October 2nd, 2013

Thirty-two individuals associated with Montana State University will receive new awards during ceremonies associated with MSU’s 2013 homecoming, “Leaders and Legends.” The ceremonies, set for Oct. 4, are free and open to the public.

The awards will be presented at ceremonies hosted by each MSU college in honor of homecoming. The awards honor individuals in four categories, alumni achievement, distinguished faculty, distinguished staff and honorary alumni.

The Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship will hold their ceremony from 9:00-11:00 am in the Procrastinator Theater. This year’s winners are:

Alumni Achievement Award: David B. Orser
Distinguished Faculty Award: Michael D. Reilly
Distinguished Staff Award: Halina Rickman
Honorary Alumni Award: Alan R. Kahn

David Orser will be honored during the Orser Executive Speakers Forum on Thursday, October 10. The fall Orser speaker is Dr. M.H. Elovitz and his presentation will take place from 4:10-5:30 pm. The event is on the MSU calendar here: https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/9926.

One other award associated with Homecoming is the Blue & Gold Award, one of the most prestigious awards MSU grants.

Business alumnus Jim Alderson (’69) and his wife, Connie, are one of five recipients of this award for 2013. The Aldersons of Whitefish, Mont. and southern California, are long-time MSU supporters who are recognized for their work with a diverse group of MSU students, from entrepreneurs to student-athletes to fraternity and sorority members. Read more about the Aldersons and the Alderson Program in Entrepreneurship here: https://www.montana.edu/business/e-center/alderson.html

This award honors individuals who have rendered great lifetime service or who have brought national or international distinction to MSU or the state of Montana. Awardees must have achieved prominence through service to one or more of the following: profession, family, country, world, university, philanthropy or humanity.

For more information about the Homecoming celebrations or the Blue & Gold Award, please contact Kerry Hanson, director of Alumni Relations, 406-994-7620 or [email protected].