April 2013 - Rocky Now

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Fresh news every day at

R O C K Y. E D U

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

all aBO UT S T Uden TS

FUll OF SUrPriSeS

Neal Coon admits he was surprised that he would have an opportunity to play college football. The surprise was mutual.

Coming from a small town – Metaline Falls, Wash. – where he knew the rough and tumble on a high school gridiron didn’t count for much when it came to a larger venue, even at a small college like RMC, he thought. But, if he was surprised when he made the Battlin’ Bears football team, the coaches were even more surprised. Coon earned a starting position as a walk-on and experienced the joy of helping the Battlin’ Bears to beat top-ranked Carroll College for the first time in a dozen years. This coming season he’ll join an offensive line with four veterans from last year’s winning season.

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Neal Coon spoke at the Candlelight Dinner about his personal history at RMC.

rOCKY mOUnTain COllege nameS neW PreSidenT After conducting a nationwide search, the Rocky Mountain College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Robert Wilmouth as president, the 10th in the college’s history.

“We’re delighted with our choice and hopeful for a promising future under his leadership,” said Carl A. Hansen, chair, RMC Board of Trustees.

Hansen credited AGB Search, the independent consulting firm retained by the board and led by Dr. Loren Anderson, for its assistance with a search that began last fall after the retirement of then-RMC President Michael R. Mace.

“This concludes a thorough search with more than 50 candidates from across the United States considered,” Hansen said. “There was definitely a lot Robert Wilmouth shed the title of RMC interim president when the RMC Board of Trustees selected him as president. of interest in Rocky Mountain College and narrowing the field took months.”

Candidates were thoroughly researched with five invited for interviews by the RMC Search Committee, chaired by Barb Skelton, a past RMC Chair and a current RMC Trustee. The field was then narrowed to two finalists – Wilmouth and Dr. David R. Evans, academic vice president at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa – who met with trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community.

Wilmouth said he “appreciated the board’s confidence,” adding, “Now it’s time to go to work.”

“This is the place I want to be doing the good work of the College. I am mindful of the challenges and eager to begin,” said Wilmouth.

For the previous four years, Wilmouth was the program director of the Masters of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program and an RMC faculty member. He was an adjunct professor with the MPAS program for the previous 17 years.

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ROC KY NOW

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

mY PO in T O F V ie W

BY CARL A. HANSON -

Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Rocky Mountain College

FreSH BeginningS WiTH neW PreSidenT On behalf of the Rocky Mountain College Board of Trustees, I am delighted that we are beginning the 2013 spring season – a time of rejuvenation, rebirth, and warmer, sunnier days – with a new president. I hope you will join me in congratulating Dr. Robert “Bob” Wilmouth. More than that, I hope you will help him and encourage him as he undertakes a challenging period for the College.

The decision to name Dr. Wilmouth was made after thoughtful and deliberate consideration. More than 50 candidates were considered, from across the country, which showed a healthy interest in RMC. The RMC Search Committee, chaired by Barb Skelton, who has faithfully served RMC as Board Chair before me and as a Board

Member before and since, spent long hours reviewing applicants. There was spirited discussion. This committee of representatives from the board, faculty, staff, and students approached their job with vigor and dedication. All sought the person they thought could best serve the College.

The Board had the ultimate decision to make. The Board unanimously voted to confirm him, sending a clear message that it would support him. It is the Board’s mission to make sure there is a successful transition of leadership, enhanced by the fact that Bob served as interim and has already made positive strides to benefit the College.

I hope now that a decision has been made we all will appreciate the difficult job

all aBOUT STUdenTS

Coon, dressed for the gridiron, anchors the Battlin’ Bears offensive line.

“When I came here, the last thing I expected was the chance to play football,” Coon says. “But Rocky’s about giving guys like me a chance and, given the opportunity, I made the most of it.”

Majoring in secondary education with plans to teach high school science and to coach football or baseball, Coon finds opportunity wherever he looks.

