Spring 2015 Recipients
Animal and Range Science, MSU-Bozeman
Nominated by the faculty and staff of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences
Glenn Duff and Patrick Hatfield led the College of Agriculture (COA) and the Department
of Animal and Range Sciences to new heights in 2014. Glenn and Pat each stepped into
interim positions at the behest of President Cruzado at the beginning of the search
for Montana State University’s first Vice President for the College of Agriculture.
For the past 16 months, Glenn served as the interim dean of the COA and director
of the Ag Experiment Station, and Pat served as the interim department head for animal
and range sciences. At a time of significant college and department growth and change
Glenn and Pat have exemplified leadership with a unifying spirit and an infectious,
positive outlook.
Both Glenn and Pat took extreme pride and absolute ownership of their interim positions
without sacrificing their permanent position duties, research programs, teaching,
and faculty and student mentoring. Each has worked very hard to enhance communication
with faculty, staff and stakeholders, and has been an effective and patient leader.
Throughout their respective interim terms of service, both men demonstrated integrity,
enhanced access to departmental and college leadership and increased availability
to various booster organizations, advisory committees, stakeholder groups and the
public to promote the College of Agriculture and the animal and range science department.
“Attitude is everything” and both Glenn and Pat have an equally positive, energetic
and motivating presence day in and day out. Almost always at work before the sun comes
up with bright smiles and cheerful greetings, both Pat Hatfield and Glenn Duff are
inspiring and motivational leaders for faculty, staff and supporters of the Department
of Animal and Range Sciences.
Nominated by Shannon Moreaux; Received award on April 22, 2015
RLUFS, MSU-Bozeman
“What can I get you, dear?” is the phrase that the line of young freshmen patiently
wait to hear. They stand at attention at Kathy’s Omelet Grill in anticipation of a
taste of home. Some of them don’t have to tell her what they want. She remembers their
faces and orders and simply says, “The usual today?”
It’s not just freshmen that enjoy the friendly service and fresh taste of a made-to-order
omelet. All kinds come to see Kathy’s smiling face. Early morning class takers, faculty,
staff, football players, ROTC, you name it, they come.
The rare absence of Kathy from the grill is a great source of anxiety for most omelet
lovers. They come to make sure she’s OK and ask if she will be returning tomorrow.
Kathy not only provides a wonderful breakfast to start the day, but she also cares
about each customer and sends them off with a full belly and a smile on their face.
Her pleasant manners and fluffy eggs remind students of the moms they have left back
home. Kathy and her eggs are definitely a cure for the homesick student.
In order to keep all these customers happy, Kathy cracks about 900 eggs a day! 4,500
a week! In the 12 years she has been whipping up omelets at Miller Dinning Hall, she
has happily cracked over 2 million eggs!
Kathy is a unique asset to the university. She goes above and beyond to help out
at work and give the students the best experience possible. Thank you, Kathy!
Nominated by her supervisors Jill Flores, Marilyn Cox, Kevin Ball and Mike Kosevich.
Nominated by Jill Flores; Received award on February 25, 2015
Extension, MSU-Bozeman
I have had the pleasure to work with Roni as part of the MSU Extension team. Roni
Baker is an exemplary MSU employee. She is solid, reliable, capable, competent and
committed. Roni provides calm, clear leadership. Each year, Roni's positive influence
reaches more than a thousand 4-H members, leaders and volunteers. She is a superb
teacher, full of enthusiasm for learning with ample knowledge to share.
Because of her dedication to her profession, she is able to accomplish more than
most. In addition to her service in Yellowstone County, she provides leadership across
the state and nation in the area of 4-H youth development. She is a highly valued
team member, due in large part to her competence, capacity and reliability.
I could probably list hundreds of reasons why Roni is Pure Gold, but it could all
be condensed to this statement. Every time I interact with Roni, I am better because
of it. You couldn't ask for more than that from a colleague or educator.
Nominated by Jane Wolery; Received award on February 4, 2015
MSU-Bozeman
Nicole Berg
Nominated by student David Neeley
Nicole Berg, you are pure gold! Gold cannot be replaced. It is one of a kind. Its
worth is immeasurable to the one who possesses it. Nicole is gold to Gallatin College
and the students who attend here.
Nicole has been the academic adviser for the past four years. She shows up to work
with smiles for miles. Anything students require, she attacks full on to successfully
meet their needs. She goes far above and beyond the normal call of duty to make sure
every student’s educational experience is challenging and rewarding as anyone could
ask. She is a warm, down to earth person who cares deeply about every student success.
