The Veterans' Families Freedom Scholarship

By John Baden, PhD, Foundation for Research on Economics & the Environment

In 2012, the Montana State University Alumni Foundation, working in conjunction with interested donors and Montana State University’s Office of Disability, Re-Entry and Veteran Services, established the Veteran Families Freedom Scholarship Initiative. 

Gifts to this initiative create endowed scholarships (for undergraduates) and fellowships (for graduate students) are designed to help:

• Qualifying spouses of veterans—who have made their own tremendous sacrifices—to pursue college degrees and their related economic opportunities.

• Address known gaps in the Post 9/11 GI Bill, improving access to and retention of veterans and veterans’ families at our University

• Empower veteran families to say “Yes, both of us,” rather than ask “But, which of us?” to higher education. 

• Establish MSU and Bozeman as the University and community of choice for those veterans returning from military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Allow the Montana State University community to benefit from the diversity, talents, experiences and leadership skills that our veterans and their families uniquely offer. 

Bozeman is remarkable for its contagious generosity. We swim in a pool of opportunities to participate in good causes.  Many are interconnected. I will spare you the details but this one links Warriors and Quiet Waters, the Montana Chamber Society, the Bozeman Symphony, the Museum of the Rockies, Eagle Mount, the recent Bozeman Gun Show, and the MSU Alumni Foundation. Rejoice in the result and resolve to somehow contribute in 2014.  

Carol Clarke Smith might win the IM (individual medley) in Bozeman's pool of opportunities to participate in good causes. Here is her story:

My motivation for creating the VFFS stems from my experiences as a volunteer for Bozeman's Warriors and Quiet Waters. My favorite job was hosting spouses of Vets for a day of camaraderie. Their stories were heart wrenching. Unlike their military husbands, these courageous women are untrained for the battles of life at home. What most impressed me was their strength, determination and commitment to make their family’s lives as normal as possible, in spite of overwhelming medical circumstances that face so many of our returning Veterans. It is always warming to send them home knowing they were able to laugh, cry, bond, and yes, learn to fly fish in our beautiful Montana! (The first recipient of my scholarship is Saul Martinez's wife, Sarah)! In a serendipitous meeting, Sean Gifford, former president of the Veteran's Association at MSU, an alum, and veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, told me of the scholarship needs of spouses of veterans. While the GI Bill covers veterans' tuitions, spouses are not covered.   As a member of the MSU Alumni Foundation Board, I asked our president, Michael Stevenson, what our foundation was doing for our veterans’ spouses support.  Answer -- nothing...yet.  There was a matching gift MSUAF program in place.  Through this match,  $12,500 became a $25,000 scholarship. If only I had the $$$ I could make this happen.

An unanticipated sale of her family's business in Illinois gave her an opportunity.  Carol Clarke Smith opened a new checking account.  Her first check for $12,500 established the initiative. Then she provided a second check for the same amount. With the match, this provides $50,000 in scholarships for spouses. Carol concludes "Establishing the scholarship is my humble and infinite gratitude to those in the military that have defended our freedom and our great Country. Big hugs to the spouses, children, parents, siblings, of our Vets. Thank you."

Carol feels good—and so will you. To contribute contact Tyler Wiltgen, Principal Gifts Officer: (406) 994-3743, tyler.wiltgen@msuaf.org.

Carol's 'windfall' also funded a contribution to MSU's President's Fine Arts Series and the newly formed Bridger Biathlon Club at Bohart Ranch. These are reason why Carol is a strong contender for the IM (individual medley) in Bozeman's pool of participants in good causes. Please join her team.

Keeping the Resolutions

2014 has arrived, and chances are you've made a resolution or two for the coming year. Whether it be better grades, losing weight, or finding better relationships, it's a great time to make those changes you've been putting off until now. Problem is, though, many fail to keep those resolutions. Fear not; we've compiled a few tips for keeping those resolutions as you head into the new semester.

The "drinking more than everyone else" resolution should be reconsidered.

Don't expect to completely reinvent yourself.

"New year, new me" is a delightfully overused Facebook status this time of year, but that attitude alone sets you up for failure. It's all too easy to make the mistake of taking on too many resolutions; and it can create a domino effect when one does not work out. So instead of resolving to attain a 4.0 GPA, lose 50 pounds, get a better job, save a thousand dollars, and discover the fate of the Amelia Earhart; choose one or two and give them your all.

Set goals that can be gauged.

