The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) is proud to announce the 2024-25 George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship recipients, including Montana Western student Emmett Jeschke. This scholarship recognizes outstanding college students across Montana who demonstrate exemplary civic leadership and a commitment to fostering positive change in their communities.
2024-25 Scholarship Recipients:
Emmett Jeschke – University of Montana Western, volunteer with the food pantry and Red Cross blood drives.
Piper Hadley – Flathead Valley Community College, Grief Camp volunteer, first generation student mentor.
Ashlin Ivester – Montana State University, Founder and volunteer with Holiday Helper, providing home cooked meals for the holidays.
Sara McCabe – MSU Billings, volunteer with the National Honor Society and served with NavajoYES, the United Way’s Refresh the Rims project.
Amanda Hagerty – MSU Northern, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce Board member and school-community engagement volunteer.
Raeann Emerson – Salish Kootenai College, environmental and social justice volunteer and advocate for improving conditions for incarcerated people.
Stacy Tiensvold-Matoon – Salish Kootenai College, volunteer with Women 4 Wellness, food pantry, and SKC basketball teams.
Cierra Coon – Salish Kootenai College, volunteer leader with a recovery group, peer lead at the Women’s Sober Living House, and Voices for Awareness bringing awareness to the dangers of Fentanyl.
Lauren Schulte – University of Montana, co-coordinator of UM Advocates and a new student mentor.
Jaxon Caufield – University of Montana, Honors Student Association President and Alpha Lambda Delta’s volunteer coordinator.
These inspiring students have provided hundreds of volunteer hours to causes close to them, and in doing so have significantly and positively impacted their campuses and communities. By leading projects that address issues from food insecurity to homelessness and substance abuse, they have mobilized their peers and brought attention to important issues.
Their dedication reflects the values of George M. Dennison, the late president of the University of Montana, and one of the founding presidents of the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (then Montana Campus Compact) over thirty years ago. Dennison championed the importance of higher education as a force for civic and community engagement.
“Reading these scholarship applications is simultaneously one of the most inspiring and difficult things we do all year” said Josh Vanek with the Campus Network for Civic Engagement. “It gives me enormous hope that we have truly amazing problem solvers in every community in our state.”
Jeschke’s Leadership Extends Beyond Volunteerism
In addition to his service in Dillon and the Montana Western community, Emmett Jeschke was recently selected to serve as the Montana Associated Students (MAS) Student Lobbyist during the upcoming legislative session. In this role, Jeschke will track legislation relevant to higher education, working closely with state representatives in both the House and Senate, coordinating with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), and connecting with student governments across Montana.
The University of Montana Western is proud to recognize Jeschke for his volunteerism and commitment to improving higher education for Montana students.
About the George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship
The George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship was established to honor President Dennison’s legacy and commitment to student leadership. Each recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship, awarded annually to students across Montana who exhibit outstanding civic and community contributions while maintaining their studies. The scholarship is supported by contributions from the Dennison family, Reach Higher Montana, and private donors.
MCNCE invites the public to congratulate these remarkable individuals as they continue to inspire and lead efforts to create stronger, more inclusive communities. Their achievements demonstrate the transformative power of civic engagement.
Support Future Civic Leaders
The George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship relies on donor generosity to continue fostering civic leadership among Montana’s students. Contributions help ensure that future leaders have the resources to pursue meaningful change in their communities. To donate, please contact Josh Vanek at vanek@mtengage.org.
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