If she is unable to help, she will find the person who can. She makes everyone feel
as though they have known her for years. She will never make a student feel like they
are asking too much of her or her staff. She is there for her students no matter how
difficult their needs.
Students don’t just come to college to be helped and taught by a person like Nicole.
They come to study and try to become that person, which is her. Look Nicole up on
the 2L faculty and staff, and be astonished at her accomplishments. Nicole Berg you
are pure gold. You’re a whole lot of it. Thank you!
Nominated by David Neeley; Received award on April 8, 2015
Procurement Services, MSU-Bozeman
MSU Procurement Services Team
Nominated by colleague MaryLou Wilson
The NIGP (National Institute of Governmental Purchasing) celebrates March as Procurement
Month. What a perfect time to recognize our MSU Procurement Services Team. I have
had the opportunity to work with a variety of individuals in Procurement Services
over the years, and would like to say this staff is exceptional!
Not only do Brian O’Connor, director of procurement services, Alix Byrd, procurement
officer, Cheri Toeniskoetter, procurement associate and Ramie Pederson, procurement
officer, serve the Bozeman campus; they work hand-in-hand with the other three campuses
as well.
This team’s commitment to the success in helping campuses “get it purchased” is commendable.
I can hear the smile in Cheri’s voice when she answers the phone, and I know she is
really listening to the questions I ask. Alix and Ramie always seem to be accessible
in helping figure out what means is available to use in purchasing any needed goods
and services. Brian, well if you have been on campus, I am sure you know him and his
reputation for “getting it done.” He consistently offers sound advice and assists
in finding a solution to meet my needs while keeping me in compliance with the state
rules and regulations. They are experts and help keep all of us out of unwanted procurement
predicaments while providing admirable customer service.
Auxiliary Services and the MSU Procurement Services team have daily interactions
and sometimes they receive numerous calls with out-of-the-ordinary purchasing situations
" just give us an opportunity and we will come up with a need for something different.
In these instances or any time I am not sure of how or what to do, I call them first.
In fact 3211 is my 911 for procurement assistance.
I encourage you all to say thank you and happy procurement month to this great staff
of individuals and to make 3211 your 911 for your purchasing needs.
Nominated by MaryLou Wilson; Received award on April 1, 2015
Plant Sciences, MSU-Bozeman
Andrew's job on the MSU campus entails conducting wheat genetics research. He brings
passion, intensity and enthusiasm to his job. He has inspired me and others to give
their best efforts by leading by example and by his infectious enthusiasm and expressed
desire to complete research projects that may benefit Montana wheat growers. He goes
above and beyond by helping to ensure other researchers, graduate and undergraduate
students are able to complete their projects by offering technical assistance and
advice. This often entails maintaining progress on his own experiments while supervising
technical aspects of other projects, as well.
In his more than 10 years as an MSU research associate, he has helped many students
obtain valuable lab experience enabling them to expand their career opportunities.
Not only is he a dedicated employee, but he is a dedicated MSU volunteer serving as
a scoreboard crew volunteer at both football and basketball games for the last several
years.
Nominated by Mike Giroux; Received award on January 14, 2015
RHA, MSU-Bozeman
Nominated by friend, Katherine Baker
Kaitlin is the best Resident Advisor on campus. She has created a very well knit
floor in Hannon that is always fun and positive. Her door is always open to us to
come talk about anything, and she has candy! She always encourages us to be ourselves,
get involved and make new friends. She even makes gluten-free options available when
she has floor events! Kaitlin volunteers at Eagle Mount weekly and encourages us to
participate in Service Saturdays to give back to our community, as well.
Kaitlin is such a positive and exuberant spirit around all of us. She inspires us
to be ourselves even in our own crazy and weird ways, just like her. She allows us
to be comfortable with and unashamed of our true selves, and that is such an important
thing in life.
Nominated by Katherine Baker; Received award on April 15, 2015
Dean of Students Office, MSU-Bozeman
Ed McKenna-Assistant Dean of Students
Nominated by student, Kassandra Makinen
Ed McKenna is not only a great coach, but he also works hard as the assistant dean
of students at Montana State University Bozeman. This is my second semester playing
rugby, and one of the main reasons I stayed was the coach. Ed pushes us as a team
to greatness. Not only is he always there for us as a mentor of rugby, but he is a
mentor of our schooling as well. If we ever have any issues with a class he is there
to talk through to come up with a resolution.
One of my favorite qualities of Ed is that he knows when to be serious and when to
lighten the mood. During practice everyone shows their true self when we are on the
breaking point from running or repeating a drill 20 times. But he knows when to let
enough be enough or when to tell a joke to release the tension in the room.
