teams playing in honor of those killed in action. With the help of the College, we made the event happen.

WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE MILITARY APPRECIATION GAME? The Military Appreciation Game honors soldiers killed in action and the memory of military members who lost their battle with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many veterans know someone who’s affected by PTSD. The common statistic used across the United States is 22 soldiers a day commit suicide. We are all affected by issues surrounding suicide. It absolutely tears me apart when you hear about one of your brothers or sisters who has served not wanting to be here anymore. We all have baggage when we return from deployment and everybody handles it differently. The first step is talking about our issues. That’s the first step in healing. Since I have PTSD, I talk to the Billings Vet Center whenever I have something to get off my chest.

This year’s game held even deeper meaning for me as Satchel McDonald played for a close friend of mine, Joel Lawton. Joel was just a great guy. I’m a firm believer that one momentary lapse in judgement doesn’t define someone’s entire life. Joel is the poster boy for that. We want to honor what he did when he was alive. We want to bring awareness to people who might need help. I think 22 a day is an unacceptable statistic.

WHAT ARE YOUR POST-GRADUATION GOALS? I’m in my last semester here at Rocky. Currently, I’m student teaching at Billings West High School and loving every minute. I believe everybody goes through an ebb and flow of wanting to do a certain career. I feel like every time I step in the classroom that’s where I need and want to be. My goal is to remain in Billings after I graduate and become a teacher.

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rekindles

rmc

candlelight dinner

TRA DITIO N

every year

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RMC seniors Rachel Carney, Zoe Aponte and Shannon Fisher at Candlelight Dinner.

n October 1909, Ernest and Lewis Eaton had hoped to welcome students to their new educational venture, Billings Polytechnic Institute (BPI), the first post-secondary institution in Billings and current site of Rocky Mountain College. Unfortunately, construction delays forced them to postpone the opening of the school.

To provide classrooms and accommodations for nearly 100 incoming students, the brothers rented space at various locations throughout Billings, including the public library, the Odd Fellows Hall, the YMCA, and a building owned by John Losekamp, who was an early financial supporter of the institution.

By the close of 1909, construction of the new campus was nearing completion. Eaton Hall, the first permanent structure, along with four dormitories and a heating plant, marked the beginning. On the afternoon of January 31, 1910, students, faculty, and staff moved to the new campus.

Led by College President Lewis Eaton, the group traveled through the frigid afternoon in hay wagons loaded with trunks, kitchen supplies, furniture, and bedding. The ungraded path, now Rimrock Road, leading the group to the new campus was nearly impassable. Eventually the group arrived, weary from the harsh conditions.

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After transferring baggage to the dormitories, everyone made their way to the dining hall. As dusk settled on the new campus, it was clear the electrical work was incomplete. Ernest Eaton, known for his preparedness, came to the rescue with a box of candles. Tin cans and bottles served as candleholders.

Mrs. Mary Valitan, the first poly matron, had prepared dinner before their travels. The menu was meat, baked beans, potatoes, and doughnuts. Guests battled frozen water mains, lost eating utensils, and a lack of electricity.

Despite the inconveniences, all in attendance shared a hearty dinner, sang and made speeches to mark the occasion. As the evening concluded, the students each took a single candle and returned to their dormitories.

The students deemed their memorable first meal on campus an event worth commemorating. Every year since, students, faculty, and staff have come together to celebrate the Candlelight Dinner that marked that first evening on campus.

This year, the 110th Candlelight Dinner coincided with the College’s anniversary celebration of 140 years of excellence. From its inception in 1878, the College has grown stronger and gained momentum. Early struggles have given way to exceptional growth and development.

Long standing traditions, such as Candlelight Dinner, remind the College community of its determination, hard work, and perseverance in the face of challenges. These celebrations represent a glimpse into the long and continuing history of Rocky Mountain College.

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Spirit of Candlelight Award Dr. David Shenton

Dr. Shenton attended Candlelight Dinner with his wife, Sondra, and daughter, Kellan.

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Alumni Award Recipients

Continues to build connection with Rocky Mountain College Driven by a fondness for the region and a passion for outdoor recreation, David Shenton, M.D., moved to Billings, Montana in the early 1990s.