"Do better in school" is certainly an admirable resolution, but also incredibly vague. How can your success be gauged? Instead, set a specific goal to attain. Try to choose a goal that can be achieved with incremental success along the way, so if the goal is to improve grades; keep track of your individual assignments along the way to keep your eye on the prize.

"I passed Econ!"

Keep the resolutions reasonable.
Ambition certainly isn't a bad thing; it's what keeps our world moving forward. Sometimes, though, we overestimate ourselves as we set our resolutions, and feel the sting of failure when they don't work out. Carefully consider what you think is within your power to accomplish. Instead of shooting for bench-pressing 400 pounds by the end of the year when you have yet to break 200, pick a goal inbetween. Besides, if you surpass what you expected to do, soldier forward and you might just accomplish what you never thought you could.

Slow and steady for reaching those resolutions, don't go overboard.

With all of that in mind, here are some helpful articles for common New Years resolutions:

Weight Loss
Shedding Those Winter Pounds
Working Out for Credit
Avoiding the "Freshman 15"

Improving Grades
Senior Advice

Frugal Use of Money
Frugal Fun

Jobs/Careers
Start Now for a Future Career
Bozeman-Area Careers

Do you have any tips for keeping resolutions? Let us know in the comment section.

The Bridger Bowl Cloud

Why Bridger gets so much snow.

by Christine Rogel 

Every so often, a blue light flashes on top of the Baxter Hotel, alerting anyone within view of the tallest building in Bozeman that snow is falling at Bridger Bowl. The light—a repurposed airport runway strobe that flashes for 24 hours when the ski area receives at least two inches of snow—was installed in 1988 and played an important role before the era of the Internet. It’s related to an isolated weather phenomenon affectionately called the BBC, or Bridger Bowl Cloud,which descends like a blanket over the east-central Bridger Mountains and leaves behind a prodigious amount of snow.

“Because of the BBC, we’d get these isolated snowstorms and get a bunch of snow in the mountains, but nothing was going on in town, so people wouldn’t know,” says Doug Wales, marketing director for Bridger Bowl. “So in the ‘olden days,’ the flashing blue light is how people would become aware it was snowing at Bridger.”

According to Eric Knoff, an avalanche specialist with the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center, the BBC is a “sneaker” and can drop up to 36 inches of snow at Bridger, while only one or two inches end up in town. Don’t be fooled by the clouds pouring over the ridgeline and seeping into the valley—the true BBC is the one that drops loads of snow," says Knoff. 

It’s hard to predict when the mysterious cloud and its revered powder-pouring abilities will occur, but January tends to be a good month for the cloud. During some seasons, the BBC appears half a dozen times, and during others only once or twice, according to Knoff. Last season, despite the thick cloud that frequently obstructed the view of the mountains from town, there was only one cycle of the BBC, when a white blanket fell over the mountain and the Bridgers saw 30 inches of snow in just a few days. It’s times like these, says Knoff, laughing, that “Big Sky has BBC envy.”

The BBC’s beloved snow load is actually not caused by a cloud at all, but rather a weather event called “upslope precipitation,” says Megan Vandenheuvel, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Great Falls. The snow starts to fall when a cold, moist northwestern air flow moves through the canyon and is forced upward by the unique geography of the mountains, creating precipitation in the higher elevations.

Regardless of how it forms or what it’s called, the BBC and its isolated snow showers are, at least in part, responsible for the current location of Bridger Bowl. The weather pattern was considered when the ski area moved from its lower elevation at Bear Canyon in the mid-1950s. It’s a unique phenomenon related to the particular geography of the mountains, and interest in the “cloud” is representative of the enthusiasm locals have for the landscape and the outdoors.

Start Now for a Future Career

by Erin McCormick

What do Boeing, Micron Technology, the USDA, the Peace Corps, and Montana Fish,Wildlife & Parks all have in common? Probably more than you think, especially when you consider that each regularly recruits MSU students for internships and full-time employment. The recruiting season for employers starts as early as the beginning of September for May positions. This means students need to plan to attend early recruiting events by preparing their resumes in advance, researching organizations, and watching for open positions.

As the experts on campus for career-related information, MSU's Career, Internship & Student Employment Services team stays updated on what employers are looking for by keeping in regular contact with hiring authorities. Our office also hosts several career fairs each year to connect these employers with qualified students, in addition to offering free coaching and advising services, resume critiques, practice job interviews, and job-search assistance. We also have an exclusive job-search portal (mycatcareers.com) which offers one-stop searches and applications for full-time jobs, student employment, internships, and volunteer experiences. Students can also sign up for interviews and receive advance notice of which employers will attend upcoming career fairs.

