Current Pure Gold Recipients
Teresa Wilhelm turned 40 on November 1, 2025! 40 Years of Service at MSU that is! If you haven't had the opportunity to meet Teresa in person, our assumption is you have definitely met her baked goods. Teresa is the General Manager of MSU's very own Indulge Bakery and Commissary Kitchen. She's spent her career carefully crafting tasty recipes to serve across campus but more importantly she's crafted a workplace culture of respect and appreciation for a job well done.
It is our privilege to nominate Teresa for her unwavering work ethic, tireless adaptability, and consistently positive attitude. She actively embraces change with a steadfast commitment to growth and can regularly be heard contemplating "Will this make the student's experience better?" Committed to modeling excellent leadership, Teresa demonstrates a deep appreciation for her team at every interaction including the 1500+ students she's mentored over the years. We greatly value her partnership as she always takes the time to get things right for her team with a cheerful tone and a sense of humor through any challenge. In our hearts, Teresa is Pure Gold, and we see that golden light shining from the bakery windows of Hapner Hall every day!
Award recieved on February 25th, 2026.Nominated by Becky McMillan, Kerri Marx, Dori Fuentes-Sanchez, and Amy Hager.
I would like to nominate Jordan Penney for 16 years of dedicated service at the Northwestern Ag Research Center. Jordan's contributions to MSU are invaluable. His knowledge, reliability and problem-solving skills are essential to the research center's success. He serves as a trusted ambassador to the Flathead community for the work we do and has earned the respect of local producers and his coworkers alike. As farm manager, he has trained me on equipment and supported my efforts to learn about our farm operations. He continually goes above and beyond to assist our research teams with equipment needs, harvesting, irrigation and so much more. Jordan personally helped me apply soil amendments by hand to a field study this fall during a very narrow weather window. Thanks to his willingness to help, we were able to finish the application just before the rain arrived. Jordan inspires me through his work ethic, curiosity about the natural world, humor and generosity. He treats each day like a challenge for himself, brings humor to any situation and listens more than he speaks. His humble leadership, genuine care for others and desire to do good work elevates those around him and make him an exceptional coworker.
Award recieved on February 18th, 2026. Nominated by Emily McGarvey.
It's an honor to suggest Jana Shank for the Pure Gold Award in recognition of her extraordinary dedication and leadership throughout our transition to the new Canvas learning system. From the earliest planning stages to the final rollout, she has committed an exceptional amount of time, energy and creativity to ensure that our faculty were fully supported. Her depth of knowledge, combined with her patience and willingness to assist at any hour, made her an indispensable guide during this major change. She has answered countless questions, never once making anyone feel rushed or overwhelmed, and consistently provided clear, practical solutions. Whether she was troubleshooting technical issues, creating innovative course design templates or offering one-on-one coaching sessions, she approached every task with positivity and professionalism. What truly sets Jana apart is her collaborative spirit. She anticipated challenges before they emerged and developed resources that empowered all of us to feel more confident using Canvas. Her calm presence helped reduce anxiety and fostered a sense of teamwork during a time when many felt uncertain about the new system. Because of her tireless effort, the transition was not only smooth but also an opportunity for growth and improved teaching practices. Our successful launch of Canvas would simply not have been possible without her guidance. Jana exemplifies excellence in nursing education and embodies the very spirit of the Pure Gold Award. Her contributions have had a lasting, positive impact on our program, and we are deeply grateful for her unwavering support. - Jordan Teller
Jana Shank embodies Pure Gold at MSU as she has truly been a lifesaver for the College of Nursing. During our transition to a Canvas, Jana was the steady, positive force we all needed as our superuser who went above and beyond. What could have been a stressful and confusing process became manageable - sometimes even enjoyable - because of her upbeat attitude, patience and incredible willingness to help. In her superuser Canvas role, Jana is always available to troubleshoot Canvas issues, explain features or offer tips, even when our questions are basic or we feel technologically incompetent. She never makes anyone feel embarrassed for asking; instead, she brings a cheerful, "We've got this" energy that immediately puts you at ease. She has given time and energy well above her allotted workload. Her enthusiasm for helping others succeed shines through in everything she does. Jana genuinely wants faculty to feel confident and supported and she cares deeply about creating the best possible learning experience for students. Her encouragement, kindness and problem-solving skills have made a huge difference in our day-to-day work. Jana's positivity, dedication and unwavering support make her an invaluable part of our Bobcat community - and truly Pure Gold. - Mary Pankratz
It is my pleasure to nominate Jana Shank for a Pure Gold award. Jana is with the MRJCON on the Great Falls Campus. However, Jana has taken the lead across all five of our campuses to facilitate the entire college's transition to Canvas, which went live for us during our summer 2025 term. Jana spent hours training and offering support to over 130 full- and part-time faculty for before, during and after the go-live date. Drawing on best practices, she led college efforts to develop standardized course shells across all campuses for a more consistent and streamlined nursing student experience. She communicated updates from the MSU team, developed multiple internal group working sessions for faculty to collectively work on course development, and made herself available the entire fall semester for on-demand training and support for faculty from any nursing campus. As her department head, I heard frequently from faculty on other campuses about how grateful they were for her assistance and how they perceived her as "a lifesaver" to them as they were getting up and running. I can safely say that her efforts have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition across our entire college and greatly enhanced our implementation. - Susan Luparell
Award recieved on February 11th, 2026.
