Dear friends,

Line drawing of Montana State University President Brock Tessman.

Montana State University carries tremendous momentum — it builds each day through the achievements of students and faculty in our classrooms, studios and laboratories, by the victories of our Bobcat student-athletes, and by the service we give to communities across the state of Montana. Our momentum is on full display in this edition of Mountains and Minds. “A generational view” tells the story of our university’s 12th Rhodes Scholar, Doriane Keiser, who eventually plans to return to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation where she grew up to work for the betterment of individual and community mental health. “From discovery to defense” examines our university’s research and outreach efforts related to Lyme disease, which is newly discovered in the Treasure State. “Where the fossils are” details how MSU’s paleontology program has equipped students to succeed in their future careers. And “The weight of generations” takes another look at our Bobcat football team’s heart-stopping national championship victory in January.

While we rightfully celebrate our present and past with you, Montana State University is even more focused on acceleration, into a future that is filled with even greater achievements and even more ways to serve our students and our state. In February, we kicked off the process of creating a new strategic plan that will be a shared vision for the future of MSU, a roadmap for the university for years to come. Through listening sessions, road trips and online surveys, MSU has spent months gathering input from students, faculty, staff, community members and others who care about this university. That process will continue throughout the summer, and then we’ll sit down to analyze what we’ve heard and, ultimately, present a new strategic plan in November when our campus hosts the state's Board of Regents meeting.

The goal is to generate new ideas, new ambitions and actionable strategic priorities that will take Montana State to even greater heights, so please, share your thoughts and feedback about the future of MSU by joining us at a community listening session or by completing the online survey. More information – including the dates of future listening sessions and the survey itself – can be accessed at www.montana.edu/strategicplan. I am so excited to hear your ideas!

In the meantime, I hope the stories you find in the pages of this magazine will provide inspiration and give you confidence in the future of our university, state and world.

In Blue and Gold,

Signature of President Brock Tessman.

Brock F. Tessman
President, Montana State University