“Sports medicine has been the central focus of my professional efforts for many years.

When I got to Billings, there were no fellowshiptrained orthopedic surgeons specializing in sports medicine. I thought, ‘This is wide open, no one has done this,’” said Dr. Shenton.

Seizing the opportunity to fulfill a regional need, Dr. Shenton began practicing orthopedicbased sports medicine. He went on to start an annual conference, the Magic City Sports Medicine Conference, which offers regional providers continuing medical education.

Through the conference and his focus on sports medicine, Dr. Shenton has had a major impact on the regional community.

In 1992, Dr. Shenton found a second home at Rocky Mountain College as team physician for the Battlin’ Bears. He recalls many fond memories on the sidelines with his daughter, Kellan, at his side.

“One experience that stands out was the year David Short threw a Hail Mary pass at the end of a football game,” said Dr. Shenton. “Rocky won and made the playoffs. I saw a video of it later, and I was running onto the field at the end. I was jumping up and down while celebrating with everyone. As the team doctor, I’m supposed to stay neutral, but I couldn’t at that moment.”

When the College launched a physician assistant program over 20 years ago, Dr. Shenton was naturally involved as the Battlin’ Bears team physician. He later became a leader and instructor for the program. Shenton’s daughter, Kellan, also became involved with the program and earned both undergraduate and PA degrees from the College.

Forming bonds with the College and its students remains an integral part of Shenton’s professional focus today. “Through Rocky’s physician assistant program, I meet so many wide-eyed young students,” said Shenton. “It’s amazing to see their passion and excitement. I

get to see everything over again through their eyes. It then occurs to me that, ‘yeah, I used to be just like that!’”

Dr. Shenton spent much of his career at Ortho Montana as a medical doctor and certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Over the course of his career, he has worked with many promising Rocky graduates.

“Many physician assistants at Ortho Montana are from the Rocky Mountain College program.

They’re just awesome,” said Dr. Shenton. “I feel privileged to be involved with Rocky. It’s a great school, and the physician assistant program is turning out people who are changing the world.

I would hate to hang up my hat without passing along the knowledge and passion I’ve picked up over the years.”

As of July 2017, Dr. Shenton has taken on the role of a faculty member as the medical director of the RMC Physician Assistant Program. Recently retired from Ortho Montana, Dr. Shenton continues to serve Rocky Mountain College by demonstrating a lifelong focus on health and education.

His commitment to the College and impact on the wider community led to his selection for this year’s Spirit of Candlelight Award.

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Distinguished Alumni Award John Goodheart ‘03

Dr. William Tantum ‘09

Pursues life-long passion through RMC education

Providing eye care services to those in need through LOVE Eye Care

John Goodheart applied to Rocky Mountain College for its focus on academic success and personal growth. He had a desire to learn, experience, and explore, but more importantly, succeed. From the moment he stepped onto campus, Goodheart felt welcomed and encouraged to be a part of the Rocky community.

“During one of my initial visits to campus, the chaplain immediately greeted me.

Everyone across campus from the admissions staff to faculty members were welcoming.

Rocky Mountain College felt like home,” said Goodheart.

Rocky offered Goodheart instrumental, vocal, and academic scholarships. These various scholarship offerings afforded Goodheart the opportunity to pursue his education.

“After my acceptance, I received several scholarships from the College. My education was very affordable compared to a state school because of those scholarship opportunities,” said Goodheart.

As a member of choir, band, and jazz band, choosing the most memorable moment at Rocky proved nearly impossible.

“I studied abroad in Germany and Austria, touring art museums and attending concerts.

It was an incredible opportunity to experience the music and art of Bavaria. While abroad, we performed a four-hundred-year-old song in a beautiful church. Hearing the song in that environment was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever experienced. Rocky Mountain College made that moment possible,” said Goodheart.

John Goodheart graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 2003 with a degree in music education. Today, he teaches band, grades five through twelve, at Billings Skyview and Riverside Middle School in Billings, Montana. He credits Rocky Mountain College with instilling a passion to help his students succeed and feel welcome.