Officer Sean McIntyre consistently goes above and beyond the expectations of his position, playing a vital role in maintaining the safety and well-being of the campus and surrounding community. He leads the department in DUI arrests and proactive traffic enforcement, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to public safety and crime prevention. Officer McIntyre is routinely the first officer to report for duty and the last to leave, setting the standard for work ethic and professionalism.
Beyond enforcement, he takes a proactive and educational approach to policing by directly engaging with fraternities and community members to promote safety, accountability and responsible behavior. Through his leadership, initiative and willingness to assist others, Officer McIntyre inspires his fellow officers to continually raise the bar. He is always willing to step in, provide guidance and support his peers in any capacity needed. His dedication, drive and positive influence make him an invaluable asset to the department and a model officer.
Award recieved on February 4th, 2026. Nominated by Mason Lawrence Lavender.
I am proud to nominate Jacqueline Centofanti for MSU's Pure Gold recognition. As the Membership and Database coordinator at Montana PBS, Jacqueline exemplifies dedication, creativity, and community impact. She excels in her role with precision and care, ensuring data systems support the station's mission effectively. Jacqueline serves on MSU's Staff Senate and is an active FOCUS union member. She continues to contribute as an alumna by editing the newsletter for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, which she joined as an MSU student.
Jacqueline brings excellent customer service skills and professionalism to every project, providing detailed notes, organized ideas, and thoughtful insights that improve workflows and outcomes. Her behind-the-scenes work supports the production and development of high-quality public media content that educates and inspires Montanans. Her contributions go far beyond her job description. Jacqueline is a generous team player, stepping up at events, mentoring interns and even boosting morale with homemade treats. Her quiet competence, kindness and collaborative spirit embody the best of MSU's values. Jacqueline Centofanti is Pure Gold. Her lasting impact is felt not only at Montana PBS but throughout the MSU community and beyond.
Award recieved on January 28th, 2026. Nominated by Jeannie Gracey.
Kody Gilleo, a valued member of the Information Technology department at the College of Great Falls, plays a critical role in supporting students, faculty and staff by resolving technical issues and ensuring smooth operations across campus systems. This year, a new partnership was established between the College of Great Falls and Great Falls Public Schools to offer a dual credit course at Great Falls High School. As part of this, Kody stepped outside his usual campus environment to assist a class of 28 high school students in setting up and navigating Canvas, the college's learning management system.
Although he arrived with a plan, the dynamic nature of the high school classroom quickly required flexibility and patience. Kody adapted seamlessly, working one-on-one with students and often answering the same question multiple times, all with kindness, good humor and professionalism. His willingness to go above and beyond - leaving campus, providing on-site support and remaining available via phone and text throughout the following week - ensured that every student was successfully onboarded and able to complete their assignments. Kody's efforts demonstrated exceptional leadership, collaboration and commitment to student success. Through his work, Kody has strengthened the relationship between Great Falls High School and the College of Great Falls, setting a positive tone for future partnerships. Sincere thanks for his dedication and for going the extra mile.
Award recieved on January 21st, 2025. Nominated by Teresa Mouser.
Mindy Brown has been a light in my professional life at MSU since 2013 when she helped me write my very first contracts and balance my first budgets. This past year, she shone in new and incredible ways while supporting the Business Operations Manager team in the College of Education, Health and Human Development. She has worked hard to ensure that these managers have appropriate training and support, which is especially important given the crucial importance of their positions. Mindy's willingness to support others and walk them through processes (sometimes multiple times with multiple whiteboard marker colors), procedures, and various forms of training is remarkable.
Not only is she a delight to work with, she understands darn near everything but never insists that others do things exactly the way she does them. Instead, she helps foster understanding and encourages finding what works for each unit and its people. Instead of saying "if you get hit by a bus," her signature phrases "follow the money" and "in case you win the lottery" help everyone feel comfortable asking questions and solving problems as a group. She is a team player, a fast responder, a critical thinker, and a realistic and humble leader. It is a joy to work with Mindy and know she has your back. She's just a good human, and MSU is lucky to have her Pure Gold outlook and support.
Award recieved on January 14th, 2026. Nominated by Kayte Kaminski.