Montana State University

Montana State University – Bozeman
Motto	Mountains & Minds
Established	1893
Type	public, land-grant, coed
Endowment	US$86.7 million [1]
President	Waded Cruzado.
Provost	Martha Potvin [2]
Academic staff	1,040 [2009 Fall]
Admin. staff	1,924 [2009 Fall]
Students	14,153 [2011 Fall]
Undergraduates	10,840 [2009 Fall]
Postgraduates	1,924 [2009 Fall]
Location	Bozeman, Montana, U.S. 45°40′06″N 111°03′00″W / 45.66833°N 111.05°W / 45.66833; -111.05Coordinates: 45°40′06″N 111°03′00″W / 45.66833°N 111.05°W / 45.66833; -111.05
Campus	University town 1,170 acres (470 ha)
Colors	Blue and Gold
Nickname	Fighting Bobcats
Mascot	Champ
Affiliations	Big Sky Conference, NCAA D-I
Website	www.montana.edu

Montana State University – Bozeman (MSU) is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System. MSU offers baccalaureate degrees in 51 fields, master's degrees in 41 fields, and doctoral degrees in 18 fields through its nine colleges.

Over 14,100 students attend MSU, and the university faculty numbers approximately 700 full-time and 420 part-time. The university's main campus in Bozeman is home to KUSM television, KGLT radio and the Museum of the Rockies. MSU provides outreach services to citizens and communities statewide through its eight Agricultural Experiment Stations and 60 county and reservation Extension Offices.

History

MSU was founded in 1893 as the state's land-grant college, and named the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Later renamed the Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, by the 1920s it was commonly referred to as Montana State College (MSC).

Recognizing the institution's growth and excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, the state assembly renamed the institution Montana State University on July 1, 1965. Located on the south side of scenic Bozeman, the university's sprawling 1,170 acres (470 ha) campus is the largest in the state. The elevation of the campus is 4900 feet (1493 m) above sea level.[1]

Academics

A south-facing view from the campus of Montana State University - Bozeman. The public sculpture is "Wind Arc" by Gary Bates.

MSU is the national leader for Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowships and is among the top ten institutions in the country for recipients of Goldwater Scholarships. The university counts among its graduates several recipients of the Rhodes and Truman scholarships, and MSU has consistently produced winners of USA Today Academic All-America honors. U.S. News and World Report has routinely listed MSU as one of America's "best buys" for undergraduate education, and ranks it in the third tier of National Universities. Montana State University offers the world's only Master of Fine Arts degree in Science and Natural History Filmmaking, and MSU's Museum of the Rockies is home to the largest T. Rex skull ever found—bigger, even, than "Sue" at the Chicago Field Museum.

Montana State University has recently made a name for itself as "the University of Yellowstone," for its extensive research and scholarly activities concerning the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Montana State University has received more than five times the number of National Science Foundation grants for Yellowstone studies than its nearest competition, Stanford and UCLA, according to David Roberts, head of MSU's ecology department.

Colleges

• College of Agriculture
• College of Arts and Architecture
• College of Business
• College of Education, Health & Human Development
• College of Engineering
• College of Letters and Science
• College of Nursing
• University College
• College of Graduate Studies

Gallatin College

Gallatin College is a two-year college for degree-seeking students and is housed on MSU-Bozeman campus to provide access to MSU campus student services including: dormitories, library facilities, and health services. As of September 2011,^[3] Gallatin College offers three Associate of Applied Science Degrees, one Certificate of Applied Science, and a Developmental Education Program. It also offers a Dual Enrollment program for local high school students to broaden their available range of coursework offerings and share educational resources between MSU and local high schools.

