Dear friends,

I am delighted to be writing to you as Montana State University's 13th president, and my family is thrilled to join the MSU and Gallatin Valley communities. My wife, Kristin, our daughters, Frances and Leona, and I are enjoying a fun, busy fall and all the natural beauty Montana has to offer. Our family has deep roots in Montana, and we are overjoyed with the opportunity to return and set down new roots in the Gallatin Valley. It may go without saying, but I'll say it anyway: It is a privilege to join the team at MSU and lead Montana's premier university.

Many of you already know MSU as the state's largest university and that we serve more Montana students than any other campus. You may also know we are the state's largest research entity and that we reach every corner of Montana through our various programs, projects and MSU Extension. 

MSU is also a land-grant institution, and that means we have a mission, one that we often talk about as having three parts: Providing high-quality, accessible education to students no matter where they come from or what path they take to college; conducting research and creative scholarship that makes a positive impact on our state and country; and helping Montana communities thrive. The intent is to help create engaged and highly trained college graduates who will leave MSU to build a stronger state and nation.

You'll read about some of our efforts in these areas in this magazine. "Fielding connections" details how MSU's long-running annual field days bring together farmers, ranchers, researchers and others. "At the pace of trust" profiles an MSU alumna who, more than a decade ago, founded an organization that has helped thousands of girls gain access to life-changing education. "America's newest marathon star" tells the story of one of our own who is making a big name for himself in the running world. And "Taking care of business" introduces us to three Montana entrepreneurs who found their purpose with the help of education from Gallatin College MSU.

A single magazine issue can't capture all the great stories happening at Montana State, but I hope this selection of articles reminds you, as it reminds me, of how a university can transform individuals, how it can improve lives and how it can support vibrant communities.

Thank you for your support of Montana State University. It's a privilege to serve this community, and I look forward to getting to know you in the years to come.

In Blue and Gold,

Signature of President Brock Tessman.

Brock F. Tessman
President, Montana State University