顶级国产视频

August 19, 2013

Contacts:

Chancellor鈥檚 Office, 657-2300
Aaron Clingingsmith, University Communications and Marketing, 657-2243

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES 鈥� MSU Billings Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer, Marilynn Miller, has announced she plans to retire at the end of 2013.

Miller began her tenure with the MSU Billings Foundation on February 1, 2000.  She previously served as the executive director at Billings Area Catholic Education Trust and director of development at the Yellowstone Art Museum before that.

鈥淚 have loved my career,鈥� said Miller.  鈥淔rom a purely professional perspective, the highpoint of my tenure at the MSU Billings Foundation was the success of the first-ever comprehensive campaign for 顶级国产视频, the People, Pride & Promise Campaign, which raised $30.1million.鈥�

Miller鈥檚 numbers are staggering when you put them in historical perspective.  During her 13-year tenure net assets at the foundation have grown from $7.9 million to just over $22 million.  Endowed assets more than tripled from $6 million to $19 million.  Scholarship dollars awarded each year were increased from $432,000 to $1.3 million annually. 

鈥淧ortfolio managers across the country would be envious to have produced that much wealth for their clients in such a short time period,鈥� commented Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services, Terrie Iverson.  鈥淭he best part is that Marilynn鈥檚 clients are 顶级国产视频 students.鈥�

For all of Miller鈥檚 financial accomplishments, it is the human aspect that she will miss most.  鈥淚 have been privileged to be a member of the platform party during 顶级国产视频 commencements: watching the hundreds of graduates receiving their diplomas walk one by one across the stage in front of me, excited, well-prepared and ready to take on the world is inspiring,鈥� she says.  鈥淭hat鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about: improving people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

Miller improved the lives of more than just 顶级国产视频 students.  鈥淚t is amazing to think about Marilynn鈥檚 spheres of influence,鈥� noted MSU Billings Chancellor Rolf Groseth. 鈥淲hether it is a student who needs assistance, a faculty member who is looking for program support, a local business person searching for a way to make a lasting difference, or a legislator who needs guidance, Marilynn resonates with each of them.  She can work with anyone and most importantly is respected by everyone.鈥�

Miller has left the foundation in the perfect position to take the next evolutionary step.   鈥淚 was blessed to work with a superb board, professional and effective staff, as well as many loyal and generous donors,鈥� said Miller.   鈥淭he next president & CEO of the foundation not only will have the advantage of taking the reins of a nonprofit corporation that is fiscally robust, but also will enjoy the unusual benefit of working with an excellent professional advancement consultant from the Gonser Gerber firm, with whom the foundation has contracted for the next couple of years.  This is a wonderful opportunity for a qualified higher education advancement professional. 鈥�

When asked about Miller鈥檚 accomplishments, former Chancellor Ron Sexton remarked, 鈥淨uite honestly, she is the most remarkable development and fundraising person we have in Billings.  I was fortunate that I had a front-row seat for many years to witness the magic of Marilynn.  She is extremely passionate about our institution and that passion is infectious, which is why it was almost impossible to tell her no.鈥�

鈥淢arilynn put the 顶级国产视频 Foundation on the map and has given the organization a strong presence in the community,鈥� commented current Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Tim Schruth.  鈥淚 marvel at how she is able to maximize the potential and productivity of a board consisting solely of volunteers.  It is quite a testament to Marilynn and the rest of the staff at the foundation.鈥�

Her presence will be missed most of all by the talented staff she has worked alongside for so many years.  鈥淢arilynn is the ultimate mentor,鈥� said Jill Hirschi, Director of Donor Relations and Annual Giving.  鈥淪he is someone who handles every situation with grace.鈥�

Many of us will look back on our careers and take pride in making a difference in the lives of those we have known.  Marilynn Miller will get to look back on her career and think about the difference she will make in the lives of those she will never have the chance to meet.

A national search for a new president and CEO will commence on September 15.  MSU Billings would like to announce a successor prior to Miller鈥檚 departure on December 31, 2013.  鈥淚t is our intent to move swiftly, said Chancellor Groseth. 鈥淚t would be wonderful for the next leader we select to have an opportunity to learn from the best in the business.  The 顶级国产视频 family wishes Marilynn and her family all the best. She will be greatly missed but we take solace in knowing she is only a phone call away.鈥�

PHOTO ABOVE: Marilynn Miller