GHS Educational Trust Passes Million-Dollar Milestone

GHS Educational Trust Passes Million-Dollar Milestone

            What was once a distant dream of the original trustees of the Glasgow High School Educational Trust became a reality this year.  The total value of financial aid given by the trust to GHS alumni to help finance their higher education since the trust’s inception to date exceeded one million dollars --$1,065,650 to be exact!   These monetary “gifts” have helped hundreds of different students, and many of them have received multiple awards over their courses of study. 

            Established by the GHS Class of 1938 in 1964, the Glasgow High School Educational Trust has been faithfully nurtured by generous donors from the area and across the nation.  Donations to the trust are invested and the interest earned is awarded through a semi-annual application process.  Students who apply by June 15th of each year are eligible for gifts for the full academic year.  Those who apply by November 15th are eligible for the upcoming spring semester only.  All GHS alumni who are enrolled as full-time students in an accredited institution and have completed at least one year of college or one semester of vocational-technical school and are in good academic standing are eligible to apply.  The gifts are based primarily on need, not scholarship, and students with average grades who are making steady progress toward completion of their degrees are given equal consideration.   Students may apply for assistance for a total of eight semesters or the quarter equivalent. 

            In addition to the gifts made to students, the trust also makes awards to GlasgowHigh Schoolto purchase equipment and programs that cannot be financed within the district’s budget.  These gifts have benefited every department of the school as well as the broader community by improving facilities that are used by the general public and many other school districts.  One such example is the choral risers used each year for district music festivals and the honors choir concerts that bring students from throughout the region to GHS to work with guest professionals.  The total value of these gifts to date is $139,724.68.

            The Glasgow High School Educational Trust deliberately refers to the contributions it receives and the awards it makes as “gifts.”  It has been the philosophy of the trust for decades that only a continuation of the spirit of giving and dedication to community exemplified by the founders and many other long-term supporters will enable the trust to grow to help an ever-increasing number of alumni and strengthen local education.  While neither recipients nor their families are expected to pay back the money they are gifted, they are always encouraged to “pay it forward” by contributing to the trust when they are in a position to do so.  Donations may be made in honor, memory, or recognition of an individual or organization for any occasion in any amount.  Contributions of $500 or more in the name of a specific person or group allow for a gift to be made in that name once.  Donations of $10,000 or more allow for an annual naming opportunity in perpetuity.  Although the trust has received a significant number of large contributions of cash, stock, and real estate, equally important to its growth have been the thousands of smaller donations consistently made over many years.  All donations are tax deductible and no gift is too small.

            Applications for gifts, donation forms, and more information about the trust are available at ghsedutrust.org or by calling Jeanine Markle (406 228-2858); Doris Leader (406  746-3432); Danielle Anderson(406 228-4203) or Linda Allie (406 228-8561). 

            At its recent semi-annual meeting, the trust made the following awards for the 2009-2010 school year to 47 students attending 18 different institutions:

1ST TIME RECIPIENTS                   IHO, IMO or IRO                               SCHOOL

1.   Archambeault, Kelsie M.                IHO Charlotte Bruce                              MSU-Billlings

2.   Barstad, Nathaniel T.                      IHO O.E. & Lois Markle Family            St. Edwards      University

3.   Engstrom, Avery A.                        IMO Doris K. Maag                              Rasmussen College

4.   Enebo, Kyle D.                              IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison                      Dickinson State University     

5.   Flood, Clayton J.                            IMO Cecil & Chloe Toftness                  Miles Community College

6.   Johnson, Janelle L.                     IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud                 University of  N.D.