Notable MSU Faculty and Guest Instructors (past and present)

• Richard Brautigan, taught Creative Writing Spring, 1982^[4]
• Peter Fonda, taught Film Workshop, Fall, 2000^[5]
• Jack Horner, Regents Professor of Paleontology and Curator of Paleontology, Museum of the Rockies, teaches Paleontology^[6]
• Patrick Markey, taught as Adjunct Professor.^[7]
• Christopher Parkening, Classical Guitarist (Honorary Doctorate 1983),^[8] teaches annual Master Guitar Class^[9]
• Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, taught creative writing 1959-1961.^[10]
• Bill Pullman, taught Theater and active with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks^[11][12]
• David Quammen, Science, Nature, and Travel Writer (Honorary Doctorate, 2000) taught and served as Wallace Stegner Professor in Western American Studies, 2006-2008.^[13]
• Frances Senska, taught Ceramics Arts, 1946-1973.^[14][15]
• Gary Strobel, Microbiologist and Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, teaches Plant Sciences^[16]

Athletics

The MSU athletic teams are nicknamed the Bobcats, and they participate in NCAA Division I (I-FCS for football) in the Big Sky Conference, of which Montana State University is a charter member. They field 15 varsity sports.^[17] Originally playing as the Aggies, men's teams compete in football, basketball, track, cross-country, skiing, rodeo and tennis. Women's teams include volleyball, basketball, track, cross-country, tennis, golf, rodeo and skiing.

Montana State University has won several national championships in men's rodeo, three national championships in football and one national championship in men's basketball. Non-varsity (club) sports include men's hockey, men's lacrosse, baseball, fencing and ultimate frisbee. Montana State University has an ongoing rivalry with the University of Montana.

Basketball

Montana State University Bobcats Basketball history includes one of college basketball's legendary teams, the Golden Bobcats of the late 1920s. The school's basketball teams had acclaimed fame throughout the 1920s by playing "racehorse basketball" and becoming one of the first schools in the nation to employ what is know as the fast break. Montana State College coach Ott Romney, who graduated with a Masters from MSC prior to WWI,^[18] pioneered the style of play, and by 1926 had assembled a team perfectly suited to playing an up-tempo brand of ball. Cat Thompson, John "Brick" Breeden, Frank Ward, Val Glynn and Max Worthington were at the heart of the MSC team that won the Rocky Mountain Conference title three straight seasons, and bested Utah State, BYU, Colorado, and Denver University. The 1928–29 team reached college basketball's zenith by defeating the AAU Champion Cook's Painters in a two-of-three series and steamrolling to the Rocky Mountain Conference title. The team was named National Champions by the Helms Foundation, which also named Cat Thompson one of the five greatest players in the first half of the 20th century in college hoops.

Football

The Montana State University Bobcats Football Team has a proud NCAA history. In 1956 the Bobcats football team won a share of the Aluminum Bowl in Little Rock, Arkansas playing to a tie with the Pumas of St. Joseph’s College from Rensselaer, Indiana. In 1976 the Bobcats of Montana State won a national football title in Wichita Falls, Texas beating the Zips of Akron, Ohio 24-13 in the title game. In 1984, the Bobcats returned to a national football title game played in Charleston, South Carolina beating Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech 19-6 for their third national football title. The MSU Bobcats football team made the NCAA FCS playoffs in 2010.

Rodeo

Montana State University Bobcat Rodeo has a long proud history with the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. For almost 30 years MSU hosted the College National Finals Rodeo. Bobcat Rodeo teams have won 7 national team titles, 31 individual national championships and multiple Big Shy Regional crowns. The Bobcats Rodeo team operates under the MSU Department of Student Affairs and enjoys outstanding booster support form the C.A.T. Rodeo Scholarship Association.

Skiing

Montana State University Bobcat Alpine and Nordic Ski Team compete in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Skiing Association and the NCAA Western Region and has produced 13 national champions. The Bobcat nordic and alpine ski program venues at Bridger Bowl and Bohart Ranch have hosted six NCAA National Championships.^[19]