“One of the best opportunities that RMC offers is the smaller class sizes and more chances for one-on-one interactions with professors. Student-professor relationRMC alu

Mni diR

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ships are much more personal than at a bigger school. Professors at RMC legitimately care about their students in class and out of class. At RMC there are opportunities for whatever you want. For example, there are ski trips, hiking trips, intramural sports, and theater productions that students can be part of or attend,” he said.

Coon revels in the being elected to the Student Athlete Advisory committee and to the football leadership council.

“These have meant a lot to me because I was chosen by my coaches and my teammates for both of these positions,” he said.

“It’s humbling.”

Coon has also excelled outside of football as well, as he’s maintained a solid 3.00 GPA. And, while he was a walk-on his first year, he’s earned a scholarship since. It’s all about

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Bob undertakes and the need for all of us to help him succeed.

His success in fundraising, in recruiting students, in working with faculty, and guiding staff will result in fulfilling our mission.

We have a mission, and I hope we consider it with fresh eyes, rekindled resolve, and confidence in our leadership to achieve it: “Rocky Mountain College educates future leaders through liberal arts and professional programs that cultivate critical thinking, creative expression, ethical decision-making, informed citizenship, and professional excellence.”

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opportunity.

Coon said when he came to see RMC he felt at home.

“I grew up in a small town so I felt I’d be more comfortable at a smaller school, but I also felt like I could do big things here,” he said.

He’d tell other students to “have no fear and don’t look back.”

“I would tell RMC students to not hold back. Don’t worry about making mistakes.

Some of the best learning opportunities come from making mistakes, but you have to learn from them, move on, and don’t look back.”

Any regrets? “The only one I can think of is for students who don’t take advantage of everything RMC offers. There’s a lot here.

No one should complain about the lack of opportunities.”

The 2013 RMC Alumni 5 Directory will be available December 2013. The hardcover edition comes with a CD as well. Many alumni have already ordered their copies, but if you want one, there is still time to make sure you receive a limited edition. For more information, contact Vicki Davison, RMC alumni director, 406.657.1005 / vicki.davison@rocky.edu.

aSTrOnaUT, PHYSiCiST TO addreSS ClaSS OF 2013 1 3 1 S T rm C CO m m en C emen T QUiCK lOOK:

maY 3 RMC Class of 2013 Baccalaureate Service, 7:30 p.m., speaker is RMC Professor Linaya Leaf. First Presbyterian Church, 2420 13th St. West. For more information: Teresa Rowen, RMC Student Life, 406.657.1018 / teresa. rowen@rocky.edu.

maY 4 Graduate Brunch for seniors and their families, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., McDonald Commons, Bair Family Student Center.

RMC 2013 Commencement, 1:00 p.m., Fortin Education Center.

The speaker is Dr. Loren Acton, solar scientist and astronaut who flew on Space Lab (Challenger) in 1985.

For more information: Pam Erickson, executive assistant to the president, 406.657.1015 / ericksop@rocky.edu.

Rocky Mountain College will graduate 220 students during its 131st Commencement. The public is welcome to attend baccalaureate and commencement.

The commencement speaker will be astronaut and solar physicist, Dr. Loren W. Acton, a native of Montana. The title of his speech will be “It’s a Rocky Road.”

An honorary doctorate of humane letters will be conferred on Carl A. Hansen, RMC chair, Board of Trustees.

Student speakers will be the winners of the RMC President’s Cup award, Johnathan Diem and Anudari Batjargal. This is RMC’s highest student honor, bestowed on students – one male and one female – for scholarship, leadership, and community service.

Diem, from Moab, Utah, who was Associated Students of RMC president and a member of the 2011 national championship ski team, is graduating with a master’s of accountancy degree. Diem lettered as an All-American three times academically and once athletically in the 2011 Skier-X. Batjargal, from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, is graduating with a degree in aviation management and business. She was active with the RMC Institute for Peace Studies.

She not only was a President’s Cup winner, 3

but was also named outstanding student in aviation, business management, and mathematics. She was also selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities.