7.   Kliewer, Whitney A.                       IMO L. J. & Jean Baker                         University of Montana

8 .  Knaff, Laura E.                               IRO Vern & Edna Richardson Fam.       University of Montana

9.   Lannen, Cassandra F.                     IRO James & Eleanor Wedum Fam.    MSU-Bozeman

10. Lee, Marcus J.                               IRO Arthur & Audrey Parke                  University of N.D.

11. See, Brock R.                                IRO Willard & Charlotte Bruce Fam.   Helena College of  Tech

12. Sukut, Hannah K.                           IMO Dr. F.M. & Bernice Knierim          University of Montana

13. Vaira, Navarr R.                             IMO James & Anne Hoffman                 MSU-Bozeman

14. Wesen, Kara D.                             IMO Leonard H & Kathryn L Langen University of Montana

2nd TIME RECIPIENTS                   IHO, IMO, or IRO                               SCHOOL

1.   Daggett, Sean C.                            IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison                       Minot State University

2.   Daggett, William C.                        IMO Del Lind                                         MSU-Bozeman

3.   Dawson, David D.                          IMO Harry Rybock                                 Brigham Young University

4.   Durell, Kevin A.                             IRO Leroy & Bess Lockwood Fam.      MSU-Bozeman

5.   Falcon, Kimberly J.                        IMO Kenneth J. Bruce                MSU-Billings

6.   Hering, Karra T.                             IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison                       MSU-Bozeman

7.   Kastet, Ross                                   IRO John & Catherine Etchart Fam.        U of MT – COT

8.   Kountz II, Jim G.                            IRO Paul & Joyce Ruffcorn Jacobson   MSU-Bozeman

9.   Lannen, Curtis J.                             IRO The Stannebein Family                     University of Idaho

10. Lawson, Jesse A.                           IMO Merlin L. Hovland                           U of MT – COT

11. Moorman, Lawson P.                     IRO Glenn R & Carolee Grina Wallem MSU-Bozeman

12. Morehouse, Brandy E.                    IRO Arthur & Audrey Parke                   MSU-Billings

13. Nichols, Alysa J.                             IMO Dean Rusher                                   University of Montana

14.Ost, Aimee L.                                  IMO Jeanette Corey                                University of Great Falls

15. Rasmusan, Torey J.                        IMO Mabel C. Hovland                          University of Montana

16. Schultz, Jakob T.                            IRO Tom & Flora Coghlan Family           MSU-Bozeman

17. Wiens, SaraAnn B.                         IRO Ione & Phyllis Kleppin                     University of Montana

3rd TIME RECIPIENTS                   IHO, IMO, or IRO                               SCHOOL

1.   Billman, Jacob L.                            IMO Richard B. Hovland                        University of Idaho

2.   Emtman, Johnny L. N.                    IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison                       Dickinson State University

3.   Enebo, Denise                                IMO John Maag                                      University of Mary

4.   Hackwith, Caylon L.                       IMO L. J. & Jean Baker                          Bethel University

5.   Hagfeldt, Kelly J.                            IRO Herb & Lucille Friedl Family            Dickinson State University

6.   Saxbury, C. Brianne                       IMO Dr. F. M. & Bernice Knierim          MSU-Bozeman

7.   Stewart, Ashley K.                         IMO Harry Rybock                                 Montana Tech of U of MT

8.   Vegge, Conor R.                            IMO Russel & Arlene Heacox     Montana Tech of U of MT

4th TIME RECIPIENTS                    IHO, IMO, or IRO                               SCHOOL

1.   Combs, Seth R.                              IRO Willard & Charlotte Bruce Fam.       Dickinson State University

2.   Hystad, Luke J.                              IMO LaVonne MCFarland                      MSU-Bozeman

3.   Rogenes, Matthew D.                     IRO Stan Andersen Family                      University of Montana

4.   Stanley, Janet H. Chalmers              IRO Ione & Phyllis Kleppin                     Brigham Young Univer.ID

5.   Swanson, Kimberly A.                    IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud                  University of Montana

6.   Truscott, Todd M.                          IRO Glenn R & Carolee Grina Wallem Rocky Mountain College

5th TIME RECIPIENTS                    IHO, IMO, or IRO                               SCHOOL

1.   Engstrom, Zachary S.                     IRO Willard & Charlotte Bruce Fam.       MSU-Billings

2.   Jimison, Jessica D.                         IRO Beatrice Trites and Family    MSU-Billings