SKC Annual Report printed in 2020

SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE FOUNDATION
CAPTURING THE VISION

SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE FOUNDATION

2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

It is a pleasure and an honor to pres-
ent to you the 2019 Annual Report
for the Salish Kootenai College (SKC)
Foundation.

The SKC Foundation enjoyed continu-
ing success in 2019. I believe the key to
that success was an emphasis on col-
laboration, not only with the College but
also with our donors, our alumni and our
community. We saw the benefits of that
collaboration in the expansion of our
donor base through local and national re-
lationships, improved effectiveness of our
operations and enhanced financial strength.

The SKC Foundation Board of
Directors worked hard this last year to
revise our mission statement and
determine our core values. As you can see
on the next page, our new mission
statement is to cultivate awareness and
build relationships that inspire generosity to fund and sustain Salish Kootenai
College. Our core values are: Dedication ~ we are dedicated; Integrity ~ we have
integrity; Passion ~ we are passionate; and Focus ~ we are focused!

This next year, we hope to enhance community awareness of the College through
outreach and increased visibility locally and throughout the country. We hope
to build an active and engaged Alumni Association that projects student
successes and promotes outstanding college programs. And we hope to continue
to provide opportunities for financial support that will fund priorities and achieve
financial stability for the College.

I am proud of our achievements over this past year, 2019 was a success in large part
because of you. Thank you for all of your support – past, present and future… I look
forward to our continuing partnership in 2020.

Our Mission

Dedicated to the Future of
Salish Kootenai College

Salish Kootenai College Foundation is dedicated to our mission to
cultivate awareness and build relationships that inspire generosity

to fund and sustain Salish Kootenai College.

We support the College in their efforts to empower students to
improve their families and communities through research,
leadership and service by promoting community and

individual development while also perpetuating the cultures of the
Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille peoples.

Our Core Values

Dedication Integrity

We are dedicated to the We are accountable to our donors
students and faculty of Salish and conduct our activities in an
Kootenai College and committed ethical, honest and transparent
to the generous donors who manner.

support us.

Passion Focus

We are willing to carry the We make developing donor
message of the life-changing relationships a priority and
partner with contributors to
college experience for our achieve a shared vision for the
students who make a difference
in indigenous communities across college’s future.

North America.

Ways to Support SKC

2019 Art Auction & Gala

Every other year, the SKC Foundation hosts an
Art Auction and Gala that includes live and silent
auctions. This major fundraising event was held on
May 4, 2019 at the KwaTaqNuk Resort and Casino
in Polson. Funds raised at this event are directed
towards much needed student scholarships.

The evening began with a reception, followed by
dinner. Awards were presented to two corporate
donors to commemorate their dedication to SKC’s
continued success, Ecotrust and S&K Technologies.

The event was considered an overwhelming
success by all who attended. 204 tickets were sold
and a total of $51,170 was raised. The next Art
Auction & Gala is scheduled for May 1, 2021.

Annual Golf Scramble

The SKC Foundation hosted their 28th Annual Golf
Scramble on Friday, August 16th and
Saturday, August 17th at the Silver Fox Golf
Course on the SKC Campus. Twenty teams
participated in one of the three sessions offered.
There was tremendous support from the local
community with sponsorships, donated prizes
and silent auction items. The proceeds of $16,628
from this event go directly to the SKC Foundation
scholarship fund.

Please save the date for the 29th SKCF Annual Golf
Scramble scheduled for Friday, August 21st and
Saturday, August 22nd, 2020. We hope you will
consider joining us for this fun event to support a
great cause.

WAYS TO SUPPORT SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE

• Online Giving - visit http://vision.skc.edu/donate-now/

• Appreciated Securities: Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds

• Real Estate • Deferred Gifts • Gifts by Check

Campus Infrastructure Capturing the Vision
To further develop our
majestic 137-acre campus Academic Excellence
infrastructure by To enhance our academic
enhancing our excellence by creating a
educational facilities, diverse and dynamic
and expanding as well as learning environment
modernizing the learning with low student-faculty
environment to make it ratios, personally
more conducive to involving students with
creativity, innovation & innovative research and
technological learning opportunities.
breakthroughs.