Planning early and gaining experience pays off with employers. Employers report that they're looking for students who have built their resumes while in school by holding leadership positions in clubs and activities, working, doing internships, and even conducting research. In fact, most employers indicate that internship experience is the number one reason they will offer a new college graduate a position with their organization.

Even in a tough economy, employers say they are hiring. But students need to be well versed in their abilities to be competitive. Generally speaking, MSU students are highly qualified for jobs due to their work ethic, trustworthiness, and academic training. By planning ahead, gaining valuable internship and work experience, and putting together a competitive application package, students can get the jobs they want when the time comes.

Erin McCormick is the assistant director of the Career, Internship & Student Employment Services department at MSU. For questions or assistance, call 994-4353 or visit here. 

Pet Perfect

by Patrick Hessman

If you’ve moved into your own apartment or house, you may be looking at the opportunity to have an animal friend in your life again. That year in the dorms without pets was terrible, wasn’t it? Don’t just go out and grab any animal, though; each pet has pros and cons of its own. Here is a handy guide for commonly accepted pets in most apartments, so you can bring an animal friend into your life.

Dogs

Let's get this out of the way now: Most apartments and many houses forbid dogs. Dogs may be the animal that was expertly bred to be the perfect pet, but most landlords don’t appreciate the mess and noise they make. On top of that, dogs need outdoor space you may not have available, and many require daily exercise you may not be able to easily provide. Yet if you do brave the search to find a dog-friendly rental here, it will all be worth it to have man’s best friend in your life. If you do plan to get a dog, consider adopting. There are many dogs out there who need a home, and will love you just the same. Also, be sure to clean up after your pooch—no one likes stepping in the presents they leave behind.

Cats

Unfortunately, for many of the same reasons they prohibit dogs, most landlords are not cat-friendly. They tend to dislike cats for the smell they leave and their kitty trails of destruction. In fact, it’s probably easier to find a dog-friendly apartment in Bozeman than a cat-friendly one. Yet still, they’re out there, so there’s still the possibility of having your own meme generator in your college years. You might just adopt the next Grumpy Cat pictured below.

Birds

Now we’re getting into the rental-friendly domain of the pet kingdom. Birds can often be negotiated on rental leases because they are primarily cage animals. This is a lot more appealing to a landlord than a free-roaming poop machine. They make nice scenery and can come to be affectionate eventually; but also consider bird calls can be as shrill and annoying as their singing can be beautiful—don't say I didn't warn you when Paulie starts shrieking at 2am the night before a major exam.

Birds also claim the "Most Stylish Pet" award.

Reptiles, Fish, and Amphibians
Even if you’re staying in the residence halls, reptiles and fish are an option. Since a tank is even more contained than a cage, most landlords will be okay with a scaly/slimy friend joining your new home. They may all be interesting animals to watch and always look cool, but unlike mammalian and bird pets, these animals will never come to be loving or affectionate. Reptiles also can carry salmonella, so be sure to buy from a reputable pet store.

Who says reptiles can't be cute too?

Something else to consider about reptiles would be their long lifespan: If you plan to travel after graduating, you may have a lizard or turtle that still has decades to live, so be prepared to make accommodations.

Pocket Pets

In many ways, these small mammals are the compromise of pets that are both contained yet still loving. A trip to PetSmart presents you with hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, mice, and my personal favorite, rats. These animals always make a cute conversation piece and rats in particular come to be very loyal and loving animals. They often take some time to acclimate to you though, as rodents haven’t been as thoroughly domesticated as dogs or cats have, but even wild rodents have shown some pet-like tendencies.

Why are people afraid of these things again?

The downside to many small-mammal pets is their short lifespans; they won’t be with you as long as a dog or cat will. As a rat owner, I can attest to the heartbreak that comes from having such a dear friend for such a short time, but they’re worth every minute you have with them.

Few people deny the wonderful effect pets bring to your life. Just make sure to do the research beforehand, and always clear a new addition with your roommates and landlord. Little else is more heartwarming than an animal that thinks you’re the entire world.

Roommate Relations

Keeping things happy on the homefront
by Dan Tang 

After hours of sitting through lectures, trying not to fall asleep, I head back to my room to study for a test... only to find my roommate "having fun" with his girlfriend. He asks me to give him some time. Being a considerate roommate, I decide to grab a cup of coffee and study in the living room, but the coffee I made this morning is gone. Eventually beaten by the Sandman, I fall asleep on the couch, which ultimately leads to a bad test score the next day.