Dr. Acton was born in Lewistown, Mont., and graduated from Billings Senior High School in Billings. He received his bachelor’s degree from Montana State University, his doctorate from the University of Colorado, and spent most of his career as a solar physicist.

Dr. Acton flew on STS-51F/Spacelab-2 (Challenger) in 1985, spending over 190 hours in space as a payload specialist. This particular flight earned the distinction of being classed as an abort to orbit because

vices in 1998 and is currently vice president, financial consultant, with D.A. Davidson.

Hansen has completed additional training with the Cannon Financial Institute and the College of Financial Planning. He also received his Certified Financial Planner certification, which demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of financial planning in insurance, investment planning, retirement planning, employee benefits, and estate planning.

Besides his role on the RMC Board, Hansen is past president and umpire-inchief of Boulder-Arrowhead Little League and co-treasurer for the Mayflower Congregational Church. Facilitating philanthropy is an important facet of Hansen’s profession.

Hansen and his wife, Marianna, a CPA, have two children, Hannah and Miles.

Music at commencement will be performed by both the Rocky Mountain College choir and band. Half century graduates from the RMC Class of 1963 will also be honored.

Baccalaureate will be celebrated on Friday, May 3, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Poly Drive and 13th Street.

Dr. Loren Acton will be the 131st RMC Commencement speaker.

of some launch anomalies that illustrated the redundancy and enormous resiliency of the now-retired Shuttle Transportation System.

An accomplished scientist who happened to use space as his laboratory, Dr. Acton played a key role in forming the Space Science and Engineering Laboratory at Montana State University. He has been a special friend of Rocky Mountain College, and he served on the RMC’s National Advisory Council.

Carl A. Hansen is being recognized for his faithful service to his alma mater as a member of the Rocky Mountain College Board of Trustees and as its current chair.

Hansen received his bachelor’s of science degree in business administration and economics from Rocky Mountain College.

Hansen began his career in financial ser-

liCenSe TO giVe!

NEW RMC PLATES READY Is your vehicle wearing RMC? Show your support and sport a cool new license plate.

The initial cost of the new Rocky Mountain College license plate is $80, with $30 of that cost going directly to the RMC Student Scholarship Fund. ($80 is the initial cost.

After the first year, the cost of the license plate is $30.)

For more information, contact Vicki Davison, RMC director of alumni relations, at 406.657.1005 or vicki.davison@rocky.edu.

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memOraBle and TragiC daY FOr rmC’S rUnning COaCH F O CUS O n S TaF F

Patriot’s Day – when the race is held – is a ter in the distance medley relay, Richter Memorable. Tragic. Those two words and Hart in the mile, senior Noah Kiprono day of cheering while thousands of runners always will be linked when Alan King recalls in the 3,000 meters, and freshman Shawn are tracked by overhead helicopters and the 117th annual Boston Marathon where urged on by the screaming crowd. King Peden in the 800 meters. Richter won he experienced the thrill of finishing in the experience that only to learn later that the All-American status. This month Kiprono top 100 of more than 28,000 contestants, happy screams had turned to terrified ones. won the Montana Open 10K, qualifying and where he was shocked by the twin him for the NAIA bombs that killed three outdoor national and wounded more competition. than 180 others.

“It’s the largest numRocky Mountain ber of athletes (RMC College’s 33-year-old has ever taken) and the long distance running highest rated group as coach was the 90th a whole going in,’ King male to complete the said to the Gazette race and was 76th out about RMC’s presence of the 5,217 runners in at nationals.” his 18-39-age division.

Meanwhile, personForty other Montanally, King racked up his ans were entered in own achievement: he is the 26.2-mile race the reigning Montana that King covered in Marathon champion.

2:32:06.

But King’s success Running for King is a paled for him when “love and a passion.” he learned of the horIn an interview with rific bombings that the Gazette before the occurred while he, his Boston Marathon, he wife, Becca, and their credited running with four-year-old son, helping him get a colHayden, sat eating in a lege education, but it mall restaurant two and also helped him “meet a half hours after he his wife, start a family, finished his marathon. and launch a career as According to The the RMC coach.”