Increasing Culture & Legacy
Community Capacity To build a legacy and culture
that ensures Salish Kootenai
To increase community College’s future as the top
capacity, SKC continues to Tribal College in the United
serve as a centralized hub States, along with the ability
that facilitates prosperous to continue to provide
economic, as well as quality education for the
community development next seven generations and
e orts, on the Flathead beyond.
Indian Reservation and
across the state of Student Success
Montana. To continually increase student success by providing our students
with access to the highest quality, culturally relevant education
available in the United States, while providing each student with
the opportunity to achieve their individual career goals.

463 Scholarships totaling $870,492 were awarded
during the 2018 - 2019 academic year.

Reflections of Success

Audrey Blood

Audrey Blood, an enrolled member of the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, earned
her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2019 and is on
track to graduate with her Bachelor’s Degree in June
2021. Audrey’s ultimate educational goal is to earn
a masters or doctorate degree in nursing. Prior to
coming to Salish Kootenai College, she attended the
University of Montana where she graduated with two
Bachelor Degrees: one in Sociology and the other in
Anthropology.

While attending school full-time, Audrey has
maintained a 3.97 GPA and earned the “Outstanding
Student Award” during her Level II year. She is
currently working as an RN at Polson Health and
Rehabilitation Center, as well as an Indian Health
Service Clinical Instructor/Mentor and Lab Assistant
for the SKC Nursing Department.

Audrey enjoys living in the Polson area and being actively engaged with the community. She chose
Salish Kootenai College for its ideal enrollment ratio and she is grateful for the many scholarship
opportunities that have been made available.

Morgan Schultz

Morgan Schultz was inspired by his mother to
attend college. He is the second oldest of six children
and of latino descent. Morgan is passionate about the
outdoors and loves the forests in the Mission Mountains
of the Flathead Reservation. In 2019, Morgan earned
his Associate Degree in Hydrology and a Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) Workforce Certificate. He is
currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Hydrology,
which he anticipates receiving in 2020. Following that
he plans to continue his education with a Master’s
Degree in Ecological Restoration or Conservation
Ecology.

Morgan is employed as an intern for the SKC
Indigenous Research Center and as a tutor for TRIO
Student Support Services (SSS). He was the 1st Place
winner for the SKC Herd Leader Scholarship and
has served as the Vice President of SKC’s SEEDS
Ecology Club where he frequently assists with hosting
educational and Earth Day events. He helped redesign
the on-campus recycling program and also assisted with the installation of the 18-link disc golf
course at SKC. Morgan finds the importance of learning hydrology from a Tribal perspective to be
very valuable as he continues his education.

Reflections of Success

Shanelle Skunkcap

Shanelle SkunkCap came to SKC from the Blackfeet Nation
of Browning, Montana. This year, in 2019, she graduated with
her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
In 2014, she also earned her Associate of Arts Degree in
Psychology from SKC. She plans to spend her time after
graduation preparing for a graduate program in school
guidance counseling.

While attending SKC, Shanelle worked as a Special
Education Paraprofessional at the middle school in Ronan,
Montana and for SKC’s Mission Valley in Motion (MVM) Youth
Summer Program as an intern Head Cook.

Shanelle desires to be a teacher on a Reservation to
help Native American Youth prepare for college. Shanelle
chose SKC because she heard of its reputation for providing
students with excellent educational instruction. She loves
the smaller class sizes, which allows time to consult with
instructors to better understand how to serve youth through
education. Her goal is to help as many students as she can with academic success to further their
education beyond high school.

Marshand Vasquez

Marshand Vasquez is an enrolled member of the
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and a
descendent of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the
Yakama Nation. Marshand is a Life Sciences student who
will graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree in June 2021.
Before enrolling at SKC, he earned an Associate degree in
Science from Little Big Horn College. Marshand is striving
to successfully complete his undergraduate studies with
a solid foundation that will enable a strong transition into
graduate and professional school; ultimately achieving
acceptance into medical school.

