MSU Billings announces Chancellor’s Excellence Award recipients
Thirteen students granted prestigious scholarship
Contacts:
University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266
MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES —Montana State University Billings announces Abbigale Hamilton and Shannon Reny as
the incoming freshman recipients of the 2018-2019 Chancellor’s Excellence Award scholarships.
They join a prestigious group of 11 current MSU Billings students who renewed their
Chancellor’s Excellence Award scholarships.
Hamilton hopes to become involved on the campus during her time here through joining
organizations on campus such as the Honors Program. “… [M]y personal goals I hope
to achieve at MSU Billings include becoming a productive member of the community,
becoming job and post-education life ready, and being able to receive a next-level
education without having to involve my parents financially in the endeavor to the
best of my ability,” Hamilton says. “At MSU Billings one of my most important goals
is to be able to learn how to function independently and become my own person who
can take care of herself. I believe that Montana State University Billings is an institution
that is well equipped to help me achieve all of my goals and aspirations.”
“Montana State University Billings will be another environment for me to build valuable
and rewarding connections with a multitude of people from all walks of life,” Reny
says. “These experiences will help me build my personal resume and allow me to be
a tool and light to a variety of people. Whether it be with my teammates, coaches,
professors, or peers, this next chapter of my life at Montana State University Billings
will be filled with experiences that will broaden my horizons and allow me to grow
as an individual.”
Hamilton and Reny join a group of 11 other outstanding students who were selected
previously.
Recipients for the 2017-2018 Chancellor’s Excellence Award were Casey Skinner, Zachary
Sutton and Marcene Skillen-Robison.
Casey Skinner of Shepherd, Mont., is a biology major at MSU Billings. Skinner is involved
in the Honors Club and STEM Club and would like to be active in the Drama Club this
year, as well. This past year, Skinner participated in Service Saturdays and helped
put on the Chemistry Magic Show and Atomic Circus. Skinner was also able to attend
the Montana Academy of Sciences conference in Butte this year. “At the end of my first
year on the Montana State University Billings campus, I have involved myself in several
volunteering opportunities through the Service Saturday program,” Skinner notes. “Being
active in our community and science outside the classroom has expanded my skillset
and allowed me to grow as an individual.”
Zachary Sutton came to MSU Billings from Columbus, Mont., to pursue a degree in health
and human performance with the 3+2 option. Sutton was involved in the Residence Hall
Association (RHA) and plans to be active in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship during
the upcoming academic year. Sutton was able to complete an internship with the Athletic
Training Clinic on campus last fall and also volunteers around the Billings community.
“Throughout my first year attending MSUB, I have tried to be active in my community
on campus and in the Billings community. I am from Columbus, Montana, and the opportunities
pale in comparison to what I have been able to do in Billings,” Sutton said. “Even
though I will not be living on campus in the fall, I do plan on being involved on
campus through the Service Saturday program and other service opportunities.”
Marcene Skillen-Robison arrived at MSU Billings from Hysham, Mont., last fall. During
her first year on campus, Skillen-Robison was involved in the Student Activities Board
(SAB), Honors Club, and Yellowjacket cheerleading. Skillen-Robison is majoring in
psychology on campus and plans to minor in sociology. Eventually, she would like to
become a school counselor, a decision that was shaped by her time volunteering at
Camp POSTCARD previously. “After completing my first year at MSU Billings, I feel
ready for the challenges ahead, and I am excited about my future,” Skillen-Robison
says. “My first year at MSU Billings has been an extraordinary experience, and being
a ‘Jacket’ opened up the world for me… MSU Billings offers limitless opportunities
to its students, and I feel blessed to be a part of the campus.”
2016-2017 recipients of the award were Sari Robertus, Sam Muskat, Carly Schaff and
Brenna Beckett.
Sari Robertus of Joliet, Mont., is a junior pursuing degrees in mass communications
and psychology. Robertus is active in RHA, Student United Way, the LEAD program and
will be a senator for ASMSUB this upcoming year. Robertus is currently planning on
attending a master’s program following her 2020 graduation and explains that while
she initially wanted to be a counselor, she has also thought about other careers,
such as being a physician’s assistant. Robertus has enjoyed volunteering in Billings
during her time at MSU Billings. “Volunteering in the Billings community” she explained,
“not only lines up with the motivation behind my academic pursuits, but also serves
as a blessing and a wholesome reminder to live with a grateful heart… My goal during
my few short years in college is to make that positive difference, continue to achieve
academic success and not forgetting the obvious ones—developing life-long relationships
and having memorable experiences.”
