Montanans find community during Montana State’s campus preview

BOZEMAN - About 257 high school seniors representing 60 Montana towns visited Montana State University last week for STATE Days, a free two-day campus preview for in-state students, who comprise 49% of MSU's student body.

Starting July 31, prospective Bobcats and their families joined campus tours, dined with MSU faculty and staff members, stayed overnight in Hyalite Hall and attended information sessions related to their interests, ranging from first-generation student resources to workshops helping students apply to MSU.

"I hope that after attending STATE Days, students leave not only excited about MSU but also confident that pursuing a college degree is within reach - and that they'll be supported every step of the way," said Shannon Bangen, associate director of new student programs from Missoula.

Many students began their first morning at MSU by exploring campus. They gazed at Jabs Hall's stock exchange board and toured the Student Wellness Center, where Bobcats can work out, tune their skis or use the pharmacy. Walking backward and peppering attendees with fun facts, MSU senior Kayla Young guided them past the Spirit bobcat statue - "Students rub its ears for good luck during finals week" - and an on-campus chapel where alumni often get married - "Did you know Champ is an ordained minister?" she joked.

A Belgrade native, Young said she loves giving back to Montanans and shared with attendees how she has taken advantage of state-based scholarships and multiple degree programs. She is currently studying human development and family science at MSU and earning a business management certificate from Gallatin College MSU with the goal of starting her own daycare.

"We have programs to keep you afloat," she said. "MSU wants you here, and we'll support you any way we can."

Learning about the application process for MSU's Hilleman and presidential scholarships drew high school senior Ronak Kommineni to STATE Days. The Hilleman scholarship supports Montanans who exemplify leadership and academic potential, while presidential scholarships are open to students who demonstrate a commitment to academic achievement and public service.

Kommineni is from Bozeman, and he often visits campus to study early signs of osteoarthritis alongside associate professor Ron June in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Building. He said he enjoys taking part in the hands-on experimental research process, which is something he seeks in his undergraduate experience.

"[At MSU,] we extract cartilage from samples, and we use the DNA to see if there's specific metabolite markers that can be seen in unhealthy versus healthy knees," he said.

Bangen emphasized MSU's research capabilities in her welcome speech to STATE Days attendees, highlighting dozens of the university's Fulbright and Goldwater scholarship recipients within the past 10 years. MSU is ranked alongside the top schools in the nation for its number of Goldwater scholars.

"We are among institutions such as Harvard, Princeton and - we're ahead of a school, let's see if I can pronounce this correctly - Yale," she said to the resounding laughter of attendees. "We can offer you a stellar education, and it's right in your backyard."

MSU lies in the backyard of most STATE Days participants, which Bangen discovered during her speech when she received the loudest cheers from families who drove less than 30 minutes to campus. However, dozens of students and their families traveled at least five hours for the event, a handful of whom came from rural towns with a graduating class of fewer than 50 students.

Logan Bloom drove to MSU from Missoula and said he was drawn to Bozeman's ski hills, as well as its proximity to family members.

"I thought it'd be good to come see the campus [this week]," he said. "I'm interested in looking into aerospace engineering, but also the medical field, so I'm trying to pick between the two."

Makayla Oberly has visited campus many times as a Bozeman resident but said she was excited to learn more about MSU's pre-veterinary track through a free experience that didn't "break the bank." Attendees discussed their interests with more than 60 faculty and staff from various academic units at a "Montanan's dinner" Thursday night.

Oberly said she is also considering MSU for its in-state tuition and scholarship availability for Montana students.

"It shows MSU cares for their Montana residents," she said. "It makes us feel like a priority."