Marshand is currently working as a Lab Research
Intern at the Salish Kootenai College (SKC) Cellular
and Molecular Biology Lab. He is also a Fellow in the
SKC Native Fellows Program, the SKC American Indian
Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Student
Chapter President, as well as a Life Sciences Department
volunteer at community engagement events, including,
the 2019 Arlee Powwow and Ronan School District
Family Science Night. Marshand is a third-generation
veteran who was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 2014 after 9 years of active
duty service.

Alumni Highlight - Jay Laber

An Alumnus of SKC leaves his artistic
mark on the campus for others to enjoy
forever. Students, faculty and staff
alike pass by them every day, admiring
them; many take photos. Each piece
is made out of recycled materials, old
car parts and wire, and each one tells a
tale of great perseverance.

Jay Laber, from the Blackfeet Indian
Reservation in Browning, Montana, set
out to complete a Forestry Degree at
SKC in the late 1990’s. He also began
taking art courses under the guidance
of mentor and friend, Corwin “Corky”
Clairmont. Jay’s prowess in arts soon
became clear, and his educational
focus shifted. He graduated from SKC
with an Associate Degree in Liberal
Arts in June of 1999. That same year,
Jay’s 11-foot-long sculpture of a bison
won the People’s Choice award at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s (AIHEC) annual
conference in Billings, MT. A museum in Münster, Germany, purchased it, and displayed a total of four
of Jay’s pieces throughout the year. The Blackfeet Tribal Council commissioned him to sculpt pairs of
warriors on horseback at all four entrances to the tribal capital in Browning, Montana. They stand guard
with great dignity to this day, built from the very same antique vehicles that littered the landscape. His
artwork can be seen on school campuses from Missoula to Kalispell.

Jay’s sculptures
at SKC are locat-
ed in front of the
Johnny Arlee/Victor
Charlo Theatre and
the Joe McDonald
Fitness Center. Jay
continued to study
at SKC while
also teaching flute-
making, glass and
stone etching. He
focused on the
students, facilitat-
ing culture through
art instruction. On
October 24th, 2019,
Jay departed this
world from his home
near St. Ignatius,
Montana, but the
legacy he leaves,
like his artwork, will
live on forever.

Faculty of the Year - Matt Seeley

Matt Seeley joined
Salish Kootenai College
(SKC) in 1997 as a Mathe-
matics Instructor. For 22
years, his dedication and
commitment to the stu-
dents and Salish Kootenai
College have been
appreciated by all.

In 2019, this appreciation
was acknowledged when
he was awarded the
“Faculty of the Year”
award in commemora-
tion of his outstanding
service and leadership.

Matt teaches a variety

of math courses includ-

ing College Algebra, Math

for Elementary Teachers,

Finite Math, Pre-calculus,

and Calculus. Differential

equations and dynamical

systems are his principle

areas of interest, but he is

fascinated by all realms

of mathematics. He en-

joys the challenge of

communicating math-

ematical concepts to

students and helping them

through their anxieties and doubts regarding the subject itself. Mathematical skills come alive when stu-

dents see them as tools for understanding real-life phenomena and describing a complex environment.

Students in Matt’s classes spend time exploring the relationship of specific topics to tangible problems,

discovering the power of mathematics along the way.

In 1993, before moving to Montana, Matt earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics from
Cornell University in New York. In 1997, he received his Master of Arts Degree in Mathematics from the
University of Montana. Matt was also one of the nation’s best professional triathletes. He was ranked
#1 in the northwest for three straight years (‘95-’97), won a silver medal in the 25-29 age-groups at the
Triathlon World Championships in 1996, finished as the 13th American in the 2000 Hawaii Ironman and
raced for Team USA at the 2005 Long Course World Championships in Denmark. Matt’s dedication to his
sport continues to this day, year-round and regardless of the weather, he rides his bike every day from
Polson to Salish Kootenai College and then back home at night.

