May 2, 2016

 

The university taps 1999 alumnus Russell Nemetz as commencement speaker; 958 students to receive undergraduate, graduate diplomas at May 7 ceremony

 

Contacts:
Carmen Price, University Communications and Marketing, 657-2266

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Montana State University Billings will present 958 students with degrees during the university’s 89th commencement, set for Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m., at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

 

MSUB alumnus Russell Nemetz will provide the commencement address. A 1999 communications graduate, Nemetz has used his degree to tell the state and region’s agriculture news with the Northern Ag Network Farm Broadcast team as well as on KTVQ.

His radio broadcasts are heard across Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota and his television broadcasts are seen statewide on CBS affiliates in Montana and NBC affiliates in Wyoming. He also makes regular appearances on national television broadcasts like Cattlemen to Cattlemen and This Week in Agribusiness on RFD-TV.

 

"Russell greatly contributed to our institution as a student, and continues his important work with us as an alum," Alumni Relations Director Sarah Brockel said. “His dedication to our campus and community and our state are an example of how MSU Billings alumni are giving back to their communities every day. I know he will have an amazing message to deliver to our students as they graduate and go off to do great things.”

 

In 2015, Nemetz was named an Outstanding Alumni, with special mention of his volunteer work for 4-H and Future Farmers of America. He has won numerous awards for his broadcast career and can be heard every weekday on nearly 70 stations in four states.

Raised along the Milk River near Chinook, Montana, production agriculture was engrained in him. In fact, his family continues to run a cow/calf operation there.

 

But, agriculture has taken all over the world, with opportunities to report on trade missions from Canada, Columbia, Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Russian and Taiwan.

 

The ceremony will be streamed live.

 

For more information about the five MSU Billings convocations, or the commencement ceremony on May 7, call the University Relations Office at 657-2266 or see the university’s commencement web page.

 

Convocations and Award Ceremonies

The 2015-2016 academic year culminates with convocations and academic awards ceremonies on May 6 & 7.

 

The five academic colleges at MSU Billings will host individual convocations on Thursday and Friday, recognizing students for academic achievement and service within their major fields of study.

 

In addition to college convocations, the City College’s nursing program will hold a convocation.

 

Undergraduates graduating with honors during the MSU Billings Commencement ceremony on Saturday will receive honor cords during their college’s convocation ceremony. Top graduate students will also be recognized.

 

All events are free and open to the public. 

 

       Convocation for the City College at MSU Billings will be on Thursday, May 5, at 6 p.m. in the Health Sciences Building with a reception to follow. City College will confer 240 degrees during the commencement ceremony on Saturday.

 

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Allied Health Professions will be held on Friday, May 6, at 8:30 a.m., in Cisel Recital Hall, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Diane Duin. A reception will follow. The College of Allied Health Professions will confer 146 degrees during the commencement ceremony on Saturday, including 39 master’s degrees. An Outstanding Senior Award will be presented to Mary Justine Owen of Billings, MT. Owen will also be presented with the Golden Merit Award for outstanding scholarship, leadership and community involvement.

 

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Business will be held on Friday, May 6, at 11 a.m. in Cisel Recital Hall, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Barbara Wheeling. A reception will follow. The College of Business will confer 151 degrees during the commencement ceremony on Saturday. An Outstanding Senior Award will be presented to Brittani Anderson of Billings, MT.

 

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Arts and Sciences will be held on Friday, May 6, at 1 p.m., in Petro Theatre, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Christine Shearer and a reception to follow. The College of Arts and Sciences will confer 287 degrees during the commencement ceremony on Saturday, including 27 master’s degrees. The Outstanding Graduate Award will be presented to Patrick Klugman, from Dumont, Minn. He will be receiving his Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

 

Convocation for the MSU Billings College of Education will be held on Friday, May 6, at 4 p.m., in Petro Theatre, with a welcome by Dean Dr. Mary Susan Fishbaugh. A reception will follow. The College of Education will confer 134 degrees during the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, including 60 master’s degrees.

 

The Nursing Pinning Ceremony for City College Nursing Program will be held on Friday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m., in Petro Theatre.