ROCKY NOW Vol. 3 Issue 8
Fresh news every day at www.rocky.edu
September 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 When you help support Rocky Mountain College, you know your con tribution makes a difference. Christa Salomon, our featured student this month, is a Photo: Dave M. Shumway, RMC clear example of staff what makes our Christa Salom serves as a students excep - member of the RMC cheer tional. squad. Christa Salomon can sing both soprano and alto, but likes soprano better because “I like hitting the high notes.” Hitting the high notes is an apt description for everything Christa does. On the dean’s honor list, she maintains a 3.8 GPA while majoring in music performance and accounting. She is on the cheerleading squad, sings in the RMC choir, and holds down a work study job with Admissions. She performs with the Rimrock Opera Company. Her singing achievement also earned her a summer trip to Bulgaria with the RMC Choir. She hopes she'll win a role in a musical RMC will present next year. “That definitely is something I hope all this experience helps with,” she said. Christa grew up on a dairy farm in Ronan, Montana, and liked the personal closeness of her school and community. She wanted that to continue into college, and RMC fit the bill. “I like that I can walk to class, walk to work, walk to get groceries. I like knowing everyone and having everyone know me. I also liked that Rocky was close enough to my home that I can go there when I need to, but not too close,” she said. She won't have to go far for her graduate degree. “Rocky offers a master’s in accountancy and I'll be happy to earn it where I did my undergrad work.” Whatever Christa decides to do, it’s almost certain she'll continue hitting those high notes.
Airborne logo acknowledges donor Image rendition: Brandon Templeton, RMC student
For the first time in RMC’s aviation program, a sponsoring logo will be featured on one of RMC’s aircraft. The logo is to recognize a $100,000 gift from John (Jack) B. Mowell, president of Mowell Investment Group and chairman of the board of EMS Technologies. Mr. Mowell’s gift helped retire debt on the twin-engine Piper Seminole (which, because Mr. Mowell is a Florida State Seminole fan, makes the choice of plane a happy coincidence). The logo will be officially unveiled at a special ceremony at the RMC aviation flight operations hangar on Sept. 24, 2008. Following the unveiling, there will be a reception at 5 p.m. in the Great Room of Prescott Hall for Mr. Mowell, who resides in Tallahassee, Florida, and also owns a ranch in Montana.
BTBJ auction: Vacations, great art BLACK TIE BLUE JEANS SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT
FRIDAY, NOV. 7 6:30 P.M. Billings Hotel and Convention Center ❚ Music by Midlife Chryslers ❚ Gourmet Dinner ❚ Silent and Live Auctions
2008 Honorary Chairs Barb Skelton & Paul Gatzemier From vacation packages for resorts in Montana, like Bigfork Bay, to a tropical excursion to South Seas Tower on Marcos Island, the opportunity to bid on a great getaway is only one of the highlights for this year’s Black Tie Blue Jeans. The 21st year of the annual scholarship benefit promises the always tasty gourmet dinner, the funfor-all-ages music of the Midlife Chryslers, and an
Bear painting by Carol Hagan
(More BTBJ, please turn page)
Coming Up Tuesday, Sept. 23 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WINE TASTING: 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall. Featuring California wines for under $20 per bottle. $10 per person. Light appetizers. Tickets available at the door. Thursday, Sept. 25 RECEPTION FOR JOHN B. MOWELL: 5 p.m., Great Room, Prescott Hall. Saturday, Sept. 27 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY VOLUNTEER DAY: Join local alums and other volunteers to help build a simple, decent, affordable home for a family in need. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers. To sign up, call Heather Nitz, RMC alumni director, at 406.657.1007. Friday - Sunday Oct. 3 - 5 1980S CLASSES REUNION: This RMC Homecoming we expect 150-200 alumni from the classes of the 1980s for tailgate party, football game, cocktails at the Granary, an ice cream social in Fraley, Octoberfest at Bones Brewery for brats and beer. For details, contact Heather Nitz, RMC alumni director, at 406.657.1007.
Fortin Family Foundation honored Photo: Dave M. Shumway, RMC staff
RMC President Mike Mace, Capstone Wealth Management’s Nick Cladis and Sam E. McDonald, Jr., Chairman, We n d y ’s of Montana, enjoy a moment during the RMC Philanthropist of the Year reception at Prescott Hall. Mr. Cladis (center, above) accepted this year’s award on behalf of the Fortin Foundation. Mr. McDonald (above, right) was the first recipient of the award in 2006.
Inducted into RMC Athletic Hall of Fame
Monday & Tuesday Oct. 6 - 7 RMC FOURTH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON RELIGION AND CULTURE: 7- 9 p.m. in Losekamp Hall. Free and public lectures and panel discussion, first-come-first-seated. This year’s theme: Religion and Politics. There will also be a clergy lunch Oct. 7. For more information, contact Dr. Elizabeth McNamer, 1.406.657.1076. www.rocky.edu for details on RMC events
Photo: Dave M. Shumway, RMC staff
Jerry Dolar and John Fagan, (photo, l-r )were inducted into the Rocky Mountain College Clara Klindt Hall of Fame on Sept. 6. The two were honored at an informal reception Sept. 5 in the Herb and Clara Klindt Hall of Fame room in the Fortin Center. They were also recognized at halftime of Saturday’s football game, before being officially inducted that same night during a banquet in the Bair Family Student Center. Fagan, a 1965 graduate who now divides his time between Mesquite, Nev., and Butte, participated in basketball, baseball and track at Rocky. Dolar, of Salem, Ore., was a four-year starter at quarterback for the Battlin' Bears from 1974-77.
BTBJ/ from front page
Bill Larson bronze relief
evening of greeting old friends and meeting new ones. Top it off with the silent and live auction, and the gala event is always a bargain and a feel good time to help RMC students. “The auction items include trips to Florida and Hawaii. There's a vacation to Dolly Parton country near Gatlinburg, Tenn. and exclusive accommodations at the Rainier Club in Seattle,” said Shari VanDelinder, RMC director of development. “It's exciting
to see what great trips we have available.” As always there will also be great art on the auction block. Among the artists represented this year are Bill Rains, Carol Hagan, Bill Larson, Harry Koyama and Kevin Redstar. To see some of the auction items, visit www.blacktiebluejeans.com. Tickets are available by contacting Shari at 1.800.877.6259 ext. 1173 or 1.406.657.1173 or by emailing vandelis@rocky.edu.