Notable alumni

• Ken Amato, (1998) NFL longsnapper^[20]
• Rudy Autio, Ceramic Artist^[21]
• Kevin Michael Connolly, (2008) Author, Photographer, and Filmmaker^[22]
• Doug Coombs, (1985) Winner of the World Extreme Skiing Championship, in 1991 and 1993 ^[23][24][25]
• John Dahl, (1980) Director and screenwriter^[26]
• Lance Deal, (1984) 1996 Olympic silver medalist for the hammer throw^[27]
• Kevin Donavan, (1982) Feature film director^[28]
• Dennis Erickson, (1970) Professional football NFL head coach and collegiate head coach^[29]
• Zales Ecton, (1919) Montana Senator served 1947–1951^[30][31]
• Maurice Ralph Hilleman (1966) Microbiologist and Vaccinologist^[25][32]
• Craig Kilborn, (1987) TV host, Sportscaster, Actor^[33]
• David S. Lee, (1960) and Honorary PhD (1993) Regent of the University of California, Chairman of the Board, eOn Communications Corporation
• Sam McCullum, (1974) NFL wide recevier^[34]
• Mike McLeod, (1979) NFL safety^[35]
• Wally McRea, (1958) Rancher, Cowboy Poet, Activist^[25][36]
• Larry Rubens, (1982) NFL center^[37]
• Brian Schweitzer, (MS 1980) Governor of Montana
• Mary Higby Schweitzer (Ph.D 1995), Paleontologist
• Diane Smith, (MA 2004) Novelist^[38]
• Jan Stenerud (1966) NFL kicker^[39]
• Kari Swenson, Veterinarian and 1984 Olympic Women's Biathlon 3 x 5 km relay Bronze Medalist.^[40]
• Joe Tiller (1964), Former head football coach at Purdue University
• Peter Voulkos, Ceramic Artist
• Sarah Vowell, (1993) Writer, Journalist, and Voice Actor^[25]
• Irving Weissman (1961) Professor of Pathology and Developmental Biology and Director of the Stanford Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine^[25]

Honorary Degree

• Tom Brokaw, Broadcast Journalist and Author (Honorary Degree, 2011)^[41]
• Elouise Cobell, Business Woman and Native American Activist (Honorary Degree, 2002)^[42]

MSU in Arts and Culture

Notable Connections

• Lincoln Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island
• Alex Lowe, Mountain Climber^[43]

Books

• Double Take by Kevin Michael Connelly (memoir, 2009)
• Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith (novel, 1999)
• Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig (novel, 1974)

Movies

• Jurassic Park (1993) – Jack Horner supervised designs
• A River Runs Through It (1991) – Strand Union Building used as location