Not only does he work in the dean of students’ office, but he also teaches a writing
course and after a long day at school he still makes time to spend with us and teach
us the game of rugby. I believe he deserves pure gold.
Nominated by Kassandra Makinen; Received award on March 25, 2015
Doctor Classes, MSU-Great Falls
Ted Nesmith is Pure Gold because:
He is a former Marine, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and belongs to
the Gun Safety Club. He serves as a senator in the student government and runs the
Food Pantry at Great Falls MSU all while studying to be a doctor.
He will go out of his way to help a fellow man: such as pulling out a car stuck in
the snow when he does not know the person. He helps friends with homework, to better
understand how to open D2L or understand what they need to write.
He will travel out of Great Falls just to help a friend fix a stranded car in any
weather, doing all this without requesting cash. Helping friends is more important
to him than receiving money.
Nominated by Ted Guardipee; Received award on February 11, 2015
Admissions, MSU-Northern
"Thanks for your hard work today."
At the end of every workday, Kristi says this to each of her staff members.
While just a collection of six words, these words reveal Kristi's management and
work style. Kristi Peterson is the director of admissions at Montana State University-Northern.
In her role, she oversees prospect and inquiry communications, travel, and all campus
recruitment efforts.
She not only cares about the quality of work produced by the MSU-Northern admissions
office, but she also cares about making the workplace enjoyable. Kristi takes management
far beyond task assignment; she empowers her staff to become their best selves.
Each day, Kristi imparts co-workers with tales of her life as a new stepmom. She
takes this new station in her life very seriously: constantly carting the kids to
hockey or baseball practice, and always trying to mold them into the best people they
can be.
Life in Northern's Student Success Center would not be the same without Kristi and
that is why she is PURE GOLD.
Nominated by Lindsay Brown; Received award on March 4, 2015
Music Department, MSU-Billings
The University Relations and Communications office and Extended Campus would collectively
like to nominate John Roberts for the Pure Gold Award.
John, a music professor at Montana State University Billings, thrives from sharing
with his students and the Billings community the joy that can be experienced through
music. His passion for jazz and world music is infectious and his energy is boundless.
Earlier this month, John hosted a statewide jazz festival for high school students,
reviving a once very popular festival that had been held annually at MSUB for decades
but dissolved in the late ‘90s. In its revival year, more than 400 people attended
the one-day event that featured workshops, clinics and guest artists.
He worked tirelessly to bring the event back for his students. His dedication and
exemplary leadership exhibits the qualities MSUB holds out to other faculty as examples
of excellence in teaching, community engagement and service.
The festival, John said, is near and dear to him and was one of the main reasons
why he enrolled in college at MSUB. After earning his degree in 1996 in music performance,
he received his master’s of fine arts degree in western orchestral trombone from the
California Institute of the Arts. He has done extensive touring and recording throughout
the world, including a recent visit to Cuba.
John’s return to Billings and MSUB has added a new flavor to the local jazz scene,
and has especially opened students to new opportunities and a fresh, modern take on
music. One of his students said that John has helped bring the jazz scene in Billings
back to life and has encouraged a lot of young people to start playing jazz and other
world music. Students are not only receiving a superior music education from John
Roberts, but they also learn alongside a passionate educator who engages students
to become better people.
Nominated by Aaron Clingingsmith; Received award on March 18, 2015
College of Agriculture/MAES, MSU-Bozeman
AgIThelp@montana.edu, extension 7177, or "Maaaattttttt!" will get you to him.
Whenever we have computing struggles, Matt Rognlie is our mitigator. It is a good
thing he has long legs for all the running he does. As the IT director for the College
of Agriculture and the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, you might expect Matt
to be the one who solves the behind-the-scenes problems and he does that.
His knowledge of the hardware and software to make us more productive ranges from
the bench sciences through the social sciences. Whether it is resolving IP address
problems from his office or sitting with a faculty or staff member who has malware,
access, printing, or any other IT issues, the personal service Matt delivers is what
makes him positively PURE GOLD!
What puts the 24-carat crown on Matt is that he perfectly blends the archetypal computer
geek knowledge and skill with his effusive personality in a way that dissolves stressful
situations, whether that is computer failure or an empty coffee carafe. He does it
with a smile, kindness and explanations that make the technical...understandable.
Sometimes, we are also lucky enough to witness his musical side from humming down
the hallway to playing his trumpet or singing in community orchestra and choir concerts.
You may have seen Matt in his role as assistant band director at Bozeman High School,
but if you ask him about it, he'll divert the conversation away from himself to accolades
for those students.