Sam Muskat came to Billings from Beaverton, Ore., to receive an education in political
science and Spanish and to compete in baseball. Muskat volunteered weekly at Beartooth
Elementary School last year, where he worked with students in the second grade. He
plans to continue this role in the upcoming year, as well. Muskat also volunteered
with his baseball team at High Gate Senior Living Residence. He was given the opportunity
to be the play-by-play commentator for the women’s basketball team alongside Aaron
Like and looks forward to continuing this role during the next season. “My experiences
as a contributing member of the MSUB baseball team have given me chances to grow in
leadership, and I have appreciated the comradery and friendships I have gained here
as well,” Muskat said. “I look forward to another strong year at MSUB, pursuing my
academic, athletic and community service goals.”
Carly Schaff of Lavina, Mont., is double majoring in elementary education and reading
during her time as MSU Billings. Schaff is involved in Jacket Student Ambassadors
(JSA) on campus where she serves as the group’s historian. She has volunteered around
Billings and has completed in-classroom practicums throughout the community. Outside
of school, Schaff participates in rodeo and works on the family farm. She is thankful
for being awarded the Chancellor’s Excellence Award. “Attending Montana State University
Billings has provided me with countless opportunities that have contributed to my
personal and academic growth. These opportunities include campus clubs, practicum
experiences, and class experiences” Schaff says.
Brenna Beckett of Broadview, Mont., is a member of the track and field team at MSU
Billings and is majoring in biology with a teaching option. Beckett is active in ASMSUB,
JSA and the LEAD program and plans to also be a part of the STEM club this year. Beckett
also works in the Student Union Building on campus. Through her involvement on campus,
Beckett participated in nearly all Service Saturdays and also volunteered at the Jingle
and Mingle and the annual Easter Egg Hunt. “All in all, I've become a more well-rounded
person in the past year, and am beginning to understand more about how I can not only
make a difference, but also maintain my well-being while doing so,” Beckett says of
her sophomore year on campus. “None of my community service, academic challenges and
successes, and leadership opportunities would be possible without the funding from
this scholarship. MSUB is equipping me with all the tools needed to become the person
I want to be, thanks to this generous funding and the resources within the university
and community.”
McKenna Myers and Shiloh Skillen-Robison are recipients of the 2015-2016 Chancellor’s
Excellence Awards.
McKenna Myers is from Billings, Mont., and is majoring in mathematics with a teaching
option. Myers is involved in JSA, the LEAD program and serves as a resident assistant
(RA) in Housing and Residence Life on campus. During the summer, Myers is a summer
team leader for Upward Bound where she helps mentor high school students toward college.
“As college is coming to a close for me, I am very grateful for the opportunities
MSU Billings has brought me,” Myers says. “I am glad to end my college career as a
Jacket Student Ambassador to help future students find their own niche at this school
and a member of the LEAD program so I can gain further knowledge about leadership
in the community, especially in my profession…Because of all of this, I owe MSU Billings
and appreciate the experiences I have earned here that have helped shape my life.
Thanks for helping me accomplish all of this through this scholarship.”
Shiloh Skillen-Robison came to MSU Billings from Hysham, Mont., to pursue a degree
in English with the teaching option and a minor in history teaching. Skillen-Robison
was the chair of SAB on campus and served on the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Advisory Board. She is also active in the honors program, serves on the Honors Student
Advisory Board and hopes to join Sigma Tau Delta this fall. Skillen-Robison volunteered
at Service Saturdays and at her alma mater during breaks in the academic year. She
also works as a photographer for athletics. “This will be my final year on the MSU
Billings campus. While I am sad to see my time here come to an end, I will always
be thankful for the opportunities that I have been given,” Skillen-Robison said. “Coming
to MSUB was one of the best decisions that I have made, and I am forever grateful
for being a Chancellor’s Scholar the last few years.”
Freshman recipients of the award must be incoming freshmen who hold a cumulative GPA
of 3.5 or greater; a composite score of 26 or greater on the ACT or 1240-1270 or greater
on the SAT; enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester; sign a declaration
of intent to complete a four-year undergraduate degree at MSU Billings; and provide
evidence of leadership and a record of school and community service.
Hamilton and Reny were awarded $4,000 per year for four years and will have part of
their housing and dining costs waived. They will also receive admission into the University
Honors Program. Earlier recipients of the award were funded at different levels.
Hamilton and Reny, along with previous recipients, will have the opportunity to renew
their scholarships by earning and maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at
MSU Billings; complete a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester and enroll in a Bachelors
degree program and show progress toward their degrees.
MSU Billings has been awarding the Chancellor’s Excellence Award scholarships since
1998.
For more information on the Chancellor’s Excellence Awards, contact Jennifer Ries
at jennifer.ries@msubillings.edu or 406-657-2339.