See also

• List of college athletic programs in Montana

References

1. ^ "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. http://www.nacubo.org/Documents/research/2009_NCSE_Public_Tables_Endowment_Market_Values.pdf. Retrieved March 8, 2010. 
2. ^ "MSU names Martha Potvin new Provost". http://www.kbzk.com/news/msu-names-martha-potvin-new-provost/. Retrieved January 24, 2011. 
3. ^ Gallatin College. "Programs". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/gallatincollege/. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
4. ^ "Richard Brautigan Teaching". Brautigan.net. http://www.brautigan.net/teaching.html. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
5. ^ "MSU Today Bulletin, Sep. 1, 2000". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/msutoday/archive/bulletin20000901.shtml#on3. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
6. ^ "Letters and Science Faculty". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/wwwes/facstaff/horner.htm. 
7. ^ "Horse Whisperer Producer Affiliates with MSU-Bozeman Film School". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/wwwpb-archives/univ/markey.html. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
8. ^ "Academic Faculty". Pepperdine University. http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/faculty/member.htm?facid=christopher_parkening. 
9. ^ "MSU University Summer Class". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=7311. 
10. ^ Rydell, Safford, Mullen (1992). In the People's Interest: A Centennial History of Montana State University. MSU Foundation. pp. 88. 
11. ^ "Six Honorary Degrees to Be Awarded By UMass Amherst at Commencement Ceremonies". University of Massachusetts Amherst. http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/75119.php. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
12. ^ "New York Times Movie & TV Full Biography". New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/person/58045/Bill-Pullman/biography. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
13. ^ Boswell, Evelyn. "New Stegner professor to hit the ground running". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=4110. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
14. ^ "Frances Senska". Craft in America. http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_clay/story_222.php?PHPSESSID=7e913787669b0f34d10d1c25e11a570e. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
15. ^ "Humble Grace: A Tribute to Frances Senska". Yellowstone Art Museum. http://www.artmuseum.org/index.php/exhibitions/exh-archived/151-humble-grace-a-tribute-to-frances-senska?f936e45de371569e7c870c0c95a279b9=69741d32020ed68afd8c00abbfa89dce. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
16. ^ "Gary Strobel: Microbiologist at MSU". Distinctly Montana. http://www.distinctlymontana.com/article/gary-strobel-microbiologist-msu. Retrieved 22 August 2011. 
17. ^ http://www.msubobcats.com/
18. ^ "G. Ott Romney Staff Bio | Athletic Director". Bringham Young University. http://byucougars.com/staff/athletics/g-ott-romney. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
19. ^ "Bobcat Skiing A Commitment to Excellence". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/bobcats/upload/cbfile_e_e_e_e_e_e_200804.pdf. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
20. ^ WALKER, TERESA M.. "Ken Amato, former MSU long snapper, catches on with the Titans". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. http://www.notes.hypercrit.net/2008/08/jeff-amato-former-msu-long-snapper-catches-on-with-the-titans/. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
21. ^ "Oral history interview with Rudy Autio, 1983 Oct. 10-1984 Jan. 28". Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institutio. http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/interviews/oral-history-interview-rudy-autio-11713. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
22. ^ "Kevin Connolly to deliver MSU Freshmen Convocation lecture on Sept. 8". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=8737. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
23. ^ Porter Fox, "Legendary: Remembering Doug Coombs" Powder 35, no. 1 (Sept. 2006): 76–87, on 77.
24. ^ "Extreme skiing pioneer and mountain guide killed in a cliff fall in France". Skiing Heritage. http://www.skiinghistory.org/coombs.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
25. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Notable L&S Alumni". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/lettersandscience/alumni_notable.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
26. ^ Schmidt, Carol. "Calling the shots". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/mountainsandminds/article.php?article=9650. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
27. ^ "Director of Track & Field Venues and Program Support". Oregon Ducks Track and Field. http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=22483. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
28. ^ "Former Montana State linebacker director". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/article_fd2f87a9-450f-5bc4-b83f-d072cc47c01a.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
29. ^ "Dennis Erickson Named To Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame". Sun Devil Athletics Football. http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/062810aad.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
30. ^ "Zales Ecton, Former U.S. Senator from Montana, 1947-1952 (Republican)". United States Government Documents. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=403732&tab=votes. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
31. ^ "Collection 1069 - Zales N. Ecton Papers, 1947-1953". Montana State University. http://www.lib.montana.edu/collect/spcoll/findaid/1069.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
32. ^ "Trail-blazing biologist whose vaccines saved millions from death - and tens of millions from disease". Times Newspapers Ltd. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article382704.ece. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
33. ^ "Yahoo Movies: Craig Kilborn Biography". Yahoo Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1804707049/bio. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
34. ^ "Sam McCullum". School of the Legends. http://www.schoolofthelegends.com/user/3107/view. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
35. ^ Cnockaert, Jim. "Chronicle article - Mike McLeod". Bozeman Daily Chronicle - Bobcat Alumni Message Board. http://www.bobcatnation.com/bobcatbb/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9233. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
36. ^ Becker, Michael. "There's more to Wally McRae than 'Reincarnation'". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/mountainsandminds/index2009.php. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
37. ^ "Panther Football College Players". http://www.meadfootball.com/alumni.html. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
38. ^ "MSU Letters and Sciences Ph.D Candidates". Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/wwwhi/2010/GradWebPages/Smith.html. 
39. ^ "Jan Stenerud Kicker, 1967-79". Chiefs Warpath. http://www.chiefswarpath.com/teamhistory/stenerud.htm. Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
40. ^ <http://tv.yahoo.com/the-abduction-of-kari-swenson/show/1468/castcrew
41. ^ "Brokaw to speak at MSU on Feb. 28". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_f333c890-2c12-11e0-934a-001cc4c002e0.html. Retrieved 20 August 2011. 
42. ^ Schontzler, Gail (May 11, 2002). "Home First Native American woman to receive MSU's highest honor takes on government". Bozeman Daily Chronicle. http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/article_218b8452-851d-53a9-b018-dd0a52197dc3.html. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
43. ^ "Alex Lowe". Montana Kids. http://montanakids.com/cool_stories/famous_montanans/lowe.htm. Retrieved 22 August 2011. 

External links

• Official website
• Official Athletics website
• This is MSU 2008-2009