For such a multi-talented individual, Matt is humble about tooting his own horn.
However, we "trumpet" Matt for his expertise, assistance and servant leadership!
Nominated by Brandi Clark; Received award on January 28, 2015
Military Aerospace Studies, MSU-Bozeman
When it comes to service excellence, Maj. Andrew "Andy" Stohlmann is the role model
on campus and in the community.
Andy serves as an assistant professor of aerospace studies in the College of Engineering
where he teaches military history, management and leadership to more than 50 students
aspiring to become commissioned officers in the United States Air Force.
Andy makes a very positive contribution to the development of our students both academically
and professionally. He exhibits outstanding dedication to Montana State University
while also serving in the Montana Air National Guard in Great Falls. Andy mentors
and guides our students developing good study habits for academic success, and also
good exercise habits encouraging a healthy lifestyle. While he works a full work week
on campus, his weekends are consumed serving our state as an Air Force aviator flying
C-130s for the Montana Air National Guard.
What makes Andy stand out is his commitment to student development; his door is ALWAYS
open and no matter how busy he is he always stops to meet parents, prospective students
and students to share the story of Montana State University and the United States
Air Force. When most people call a 45 -hour work week a full week, that's just the
beginning for Andy. His weeks often exceed 70 hours between his teaching, mentoring
and additional work as an aircraft commander.
One of the friendliest people you will ever meet, he always has a smile on his face
and a positive attitude even in the face of difficult challenges. He keeps this department
on track while 60 percent of our staff and facility positions were vacant.
Although he will never brag on himself, he is certainly deserving of recognition.
For being such a positive and motivated instructor and leader, I am proud to nominate
Andy for President Cruzado's Pure Gold Award.
Nominated by David Weide; Received award on February 19, 2015
Extension Communications and Technology, MSU-Bozeman
Millie Veltkamp is a terrific team leader and master planner. In addition to regular
duties, Millie spearheaded a year-long effort to celebrate the 100th anniversary of
MSU Extension. She was at the center of everything from media to statewide celebrations
at MAES Field Days to creating a unique 100 percent Montana Wool scarf. She led the
charge to host an exquisite dinner celebration on campus.
Veltkamp was the energy behind the Centennial Extension Challenge. She helped plan
a river clean-up, service at the Community Café and a food drive for Extension administration.
In addition, she rallied offices statewide, including other MSU departments and 4-H
clubs to also participate.
At the same time, Veltkamp was working with Activities Insight to create a special
Extension interface allowing necessary state and federal reporting to be done with
other university requirements. This is a huge undertaking and Millie has done it with
cheer. Recently she has conducted webinars and visited agents and specialists to train
on the new system, again, in addition to regular duties. This is a tremendous advancement
for MSU Extension and will vastly improve reporting.
Millie is the first to step up, stay late or show up early. She isn't afraid to take
on extra work for the good of the organization. She inspires us all with her work
ethic and positive attitude.
We are proud to nominate Millie Veltkamp for a Pure Gold Award.
Nominated by Jodie Delay Sara Adlington, Susan Anderegg, Terri Bi; Received award
on January 21, 2015
MSU Alumni Foundation, MSU-Bozeman
Traci Weller-nominated by her supervisor, Mary Jane McGarity
It’s no secret that there has been a significant amount of change at the Alumni Foundation
as we prepare to launch MSU’s most comprehensive private fundraising campaign ever.
During this critical period of preparation, Traci Weller has played a major role in
helping to build a successful foundation for the upcoming campaign for MSU.
In addition to serving as relationship manager for MSU alumni Norm Asbjornson, Traci
has accepted and excelled at responsibilities for Corporate and Foundation Relations,
Liaison for College of Engineering, Regional Lead for Houston and Seattle, and Director
of Annual Fund. In her current role as a Senior Director of Development, Traci manages
the relationship for many of MSU’s greatest financial supporters. As development officers
for MSU, we try to listen more than we talk, and this donor certainly says it best:
“Our contribution to the family scholarship last year was directly tied to Traci’s
performance and the relationship that she has developed with me. Traci always follows
up, never misses a deadline and completes everything she says she will do. Traci builds
and nurtures strong relationships, based on mutual interest, friendship, and sincerity.
We have a large number of organizations that want donations; my relationship with
Traci differentiates MSU from other organizations wanting money. Current performance
is the best indicator of how good a steward of our money MSU would be. Traci turned
our attention back to MSU.”
Traci Weller, you are PURE GOLD!
Nominated by Mary Jane McGarity; Received award on March 11, 2015