Montana Western to Hold 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony
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The University of Montana Western will celebrate its 128th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Bulldog Stadium on the UMW campus.
“We look forward to celebrating this important milestone for our students, and we are proud of all of their accomplishments,” said Montana Western Chancellor Michael Reid.
A total of 372 Montana Western graduates will be awarded over 404 degrees by the end of the 2024–25 academic year. Of those graduates, 27 have completed two or more degrees, and 64% are receiving honors by achieving a GPA of 3.33 or higher. Two hundred graduates have chosen to participate in this year’s ceremony. The ceremony’s Chief Marshal will be UMW Professor of Ecology, Dr. Wendy Ridenour.
This year’s commencement program will feature 2013 Montana Western graduate Nathan J. Boll. Boll is a Space Policy Analyst in the Science Mission Directorate at the headquarters of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington, D.C., where he specializes in intergovernmental affairs. He currently supports the Joint Agency Satellite Division as the lead interagency agreement manager and serves as the Executive Secretary of the NASA Advisory Council’s Science Committee.
“We are honored to welcome Nathan J. Boll back to Montana Western for our 128th Annual Commencement ceremony. His work in space policy and intergovernmental affairs at NASA demonstrates the impact of a Montana Western education and the incredible paths our graduates can pursue,” said Montana Western Chancellor, Michael Reid. “We look forward to his address as he shares his experiences and helps inspire our graduates to reach for new heights in their own careers.”
Bryan Mussard, a proud Dillon native and 1991 Montana Western graduate, has long been a dedicated supporter of both his alma mater and community. He and his wife, Marcia, live in Dillon where they manage Big West Management and Reminisce Angus Ranch with their family.
For nearly four decades, Mussard has built a reputation for excellence, integrity, and innovation in ranching and business. A successful entrepreneur, he founded Gorgeous Vodka, an award-winning, 93-point-rated brand that has earned five gold medals. He also founded Cattle Baron Cigars, a nationally distributed line rated between 91–93 points, and Reminisce Angus Beef, which supplies premium beef to high-end resorts along the Rocky Mountain Front, as well as grocery stores across Montana and the United States.
Beyond his business achievements, Mussard has consistently supported Montana Western and the broader Dillon community.
Events Leading Up to Commencement
Social Honoring Bryan Mussard and the UMW Classes of 1975 & 2000
The Montana Western Alumni Office will host a social at the Dillon Elks Lodge on Friday, May 9, at 5:00 p.m. to honor Bryan Mussard and the Montana Western classes of 1975 and 2000. The cost to attend is $10. To RSVP, please call 406-683-7303 or visit tinyurl.com/Alumni-Social.
Legacy Plaza Ceremony
An additional ceremony honoring the 2025 Graduating Class will be held on Friday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m. on the campus’s Legacy Plaza. This celebration is part of a special tradition at Montana Western held at the end of each academic year on the eve of the Commencement Ceremony that celebrates and honors the graduates for the completion of their degrees and the legacy that they will leave at UMW.
Bulldog Breakfast
The annual Bulldog Breakfast will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 7:00–9:30 a.m. in UMW’s Dining Hall for all Commencement guests. Reservations are requested by Thursday, May 8, 2025, at umwestern.edu/commencement-breakfast-reservation, but are not required to attend.
Breakfast will include waffles, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, biscuits and gravy, sweet rolls, muffins, coffee cake, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, granola, chilled juice, coffee, and assorted teas. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 2–10. Payment will be accepted by Dining Services via Bulldog Bucks or credit/debit card.
Commencement Day Logistics
Graduate Check-In
Graduates and degree candidates must arrive at the South Entrance of Bulldog Stadium by 9:00 a.m. dressed in full regalia. The Processional will begin at 9:50 a.m.
Seating
Commencement will be held in Bulldog Stadium and is open to all, no tickets are required. Gates open at 9:00 a.m., and seating is available on the field, in the bleachers, and on the berms on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that seating and parking cannot be reserved. Guests should enter through the main ticket booth entrance.
Beier Auditorium Livestream Viewing
A live stream of the ceremony will also be available in Beier Auditorium. Doors open at 9:00 a.m., and seating is first come, first served. Guests will be asked to exit the auditorium once the ceremony ends.
Online Livestream
For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the Commencement Ceremony will be available starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at umwestern.edu/commencement-live-stream.
For more information, please contact the Montana Western Registrar’s Office by calling 406-683-7371 or visit https://tinyurl.com/UMWComm25.
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