“One of my goals in the classroom is to teach students to make the world a better place. I encourage students to spread kindness and love.

And that’s what I learned at Rocky. The campus community welcomed me and made my world a better place. All of my professors truly cared and wanted me to succeed. That passion is a

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Outstanding Young Alumni Award

true inspiration for my teaching career,” said Goodheart.

As a music teacher, Goodheart dedicates his efforts towards educating his students on the power and importance of music. He encourages his students to engage with the broader community through performance.

“Each year, I form a band which comprises students from local high schools. Our ‘Superband’ practices in the summer to lead the Survivors Lap at Relay for Life. Our performance at Relay for Life is an impactful moment for the students and cancer survivors,” said Goodheart.

This year, John Goodheart is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for his commitment to music education and support of the local community. Goodheart continuously provides students with experiential learning opportunities in the Billings school district and emphasizes an exploration of the creative process. Goodheart’s impact extends beyond the classroom as he delivers the same level of commitment by making a difference in his church community. John has graciously dedicated countless hours to the remodel of Peace Lutheran’s sanctuary, teaches confirmation, ran a youth praise team for five years, and is active in the annual youth retreat, Chrysalis. Goodheart continues to have a positive impact on the lives of his students and community.

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2019

William Tantum, O.D., was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, surrounded by University of Tennessee football and the Smoky Mountains. Having never been west of the Mississippi River, he remained close to home and enrolled in Maryville College for two years before applying to Rocky Mountain College.

Tantum knew he wanted to explore more of the world while in pursuit of his degree. This wanderlust would lead him to Billings, Montana.

“One day I searched ‘Best Colleges in Montana’ online and Rocky Mountain College appeared. I visited the website and fell in love. I was fortunate to attend Maryville College, but Rocky was always in the back of my mind,” said Tantum.

While attending Rocky Mountain College, Tantum sought experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom. When an optometry internship opportunity in Laurel, Montana, presented itself, Tantum jumped at the chance to take on the challenge. Dr. Benner, an instructor for the RMC Physician Assistant program, offered Tantum the internship.

As the son of an optometrist and biology major, optometry was a natural career choice. Tantum’s passion to help others through eye care led him to follow in his father’s footsteps.

Soon after graduating from Southern College of Optometry in 2014, Tantum purchased a 2,000-square-foot eye care practice in Maryville, Tennessee. In just 14 months Dr. Tantum’s small business, housed in a strip mall, expanded into a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot eye care clinic.

His original practice comprised a single doctor and four staff members.

One year after breaking ground on the new facility, his practice expanded to 35 staff members and six full-time doctors, including the region’s first pediatric optometrist. Blount County Eye Center (BCEC), named a Best Practice in America by CooperVision USA in 2017, remains one of the fastest growing practices in the southeast region.

Tantum also created LOVE Eye Care, a program dedicated to providing eyewear and eye care for individuals in need. The program aims to show simple, intentional acts of kindness through eyewear and eye care. Eye care professionals in the program seek to have a sustainable impact on those in need through the belief that an individual’s vision and eye health are fundamental to their overall quality of life.

“I wanted to be a doctor who made a difference in the world. I thought about what I could do to make an impact through eye care and eyewear.

In 2014, I created LOVE Eye Care,” said Tantum.

The program now includes LOVE Haiti, which refurbishes gently used eyewear for Haitians in need; LOVE Eye Care + Eyewear @ BCEC, which provides no-cost eye exams and glasses to individuals in need; LOVE Guatemala, which donates one eyewear frame to a partner clinic in Guatemala each time someone purchases a frame from BCEC; and LOVE Blount County, which provides no-cost eyewear and eye care to Blount County locals with barriers. His clinic has provided over 200 no-cost exams and glasses to the local community. Between 2014 and 2018, his clinic has sent over 10,000 frames to Guatemala.

“In this region and beyond, there are many people living in poverty.

People need and deserve continuity of care. When we started LOVE Eye

Care, one of the local television stations featured our practice. The program exploded after that feature story. We became overwhelmed by the number of people who needed help. We then expanded LOVE Eye Care into a full-time program,” said Tantum.