Tours & Tidbits at SKC

The SKC Foundation continued their Summer Series
of Tours and Tidbits at SKC. This event was designed to
welcome the community to an event on the SKC Campus that
provides “Tours” of specific buildings, and an opportunity to
educate attendees with “Tidbits” of information about the
exciting things happening within the departments housed in
those buildings.

Due to the overwhelming response to the summer series,
a fall series was added in 2019. In September, the SKC
Nursing students and faculty highlighted their Program
and also allowed attendees to watch students working in
their simulation labs.

In October, the SKC Business Department was featured
with a “How to Fly a Buffalo” presentation. Also high-
lighted was Trep X Events (SKC’s first student-developed
event planning business) who handled the Marketing and Event coordination
of that night’s event, attracting 135 attendees, setting a record for attendance
to any single event in the series thus far.

We hope that you will join us this summer,
starting in May, on the last Tuesday of each

month, concluding in October.

Alumni Association

The Salish Kootenai College Alumni Association is here to serve, innovate, celebrate, inspire,
inform and support alumni and their families. The SKC Alumni and Friends Association is open to
those who have graduated with a degree or certificate from Salish Kootenai College, as well as
those who have completed at least one class at SKC.

• Reunite with old friends at SKC Alumni events
• Receive timely notice of events happening on campus
• Get employment assistance from SKC Career Services
• Receive discounts at Three Wolves Deli, SKC Bookstore & Fitness Center

Alumni Association members also participate in annual President’s Alumni Dinner
award nominations to help recognize excellence among alumni who are leading and
shaping our communities.

President’s Alumni Dinner

The SKC Foundation hosted its first
Annual President’s Alumni Dinner on
Thursday, November 14, 2020 in the
Sherri McDonald Hospitality Room on
campus. Four alumni were commemorated
and awarded for their achievements on
campus, community, state & national levels.

•  Cleo Kenmille - Making an Impact
at SKC

•  Dana Grant - Making an Impact in
the Community

•  Jason Smith - Making an Impact
in Montana

•  Angelique Albert - Making an Impact
Nationally

For more information about our fundraising
events, please call the Foundation office at
406-275-4983

