Rocky Now - December 2007

ROCKY NOW Vol. 1 Issue 7

Fresh news every day at www.rocky.edu

December 2007

Rocky Now: Keeping our friends and supporters informed about what’s new and exciting at Rocky Mountain College

It’s all about our students Edith Gronhovd died Nov. 21, 2007, at the age of 93, just a few days after the Rocky Mountain College Institute for Peace Studies held its annual “In Praise of Peace Concert,” which announces the winners of the essay contest Edith sponsored.

She took great pride in the accomplishments of the high school and college essayists, who addressed a fiveletter topic dear to her heart: Dave Shumway, RMC peace. This year, Farida beams her famous smile Edith would have from behind a bowl of food she been particularly prepared from her native Kenya pleased with one at the RMC International Food Festival in November. of the winning essayists, an RMC student from Kenya. With her love of travel and knowledge of the world, Edith would appreciate the remarkable insights of this committed and involved member of the RMC family. When this student smiles, she lights up the darkest corners of a room, and she shares her radiant smile in plenty of places around campus. “I have found that finding an area of focus and giving my heart and talents to that area allows me to move forward and to hopefully make a difference; as for me, that focus is education,” she wrote in her essay. Her focus on education explains why she has served as a volunteer, work study and intern with the Institute for Peace Studies. She was co-coordinator of the African Area at the annual RMC Festival of Cultures. She also served as a counselor for the annual Peace Village Day Camp for children. She pitched in to prepare culinary delicacies from her native land at the RMC International Food Festival. And she is working to secure a Masters in Accountancy at RMC. Meet another remarkable RMC student, Farida Mohamed, who has as much to teach us as she does to learn from us.

Philanthropists 2007 The College pays homage to the great generosity of the late Dr. Charles Morledge and his wife, Patricia Rocky Mountain College honored the late Dr. Charles C. Morledge, and his wife, Patricia A. Morledge, with the College Philanthropist of the Year Award, Dec. 14, 2007.

Wendy’s of Montana President Sam E. McDonald, Jr., and RMC President Michael Mace, presented the award at a reception in the Great Room of Prescott Hall. McDonald and his wife, Judith C., were honored with the award last year.

A couple known for their philanthropy and community spirit, Dr. Morledge, who died July 19, 2007, and Dave Shumway, RMC Patricia, have been steadfast Patricia and Dr. Charles Morledge have been two of the supporters of the College.

“Rocky Mountain College College’s most ardent supporters. is proud and grateful to have active trustee of Billings Polytechnic Charlie and Patti Morledge as friends Institute. Her mother, Pearl, once served and supporters of the College and this is as RMC’s sole admissions representaa small way to show our appreciation,” tive. said President Mace.

She has been an active member of Dr. Morledge began his formal associ- RMC’s National Advisory Council and ation with RMC in 1993 as an original serving on the building & grounds commember of the National Advisory mittee. She is the unseen entity behind Council. In 1995 he became a Rocky the seasonal decorations and holiday trustee, serving on both its building & wreaths that adorn the campus. The grounds and education committees. For Morledges have been dedicated advohis many efforts in support of Rocky cates for the beautification of the camMountain College, he was awarded an pus and the restoration of the historic honorary doctorate in humane letters. buildings.

Patricia Morledge's involvement with They were also the first couple to RMC began in 1941, when her father, serve as Honorary Chairs of the annual Cloyd Conner, came to Billings as scholarship benefit, Black Tie Blue superintendent of Congregational Jeans, and they received the RMC Churches in Montana, and became an Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

Bulgaria-bound: Choir represents RMC, if they can find way to fest

Dave Shumway, RMC

The RMC Choir, directed by Dr. Steven Hart, performed the annual holiday concert, “Lessons and Carols,” to two standingroom-only crowds.

Last year, Dr. Steven Hart, Rocky Mountain College music professor and choir director, was a guest conductor at an international conductor workshop in Bulgaria. This year, when he returns he will have with him 25 members of the RMC Choir.

“It will be a fantastic experience for the choir,” Dr. Hart said. Not only will they work with different conductors, they will perform with Bulgarian choirs during the nine-day event before traveling to the “seat of music,” Vienna, home of Mozart and Beethoven.

The choir, which just completed standing-room-only performances of its annual Christmas concert, “Lessons and Carols,” needs some assistance, however, according to Bob FitzGerald, RMC Director of Major Gifts. While the choir, representing RMC, pays half the total expense of the trip, the other half -- $37,500 -- needs to be raised. Anyone wishing to help, please send your contribution to RMC Development.

‘Treasured Legacy’ sales go to RMC

IN MEMORIAM Dr. Arthur H. DeRosier, Jr. had a presence in the life of Rocky Mountain College that few others have had. He saved the College when its vital signs were faint. He grew the College with a nurturing hand that extended to alumni, friends, faculty and staff, but always with the stu dents in mind and heart. Dr. DeRosier died Nov. 15, 2007, sur rounded by his loving wife, RMC pro fessor, Dr. Linda Scott DeRosier, their children and other family mem bers. The College’s seventh presi dent, he will not be forgotten for all his good works. A statue of him, which was placed near the library only months before he died, will always remind us of his devotion to the College beneath the Rims.

Few have enjoyed as distinguished a career as Dr. Lawrence F. Small. Coming to Rocky Mountain College in 1959 to teach, he had little idea he would some day become Dean, Acting President and then the College's fifth president from 1966 to 1975. He also served as Executive Director of the Montana Association of Churches from 1984-1990. He returned to teaching until his retirement in 1990. His retirement was short lived, because he was soon active with RMC again as one of the founding fathers, and first chairman of the board of the Institute for Peace Studies. With such an active career you might think Dr. Small would write an autobiography. He certainly has a wonderful personal story to tell of his adventures from growing up in his beloved Maine Dave Shumway, RMC to his making a home in his beloved Montana. Instead Dr. Dr. Small signs copies of Small devoted his energies to writing a history of the college “Pathways to the Present.” that just wouldn't quit. His two-volume history is a remarkable achievement, tracing the origins of Montana's first institution of higher learning in “Courageous Journey” from 1878 to 1947 when it became Rocky Mountain College; and then from that time to the present in “Pathways to the Present.”

“One lesson would abide through the years, that nothing of value is easily won,” he writes in his preface to “Pathways to the Present.” The examples of that statement are redolent in both volumes, and even if you are not an alumnus of RMC, or any of its predecessors, these volumes are worth reading. They are told in the context of the development of Billings and the state of Montana. They depict people who had a hand in enriching the lives of thousands. They resonate with those who know the value of small, private liberal arts institutions.

Now, both volumes are available in the Treasured Legacy package. Sold separately for $24.95, together the two autographed copies are being sold for a limited time for $36.95.

Proceeds from the book sales go to Rocky Mountain College, one more devoted gesture from one of its most treasured people. To purchase either book or the set of two, contact Margia Pretlow, RMC Marketing, 657-1105 or the RMC Bookstore, 657-1091.

Rocky Mountain College

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