Sound familiar? What can you do when your life is messed up by a bad roommate? Here are some common roommate issues and how to deal with them.

   
1. Cleanliness is a concept lost on your roommate. Your roommate's personal area looks like a jungle, with clothes and junk everywhere. The botany department stopped by last week to take samples.

Advice: Set the standard and provide a model. Clean your part of the room in front of your roommate, putting things in order and moving his stuff out of your own space. Strategic sighs and subtle head-shaking can go a long way here. Chances are, he's simply oblivious; make it clear that you appreciate a clean environment, and that his slovenly ways annoy you.

2.  “Can I borrow everything?” You come home to find your mountain bike covered in mud, your best shirt missing, and your razor covered in hair. 

Advice: Make a point of asking to borrow something of your roommate's, again to set the standard. Make it clear that permission is required, not optional. If needed, create a "sharing list" that defines what's okay to borrow and what's not. If that doesn't work, electrify your hangers.

3. “Do you mind if my friends come over for a while (read: forever)?” Your roommate seems to think you like hanging out with her spastic friend Muffy as much as she does.

Advice: Be as accommodating as possible in this area, especially if you want to have your own friends over once in a while. If it becomes an issue, the best course of action is to establish visitors' hours – evenings, weekends, etc. If your roommate violates them or is abusing the system, speak up – silence is consent. In extreme cases, consider a small party the night before she has a big test. She'll get the picture.

4. The bathroom is your roommate’s second bedroom. You often wonder if your roommate is drowning or sleeping in the tub. You also fear that you're doing permanent damage to your bladder by holding it so long.

Advice: Communicate your needs and coordinate schedules. Your roommate obviously enjoys his private time and doesn't want to be disturbed; chances are he'll choose a time to linger when he knows you won't be banging on the door. A rubber snake dropped into the shower works great, too.

Remember that communication is key, and that the best way to deal with all types of situations is to discuss the situation and negotiate. As the old saying goes, honey attracts more flies than vinegar – be nice, not confrontational, and things will usually work out. If not, you can always get a real snake.

Life is great when you have good roommates. 

Working out for Credit

by Sarah Canfield

We all know how dreadful the gym can be, especially when there are countless distractions to keep you away. That huge pile of homework you’ve been putting off or all your friends heading down to the cafeteria for free ice cream can be more appealing than the gym.

Some will argue that just getting to the gym is the hardest part—but the actual act of burning a few hundred calories isn't necessarily a walk in the park, either. It’s uncomfortable lifting weights and running on the treadmill, sweat pouring down your face, with an extremely buff football player strutting around you lifting more than your own body weight. This uneasy feeling of being at the gym got me thinking, “I’m sure there’s a more productive way to work out with fewer wandering eyes watching my shirt turn from light gray to charcoal.”

A great workout accompanied by good friends and loud music.

I’d heard of taking skiing, snowboarding, billiards, and bowling for credit and wondered if this list of “activity” classes offered any high endurance courses. After a quick search on the montana.edu webpage, I found a list of 16 activities courses, ranging from Beginning Yoga to 5/10K Race Training. Scanning the list, Power Cycling - Indoors caught my eye. My hobbies include sports like skiing, trail running, hiking, and yoga, so having strong stable legs is essential. I thought, “What better way to prepare for a powder day at Bridger Bowl, while receiving MSU credit, than with a mandatory cycling class?”

During the first class we learned the proper bike set-up and did a light workout. The girl-to-guy ratio in the class was about 15:1, which was perfect; the fewer attractive guys staring at me while I drip sweat, the better. It seemed like the class was going to be a relatively easy credit. However, on the second day, the instructor wasted no time breaking us in. After a five-minute warm-up we were climbing hills, sprinting, and jumping till we couldn't feel our legs. The next day, walking to class was a challenge and sitting-down was even harder. I’ve always been an avid athlete, so being this sore came as a surprise. As the weeks kept on, the class grew smaller as people dropped out, and my legs became accustomed to the constant torture. It was an awarding feeling transforming my body with a workout routine I’d never have chosen on my own.

After a year of cycling class I was ready to take on Granite Peak.

The class is not lax—only three non-participations are allowed, no matter what the reason, and the 4th and 5th non-participations have to be made up. After that, you’re out of the class. Students must also pass one bike set-up test and one written test. 

Be warned: this course is addictive. I started this class the fall semester of 2012 and I’m still participating in it. My roommate and I have taken it together for the past two semesters; having a partner makes it more enjoyable and easier to attend. For more information on how to get involved in any activity course visit the MSU website.