2019 - 2020 Academic

Turtle Level $1 - $249

Thomas C. Acevedo Joseph A. Durglo David R. Koerner Polson Subway
All in Stitches Michael L. Durglo Laura Larson Rocky Mountain Twist
Lesli L. Anderson Tommy Edwards Les Schwab Tire Centers Ronan Body Shop
Rachel Andrews-Gould Sheldon Ekland-Olson David Lewing Ronan Stageline Pizza
Wes Appelt FedEx Office & Print Center Heather L. Licht Ronan True Value Hardware
Kya-Rae Arthur Rich Forbis Jim Lind Renee P. Roullier-Madrigal
Auto Zone Robert S. Fouty Lowe’s Missoula Shauna Rubel
Alana Bahe Muriel Friedman Darrell G. Lowrey MaryAnn Running Crane
Melissa Bahr Friends of the Historical MacKenzie River Pizza Polson Kyle Salmonson
Shawn Barber Museum at Fort Missoula Joyce Macklin Bradley Salonen
John Beavers Scott Frydenlund Aaron MacPherson Annette Schuette
Spencer Beebe Ryan Gage Jay Maddern Amanda K. Serrano
Dawn M. Benson Dalene Gardipe Clayton E. Matt Sheldon J. Shepherd
Joyce E. Bennington Robbie Gauthier Yolanda Matt Stacey A. Sherwin
Antony R. Berthelote Robert L. Gauthier Rebecca McDonald Corky Sias
Big Sky Breakout Timothy Geiszler Thomas R. McDonald Joyce A. Silverthorne
Roy J. Bigcrane Linnea Ghilardi LeEllen G. McLeod Michael Smith
Josiah R. Black Amy Glaspey Ian McRyhew Megan Stark
Britta Bloedorn Melanie Good-Fox Andrea Mead Jake Starkel
Linda D. Bone Warren Graves MeXpress James H. Steele
Boone and Crockett Club Collen W. Grinsell Mission Valley Auto, Inc. Dennis & Jackie Swain
Brown’s Jewelry Esmeralda Hernandez-Polanco Montana Ace Hardware Ellen R. Swaney
Royelle L. Bundy Walter J. Hillabrant Montana Coffee Traders Annie K. Sorrell
David Bunnell Marie Hirsch Montana Power Products Arnie & Dawnelle Sorrell
Duncan Campbell Holiday Inn Downtown Missoula Mowbray Property Management Gene Sorrell
Savanna Cate Home Floor Covering Chris Muffitt James P. Taylor
Sheila Catterall Home ReSource Nancy K. Nelson Maureen M. Theiler
Compliance Monitoring Addie Hout Ninepipes Lodge Joni Uhe
Systems Ronda L. Howlett Martin Olsson UPS Store Polson
Roberta Conner Tony Incashola Eva Oruste Brooke Wagner
Jamie Courville Michael J. Irvine Pablo Family Foods Chastity R. Wagner
Marvin Courville Ken Jacobsen Zen Parry Gregg D. Webster
Stacy Courville Richard W. Janssen Juan R. Perez Andrew J. West
Cove Deli Jonna Jarvis Chad Peters Western Building Center
Dawn R. DeLay Selina O. Kenmille Dale R. Pierre Western Montana
The Depot Restaurant Molly E. Kennedy Pizza Hut - Polson Family Dentistry
Janice Donovan Tom Kenney Polson Auto Parts / NAPA Whitefish Mountain Resort
DoubleTree by Hilton Kettlehouse Brewing Company Polson Bay Golf Club Bruce Whittenberg
Mark Dupuis Ruth B. Kinsolving Polson Stone & Tile

Angelique D. Albert Fox Level $250 - $499
AlphaGraphics Missoula
Thomas Brockmann First Citizens Bank Mission Valley Power Suzanne Schrock
Community Medical Center First Security Bank Missoula Bone & Joint Skill Builders, LLC
Tim & Karen Delaney Amy Fowler Kinch Navigator Travel Steve Smies
Don Aadsen Ford Hannah Frommelt F. Taylor Pape James Strauss
Dan B. Durglo Gage Accounting, P.C. Polson Health Stuart’s Mountain View Cenex
Jim R. Durglo Glacier Park, Inc. Judy & Anais Preston Sun Mountain Sports, Inc.
Edward Jones Good Food Store Helen Prilliman Valley Glass
ERA Lambros Real Estate Margaret R. Goode Providence Montana Health Eleanor Vizcarra
Jim D. Ereaux Lisa Harmon Foundation Walgreens
Evaro Hill Consulting, LLC Tom Kragh Robin L. Wallace Al Ward
Finley Point Grill Dennis LaBonty Ronan Auto Parts / NAPA Wartosky Group, LLC
Teresa M. McDonald S & S Sports, Inc. Wendy Westbroek
Rick McLeod Schellinger Construction Co. Wild Horse Framing

Year Donor Recognition

Elk Level $500 - $999

Anderson Radio Broadcasting Frank A. Finley Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Rhonda R. Swaney
Ken & Julie Bauer Bruno Friia Donna M. Kotyk Max & Betty Swanson
Chad Cottet Diane A. Grant Marshall Lind Foundation
Briar Diggs Harbor Light Furniture & Flooring Hans Lund Robert Turner
Thomas J. Farrell Valerie J. Johnson Barbara Morrison Tony J. Wagner
Fidelity Title Agency Of Lake Linda S. King Kenneth B. Richardson Keith Wenderoth
County Margaret C. Kingsland The Smoke House, LLC Whitefish Credit Union