Alan King was interviewed by the Gazette’s Larry Mayer after crossing the finish line at the Montana Governor’s Cup. Billings Gazette report King, who has run the morning after the eight marathons since murderous explosions, King said the “music The explosions ruined a day of celebration.

2003, has been RMC’s coach for six years.

An announcement midday to the campus in the restaurant was loud . . . he wasn’t He graduated from Billings West High aware of the explosions until after they community from RMC Athletic Director School and Dakota Wesleyan University.

Bobby Beers that King and his family were heard an announcement that the mall they “It’s the basis for my life,” he said. “It’s were in was being evacuated. safe was welcome news. given me everything I have. That’s why I “’We were with the masses of people love it so much.”

“We were blessed and fortunate to be tomoving out of the mall. I kept asking, His goal is to qualify for the Olympic gether and to be safe and sound,” King said.

‘What’s going on, what’s going?’ and evFor King, the marathon capped an excelMarathon, but first he has his sights set on erybody was saying, ‘Bombs, bombs,’” King lent year for his runners and himself. Six marathons in New York City and London. told the Gazette. qualified for nationals at the indoor track Grueling training and a rigorous physiUnable to retrieve their car from a parkand field event in Geneva, Ohio. Reprecal regimen is key to his success. It’s that ing garage, they rented a car to get back to senting the Battlin’ Bears were sophomore dedication that inspires his RMC runners. their hotel, about 30 miles west of the city.

Rachael Hart, sophomore Bailey Eich, seKeeping up with coach is a mantra for It was not the kind of day he envisioned. nior Megan Breeding, and junior Ana RichRMC’s runners.

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Consider Marissa Clark’s resumé from Rocky Mountain College. It lists being a resident assistant; playing basketball becoming a certified scuba diver and a licensed EMT; joining the science club; playing for the “best intramural team Rocky ever had;” and winning the Cytochrome C Challenge Award from Dr. Cristi Hunnes, in biochemistry.

Oh, and yes, she earned a degree in 2009, majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and environmental science.

The career of an RMC student includes many academic aspects and many opportunities for success, but Marissa would put this first: “I have several achievements that I believe to be significant while spending four years at RMC, but the first was building and maintaining excellent relationships and friendships.”

That sentiment – of building friendships – is often voiced by RMC students, as is another that Marissa states about her next step, graduate school. Marissa earned her master’s of science at Arcadia University in Philadelphia.

Marissa’s work in genetic counseling helps people who might have inherited defects or conditions that could be transmitted to others. The program, which is partly sponsored by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, has made great strides in cancer genetics, which may lead to cures in colon, ovary, breast, and eye cancers. Testing before symptoms occur helps advance treatment. Determining the difference between environmental and genetic causes is also a part of this field, Marissa explained. Marissa helps analyze medical history and interpret results to individuals and families.

Completing her master’s in science, Marissa couldn’t wait to leave Philadelphia and return to Montana, a move made possible when she landed a job at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena. Shodair Medical Genetics Department is the only comprehensive genetics team in Montana.

“The work ethic I developed at Rocky really helped me pursue the genetic counseling program because I was confident I had the knowledge and tools gained at

Art by Heather Connolly

Photo: Shodair

Marissa Clark is a genetic counselor with Shodair Children’s Hospital.

Rocky to measure up,” she said. “Plus I was looking for a well-rounded liberal arts school that would make me a more wellrounded person. I also wanted a college that afforded me opportunities to stay active and enjoy the outdoors. Rocky was the right fit.”

For students coming to RMC, Marissa would advise them to “not just go there to take classes. College is more than the grades you obtain. Find a balance that truly lets you take advantage of other opportunities to experience a full range of experiences.”

Marissa still enjoys trips back to RMC to stay in touch with the friends and professors she got to know over four years.

