ROCKY NOW Vol.2 Issue 2
Fresh news every day at www.rocky.edu
February 2008
Rocky Now: Keeping our friends and supporters informed about what’s new and exciting at Rocky Mountain College
It’s all about our students Before this student finished her business degree she was already in business, thanks to the RMC internship program. Erin Bruner savored a variety of college classes before she declared her major in her third semester at Rocky Mountain College. She chose business because after sampling those classes, she enjoyed them most. The only problem Erin had was PHOTO/DAVE M.SHUMWAY, RMC being able to Erin Bruner checks on progress of the stay in college construction of BIN 119, a new business while working she developed as an RMC intern. full time at the Montana Brewing Company. Fortunately, RMC professors were willing to work with her on an internship that accomplished a couple major goals. First, she came up with an idea to open a new business, and second, by developing her business, she could earn enough credits to graduate. Erin’s plan began when she convinced her employers a wine bar was a feasible adjunct to the restaurant and bar they already owned. Erin developed a partnership structure, bank financing plans, marketing plans and the design for BIN 119 Kitchen and Wine Bar. She is writing a paper on the entire experience. “If I would not have been able to do that, I probably would have had to drop out of Rocky so that I could pursue this great opportunity. Luckily, Rocky and its faculty have been working with me and my exceptional situation,” she said. The fact that RMC gives students the opportunity to intern for up to 15 credits “is fantastic. I could not have graduated without this policy,” Erin added.
RMC alumnus, Chris Bingley, named new vice president for development The 99th Annual Candlelight Dinner, celebrating the first meal ever eaten on the campus of Rocky Mountain College, will be a special occasion for more than one reason on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the McDonald Commons. Chris Bingley, RMC ‘96, will be presented with the RMC Alumni Association Outstanding Achievement Award. Bingley will also be welcomed as the new vice president for development. President Michael Mace made the announcement to the campus community that on March 1, 2008, Bingley will be joining the College. Bingley attended Rocky from 1991 Chris Bingley, RMC ‘96, will join the College as new vice president for to 1996 and majored in English Education. Chris is currently vice pres- development. ident of annual giving and advancement services at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. Chris and his wife, Tonya, are looking forward to their move to Billings with their three young children.
Lisa Browning honored as one of area’s Outstanding “40 under 40” Leaders Rocky Mountain College has been notified that RMC Vice President Lisa Browning is recognized as one of the Billings area’s 40-under-40 Outstanding People for 2008. “The College is fortunate to have excellent experience on its staff, and our vice president for enrollment services is one of those educated and energetic people who has helped make RMC a premier institution of higher learning,” said RMC President Michael Mace. This is the second consecutive year that an RMC administrator was selected. Last year,
PHOTO/DAVE SHUMWAY, RMC
Lisa Browning
RMC Director of Development Shari VanDelinder was selected for the award.