In addition to his successful business expansion and philanthropic efforts, Tantum is the recipient of the following awards: 40 Under 40: Blount Co. (2019); Leadership Blount Class of 2019 WIVK-Lexus Leader for Community Service (2017); Hayes Center Practice of Excellence Finalist (2018); Review of Optometry Office Design Contest Winner (2017); America’s Finest Optical Retailer (2016); CooperVision Best Practices in America (2017); Best of Blount: Small Business of the Year (2016); and Regions Pinnacle Business Award Finalist for Young Entrepreneur and Community Impact Awards (2018).

At this year’s 110th Candlelight Dinner, the College honored Tantum with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Tantum epitomizes the meaning of a Rocky Mountain College Distinguished Young Alumni through a continued commitment to helping those in need and his ever-expanding success within the eye care industry.

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140 YEARS

CELEBRATING

1878

1898

1918

1888

1908

Lewis and Ernest Eaton reopened the College of Montana. The Eaton brothers left the school in 1908 and the school was administered by the Presbyterian Church.

1878

1904

Billings Polytechnic Institute moved to a permanent location on 60 acres of irrigated land west of Billings. The first Candlelight Dinner was held in January 1910.

1890

Montana Wesleyan College opened in Helena, featuring a 205 acre campus in the Prickly Pear section of the Helena Valley.

1910-18

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1958

1998

2018

1988

2008

Bair Family Center for the Sciences was dedicated.

1959 Institute for Peace Studies was established.

First master’s degree offered in Physician Assistant program.

2003

1981 The Paul M. Adams library was constructed at a cost of $275,000.

Enhancements to Herb Klindt Field.

The upgrades were required in order to locate the new science building on the site of the old football practice field.

2016

1978 1968

Intermountain Union College gained accreditation status. A year later, the Helena earthquakes of October 18 and 31 destroyed the Intermountain Union College campus.

1934-36

1987-88 The Equestrian Studies and Aviation programs were founded. Student enrollment was 364 in 1987.

1948

1910 Financial support from the Congregational church, James J. Hill, Mrs. Martha Kimball, Mrs. Amos Prescott, John D. Losekamp, and Billings business leaders provided for further land purchases and building projects.

Fortin Education Center was dedicated on October 26.

1938 1928

1997 - 2003

1969

Billings Polytechnic Institute and Intermountain Union College merged. The students of the newly merged institution petitioned for the name “Rocky Mountain College.”

The Billings Polytechnic Institute’s purchase of the Billings Business College in October 1927 added close to 100 students to total enrollment.

Deer Lodge campus circa 1880. Montana Collegiate Institute was renamed “College of Montana” in 1883.

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1947

1927

1880

Montana Collegiate Institute founded in Deer Lodge, Montana,

by Edwin H. Irvine.

Extensive renovation of Bair Family Student Center, residence halls, Morledge Walkway, Herb Klindt Football Complex, Wendy’s Soccer Field and Paul Adams Library now known as the DeRosier Educational Resource Center.

Lewis and Ernest Eaton moved to Billings and incorporated Billings Polytechnic Institute (BPI). The brothers were introduced to John D. Losekamp, who had long had an interest in promoting education.

1908

OF EXCELLENCE

2018 1990

The Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building was completed in spring 2018. The Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building is one of the most advanced laboratory facilities in the region.

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ATHLETICS

NEWS

2009 NAIA National Championship Men’s Basketball Team inducted into

2019 HALL OF FAME O

n March 24, 2009, the Rocky Mountain College men’s basketball team cemented their place in school history by defeating Columbia College 77-61 in the 2009 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship.

A testament to an incredible achievement, the 2009 championship trophy still sits on display in the Fortin Education Center. It will soon have company.

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“This year, the 2009 NAIA National Championship men’s basketball team will become a member of the 2019 Hall of Fame class,” said Rocky Mountain College Director of Athletics, Jeff Malby. “They personified the proud tradition of Rocky Mountain College athletics.

We are proud to announce this championship team and the other individuals who will receive the College’s highest athletic honor.”

The 2009 championship team’s story is one of resiliency. Losing 71-53 to Westminster in the Frontier Conference Championship, Rocky entered the national tournament as unseeded

underdogs.

