The Ronald Nistler
Educators Memorial Golf Tournament

 Dear Friends, Colleagues and Valued Sponsors:

Educators are the life blood of any community. They are the people who ensure that societies continue to move forward and advance. It is these people who instill the educational foundation for students that provide the opportunity for them to excel in their chosen careers and profession throughout their lives.

Each year our communities suffer a loss when these fine people pass away. Ron Nistler was one of those fine educators who contributed significantly to educating students, mentoring professionals, and serving his community. The work he did through the course of his life should not be lost, nor should we forget the work of so many educators that passed before and after Ron.

To honor our educators, the Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs are hosting the Ronald Nistler Educator’s Memorial Golf Tournament at Eagle Rock Golf Course on Friday, August 8, 2008, 12:00 p.m. Shot Gun start. Early Check in is 10:00am.

The entrance fee is $80.00 per person or $300.00 for a four-person team to play a scramble format. This includes 18 holes of golf, cart, range balls, prizes and a barbeque after the tournament.

If you are interested in participating, sponsoring a team, forming a team, or contributing to the tournament as a business sponsor, please download the registration form or contact Dr. Dan Benge, Director, Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search at 657-2179.

What is Upward Bound?

Upward Bound was established by special amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965.  The program operates year round and provides services through three components.  These services include, but are not limited to, a six week summer residential program in which students live on campus and attend classes, a bridge program for those students who have successfully completed two summer sessions, and a nine month academic tutorial program for students involved in Upward Bound.  Some other basic services are instructional advising, personal career development, cultural enrichment, and individual assistance in applying to colleges.

The first established Upward Bound program was born in 1967 at the University of Nevada-Reno campus.  The main goal of the program was to serve students from diverse backgrounds who truly aspire to complete a college degree.

Today that goal remains unchanged.  Other goals such as teaching students to become risk takers, problem posing problem solvers, self directed achievers are also important to all students of MSU-Billings' Upward Bound.  In addition to those goals, others remain.  These include assisting students to become accountable and responsible as well as respectful.  The UB program also aids students in becoming producers and in accepting diversity.  Students are allowed the freedom to fail.  This means that if something fails the first time, one can either give up or choose to try again until we succeed.  The choice to fail is ours.

During the school year, Upward Bound students enjoy Saturday Colleges and are offered daily tutoring and counseling whenever needed.  The Saturday colleges occur once a month and offer students an opportunity to get involved in other cultural backgrounds such as Art or volunteer community service.

In addition to the activities during the school year, the summer program is designed to further learning about a theme selected by the students.  The theme for Summer 2003 was Space Exploration: Our Next Frontier.

Through all these activities and education, there is never a dull moment at Upward Bound.  We start here as strangers, become friends, and leave as members of the Upward Bound family.

By:  Brittany Fosjord, Upward Bound participant