“Part of my job requires that I travel to Billings once a month for a genetics clinic,” she noted.

It’s a trip to which she always looks forward.

PHOTOS

Credit

Photographs appearing in Rocky Now, unless otherwise noted, are by Dave M. Shumway, RMC staff photographer and web content manager.

THrU maY 2 The RMC senior art show exhibit includes the following students: Evan Rice, Jase Oriet, Lauren Brophy, and Heather Connolly. Their exhibits will be in the Ryniker-Morrison Gallery.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday-Friday. A closing reception honoring the artists and their families will be held on Thursday, May 2, from 4 – 6 p.m. maY 10 & JUne 14 RMC Registration Events, 12:45 p.m.

The 2013 freshman class is invited to campus to register for classes. Students will meet with academic advisors to create their class schedule and go through the process of registering.

Parents will have a luncheon session that will provide them with additional information about RMC. For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 406.657.1026. maY 17 Junior Campus Visit Day, 9 a.m. The Office of Admissions welcomes prospective students to campus. Juniors in high school are invited, along with their parents, to campus to learn more about admissions, financial aid, academics, and student life at RMC. Guests will receive a campus tour and attend breakout sessions, including a mock class. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 406.657.1026.

JUne 7 Transfer Student Visit Day, 9 a.m.

The Office of Admissions welcomes prospective transfer students to campus. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 406.657.1026.

JUne 17-21 The Summer Art Academy, a camp for young artists ages 8-14, opens on the campus of Rocky Mountain College. Eleven professional artists are on the faculty. The young artists attending will have 12 different classes to choose from along with the opportunity to swim at the Fortin Education Center. Visit mtsummerartacademy. com for camp information and registration forms. Call Sally McIntosh at 406.259.6563 for more information.

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FOCU S O n FaCUlT Y

aSTrOnaUTS Headline rmC leaderSHiP COnFerenCe Astronauts Walter Cunningham, Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, and Loren Acton spoke at a Leadership Development Conference at Rocky Mountain College, March 22, 2013.

The event was sponsored by the Judith K. Jurist Memorial Education Fund and the Montana Space Grant Consortium’s EPSCoR. It was organized by John M. Jurist, an RMC adjunct professor of biophysics and aviation, and an adjunct professor of space studies at the Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota.

The astronauts spoke in classes and then held a forum for a standing-roomonly crowd in Fortin Education Center Auditorium.

The trio of astronauts represented different facets of manned space flight over more than two decades, spanning from 1968 to 1985. Cunningham was on the

crew of Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo space flight and the first manned launch of a Saturn 1B. Schmitt, who was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA, learned to fly at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona and was the lunar module pilot on Apollo 17, the last flight to the Moon. The RMC Leadership Conference, organized by John Jurist, far left, brought three astronauts to campus for two panel discussions with students and the public.

Acton, a Lewistown native, flew on STS Associate Fellow of the Aerospace Medical 51F Spacelab-2 (Challenger) in 1985, Association, a Fellow of the Clinical spending over 190 hours in space as a payMedicine Section of the Gerontological load specialist.

Society, and a Life Member of the Jurist, while not an astronaut, has a keen International Association of Military Flight interest in aerospace medicine and Surgeon Pilots. human biodynamics. He is currently an

WilmOUTH named neW rmC PreSidenT Wilmouth moved to Billings in 1991 and started a career as a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at the Billings Clinic. He served in numerous leadership positions including chief of cardiac services and medical director. Wilmouth stopped practicing due to an illness in 2004. He subsequently served as a faculty member for the Institute

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for Healthcare Improvement and traveled the country as a consultant for the Saving 5 Million Lives campaign working with hospital trustees on board engagement. He has also served on numerous community boards in Billings.

Wilmouth is married to Liz, who has a master’s of science in nursing and is the

current senior development director at the Billings Clinic Foundation. They have two daughters: Katie, who is finishing a degree at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., and will be going to Notre Dame Law School this fall: and Maggie, who is in her second undergraduate year at Notre Dame.

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