Bear Level $1000 - $1499

Eagle Bank Leslie M. Camel - Steward Montana Community Foundation Maylinn E. Smith
Elaine & Vincent Bell Ann Harwood Moody’s Market Inc. Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation
 Foundation Morton Meyerson Family Steve Reiter Shawn Sternick
Sandra & Russell Boham Foundation S & K Gaming, LLC CSKT Kay Unger
Bradley R. Brazill
Eagle Level $1500 - $2999
Bill & Tali Barron
James (Mac) & Pat Binger Gauthier Agency, LLC John’s Fuel Farm   dba Access Montana
Blackfoot Communications Tim & Shelley Geiszler Michael Lozar St. Luke Community Healthcare
Jamie T. Buhr Ralph E. Goode Montana Alpha Delta Kappa Schwab Fund for
Dan Cook Dental Lab Brennin Grainey NorthWestern Energy Charitable Giving
Francine & Joe Dupuis Allison R. Grant Elizabeth C. Preston Roger & Libby Smith
Stephen Hynd Ronan Telephone Company Valley Banks

Bison Level $3000 - above

American Indian College Fund The Forst Foundation Joe & Sherri McDonald S & K Technologies
Carol L. Baldwin Walter & Joan Fouty Northrop Grumman Corporation St. Luke’s Nurses Benefit Fund
Barri Sue Black Glacier Bank Alice L. Oechsli Swan Valley Medical, Inc.
Ila B Dousman Fund Inc John & Naomi Greenhill Jay & Cynthia Preston Richmond H. Thomason
Ecotrust Howard & Judy Jelinek Jaune Quick-To-See Smith Vanguard Charitable
Elite Island Resorts Caribbean Debby O. McClenahan Helen Roberti Charitable Trust Harvey & Joelle Wartosky

Foundation Board Highlight: Ralph Goode

Ralph Goode joined the SKC Foundation Board of
Directors in 2010 and currently serves as Chairman.
He is an active supporter of Salish Kootenai College’s
pursuits and initiatives, and is an especially strong
advocate of encouraging new and former students
to return or transfer to finish their degrees at SKC.

In 1976, Ralph graduated from the Flathead
Valley Community College (FVCC) in Kalispell, MT with
an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Forest
Technology. His experience at FVCC broadened his
perception of how amenable and valuable a community
college education can be. In 1983, he graduated from
the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID with a Bachelor
of Science degree in Forest Management.

Ralph has 25-plus years of Forestry related jobs,
seasonally and full time, that concluded in being
promoted to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Tribes Forestry Department Head. In September 1999,
he was hired as the General Manager of Mission Valley
Power for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes,
and retired in September 2014 after 15 years.

During his professional career, Ralph has had an opportunity to work with individuals of many
different levels of education. Colleagues with degrees, certifications and workforce development
coursework each brought value to his teams throughout the years. In this spirit, Ralph today
champions the coursework available at Salish Kootenai College and makes it his mission to share
SKC Foundation’s values with the community at large. In addition, he has been instrumental in
the recent development of the SKC Silver Fox Golf Course Youth Golf Camp.

SKC Foundation Board Members

Ralph Goode Francine DuPuis Deb McClenahan
Joseph McDonald Ernest “Bud” Moran Rhonda Swaney
Jay Wilson Preston
Buno Friia Rob Turner
Alice Oeschsli Linda King Ellen Swaney
Rhonda Whiting Leonard Gray

Dr. Sandra Boham - Ex-Officio
SKC President
Audrey Plouffe - SKC VP Business
Affairs / Foundation Treasurer

SKC Foundation Staff

Karen Delaney Ellie Bundy McLeod
Executive Director Development Director

Lesli Anderson Amanda Serrano
Marketing & Graphic Designer Scholarship Coordinator

Giving online is fast, convenient and eco-friendly.
To donate today, visit our website at vision.skc.edu

If you would like to make a donation by mail, please make checks payable to:
SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE FOUNDATION
PO BOX 70, PABLO, MT 59855

MISSION STATEMENT

To cultivate awareness and build relationships that inspire generosity
to fund and sustain Salish Kootenai College

PO BOX 70 | PABLO, MONTANA 59855 | 406-275-4983 | FOUNDATION.SKC.EDU