“Rolling into the national tournament after getting beat by 18, there is self-doubt in your mind as a coach,” said Wes Keller, who was the men’s assistant coach under Head Coach Bill Dreikosen during the championship run.

“Thankfully, we had good senior leadership. Our starting five knew how to win and they never got rattled.”

They would need that confidence. Over the course of a week, the Battlin’ Bears would have to defeat four teams to secure a spot in the championship.

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Coach Wes Keller and Coach Bill Dreikosen celebrate after fulfilling a promise to allow the team to shave their heads after winning the 2009 NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

During the first round, Rocky narrowly slipped past Freed-Hardeman University in a close 78-77 overtime thriller. Holding Central Methodist to just 62 points in a second round win, the Battlin’ Bears downed tournament veterans Concordia University and Robert Morris University in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Trailing by double digits at halftime in three of those four tournament games, Rocky stayed composed under pressure and always found a way to win.

“We faced a lot of tough teams, but we all thought we belonged and that we could win,” said James Bulluck, a starting forward during the championship season. “In the locker room

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we talked about how we weren’t ready for the season to be over yet. To keep it going, you had to keep winning. So we kept grinding. All of us, from top to bottom.”

Suddenly only Columbia College stood in the way of the national title. The 2009 championship was the first game in the history of the NAIA Men’s Basketball Division I National Tournament in which two unseeded tournament teams faced each other in the championship.

Rocky’s momentum was strong. By halftime, Rocky led Columbia College by 21 points.

“The team didn’t let their own success distract them,” said Dreikosen. “We stayed calm and focused on the game.”

“We didn’t really focus on the championship

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Congratulations 2019 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES TEAM: 2009 Men’s Basketball Team INDIVIDUALS: Mark Adams Paul Edwards Jeannie McGonagle Jake Stuart WILLIAM “BILL” WOOLSTON DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD: during the game. We knew we wanted to come out and play the hardest we could and see what happens,” said Bulluck. “It worked out in our favor. The game was awesome. Seeing the people who made it down and knowing it was my last game as a college player...the energy was electric.”

All five of Rocky’s starters scored in the double digits. Forward Devin Uskoski paved the way for the Battlin’ Bears with an incredible 24 points and 20 rebounds. Guard Nate Richardson scored 14 points while Chase Sukut and James Bulluck posted 11 point performances in addition to Anthony Allen’s 10.

“You’re never confident until the buzzer sounds,” Keller remarked. “Coach Dreikosen gets pretty fired up. He finally sits down and I turn to him and I say ‘Enjoy this. This might never happen again. We’re doing something a majority of people don’t get to do. Let’s enjoy the last moments.’”

The Battlin’ Bears won 77-61, an eighteen point difference, over Columbia College.

Streamers fell down on top of the team as they gathered together to celebrate

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Rick Reid & Crew

the victory. Rocky’s Devin Uskoski was awarded Tournament MVP for his incredible performance.

Holding the trophy aloft, the players posed for a picture with the big red banner declaring them national champions before taking turns cutting down the net.

Eventually the celebrations died down.

The gym emptied. But Dreikosen remained behind. “I just sat in the gym. The maintenance guys were the only ones walking around. It was empty, and I just sat there. I didn’t want to leave,” said Dreikosen. “I didn’t want the moment to end.”

Rocky Mountain College and the Billings community welcomed the team back with open arms. Fans lined Rimrock Road cheering as

the team approached. A crowd of students greeted the players as they stepped off the bus.

A ceremony was held in Fortin Education Center with students crowding the bleachers with signs and banners signaling their support of the national champions.

“Somewhere along the line, we made a bet with the guys that if we win it all, they could shave our heads,” Keller remarked with a smile.

“They shaved our heads right in front of everybody in the bleachers” A decade has passed. The team has since graduated and gone their separate ways. The hair may have grown back, yet the legacy remains.

The championship banner hangs above First Interstate Bank Court.

The net sits atop the trophy in a display case on the upper concourse.

Coach Keller is still with the Battlin’ Bears. He has been the head coach of the Rocky Mountain College women’s basketball program since 2014. Bulluck now works as an assistant men’s basketball coach for Rocky Mountain College. He also coaches Rocky’s junior varsity men’s team.

