Marking the end of an era, Tom Reynolds retires after 43 years at Northern. The last 23 years he served as Executive Director of the MSU-Northern Foundation, one of the most successful non profit university fundraising entities in Montana. In a recent interview, Reynolds recalled the beginnings of the Foundation efforts under the purpose to accumulate funds to be used to develop, foster, and encourage excellence for Montana State University-Northern.

When President James Erickson asked, he took on the job while he was still the NMC Athletic Director. The first board was named with Dr. Clark A. Grimm serving as the first President of the Foundation. The very first annual fund was chaired by Havre businessman, Phil Curry and it was conducted to raise money for scholarships Until this time the Booster Club had been raising about $7,000 annually for projects on campus and with the organization of the Foundation the fund drive increased to $22,000 that first year. Tom was sent to the University of Oregon to observe their phonathon program and brought back information to begin the first phonathon. Under the leadership of Ken Larson from the NMC Public Relations office, the NMC Alumni Association began the search for Montana alums. Thus began the alumni phonathon with students and faculty members calling on Montana alums. Faculty members, Joe Webber and Richard Vanderpool were two of the most involved faculty members who volunteered to make calls. In year three, the new alumni association Director, Roger Pugh, initiated the search for out of state alums and added a new fund raiser called the NMC Alumni Association Wine and Cheese Auction.

Reynolds recalled that Dr. Clark Grimm donated a computer to the NMC Business Department so they could begin computerization, with the caveat that they help set up a home grown database for the Foundation and alumni association.

Bernard Storvik established the first major gift to the Foundation in honor of his wife, Dagne, after which, the Foundation Board sent Tom for major gift giving training with Kennedy Sinclair. The first Foundation fund drive was to raise some of the funds for renovation of the Davey Pioneer Lab and the first capital campaign was in response to a proposal from President Erickson to raise funds for a Farm Mechanics

Building in which 100% of the funds for the building came from private donations. At the same time, the Business and Industrial Linkages program was begun and is it now the largest fundraising program at Northern. It brings in donations of vehicles, equipment, supplies and technology for the technical programs on campus.

The number one goal of the Foundation is to help raise funds for the scholarship program each year. The Foundation has had many special projects such as the Buttrey Burlington Northern fields and sprinkler system, followed by the Cowan Park upgrades, renovation of the Armory Gym, the University feasibility and master plan project. The last major project for Reynolds and the Foundation was raising funds for the Applied Technology Center. In all, total expenditures for equipment, scholarships, construction of buildings and other projects on campus is about $89 million from all sources during his 23 years at the helm.

Reynolds says that the most rewarding part of his job has been facilitating the involvement of others and watching them make the decision to get involved in making an impact in the lives of students and in their future. When asked what he will miss the most about the job he replied, "the people." He plans to stay active with family first, and enjoys reading. He will stay involved in various organizations and participate in the community of Havre and Northern. He sees that "the future is bright and exciting for Northern with the tremendous opportunities and potential the institution has to provide opportunities for our students. We will see more diversity in our student body as we provide an educational experience to a population that will come from all regions of the country. The hiring of Bill Gupton will ensure the Foundation participation at this next level."

Chancellor Alex Capdeville presents Tom Reynolds
with the Chancellor's Leadership award at the Founders' Excellence Dinner