Coach Dreikosen ranks among the winningest active coaches in NAIA DI Men’s Basketball. He is still the head men’s basketball coach for Rocky Mountain College, a position he has held for two decades.

“My favorite memory has to be my faith in the Lord.” He sits at his desk, arms folded at his chest, recalling an event that happened a decade prior. “There was a peace in me during the tournament that wasn’t my own. I’ve been able to use that experience as a platform to talk about my faith during the tournament. That is the best part.”

The 2009 championship team will be honored with the other inductees of the 2019 Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame class during Homecoming on September 21, 2019.

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Updates

Have you started a new job? Did you get married? Any new additions to your family? We would love to hear all about your news and share the update with fellow alumni. Please visit our website (rocky.edu/alumni) and fill out our alumni news form to submit your update for publication in our Alumni & Friends Newsletter, Green & Gold magazine, or on our website.

DENNIS GERKE (‘83) was inducted into the

BILL BOWERS (‘81) continues to tour his

Montana Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Rocky Mountain College Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Dennis, who earned a double major in education and physical education / health, currently lives with his wife, Dawn, in Gwinner, North Dakota. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education from MSUNorthern in 2000 and a master’s degree in educational leadership from MSU-Bozeman in 2002. Dennis is currently employed as a school superintendent at the North Sargent School.

Dennis has previously worked as a Montana teacher, school administrator, and coach.

solo plays worldwide. As of this year, Bill has performed in 32 countries, and all 50 states.

He is currently developing a new play that will premiere in New York City next year. Check out his schedule, and get further details at www.Bill-Bowers.com.

”

“I had forever wanted to have my wedding ceremony in the Great Hall, and once I checked to ensure our dog would be able to be part of our day, it was set! It couldn’t have been a better day in a more memorable and beautiful part of the College!”

– KAYCEE LEE

MAY 3-4, 2019 Commencement Weekend Rocky Mountain College JUNE 10, 2019 Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament Hilands Golf Club, Billings SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 Clara Klindt Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Pub Station, Billings SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 Homecoming Football Game and Tailgate Rocky Mountain College SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 All-Class Social Craft Local, Billings

TIM CAMPBELL (‘74) is the president of Campbell Oil Limited, a Canadian company.

Tim graduated from Rocky with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree in hotel and casino management at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Tim lives in Calgary, Canada with his wife, Jennifer.

UPCOMING EVENTS

KAYCEE LEE (‘09) and her husband, Jacob, were married in the Great Room of Prescott Hall in February 2018. Rhonda Sappington (‘10), a close friend of Kaycee’s from the accounting program, performed the ceremony. Another friend, Magon (Jones) Bowling (‘06), who Kaycee met as a freshman, sang at the ceremony. Kaycee especially appreciated the opportunity to continue making memories at Rocky.

NOVEMBER 15, 2019 Black Tie Blue Jeans Rocky Mountain College FEBRUARY 6, 2020 111th Candlelight Dinner Rocky Mountain College

IN MEMORIAM MEGAN (MCALPIN) HICKS (‘09) is currently employed as

Class of ‘92 BERV C. KIMBERLEY Class of ‘56 HELEN S. MATHEW Class of ‘41 DANA M. MONACO Class of ‘70 FRED S. ROLANDO, JR. Class of ‘66 MARK A. BRABEC

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Class of ‘70 LELON E. SPURGIN Class of ‘58 RONALD J. SCARIANO

GREEN & GOLD The Magazine of Rocky Mountain College | SPRING 2019

the lead clinical pharmacist for the Billings Clinic. After double majoring in chemistry and biology at Rocky, Megan went on to earn a doctorate in pharmacy from Union University College of Pharmacy in 2013. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Union University McAfee School of Business. After earning her MBA in May 2017, Megan completed a Pharmacy Administration Residency in August 2017. She currently lives in Billings, Montana, with her husband, Joshua, who is currently attending Rocky.

SUPPORT ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE Visit rocky.edu/donate

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION Visit rocky.edu/alumni

1511 Poly Drive Billings, MT 59102