Dean of Students
Student Excellence Awards 2024
2023 Excellence Winners (L to R) Logan Taylor, Ryley Kehr, Emily Feller, Shyann Krass, Kaden Frickel, Olivia “Liv” Isakson, Olivia Fletes, and Macee Murphy
Emily Feller.
Emily Feller plans to graduate in the fall of 2024, with a bachelor’s degree in Civil
Engineering Technology and an associate’s degree in Draft Design Technology. In the
classroom, she carries a 3.57 cumulative GPA. Emily has worked hard to balance a full-time
class schedule along with the rigors of playing a collegiate sport.
On campus, she has been a member of the Skylights volleyball program the past 4 years and plans to play her final season next fall. As a Skylight, Emily received All Freshman Team in 2020, 2nd Team All-Conference in 2021, Academic All-Conference in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and was a Daktronics scholar athlete in 2021, 2022, and 2023. She has been an active member of the Association of Student Athletes, helping many events that serve the campus and local community. In her hometown of Helena, she does field work and umpires at the local baseball fields. Following graduation, Emily plans to return to her hometown of Helena, Montana and begin a professional career with an engineering firm.
Olivia Fletes.
Olivia will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in applied
agriculture, as well as a 3.93 cumulative GPA. She earned her associate’s degree from
Dawson Community College in 2022 before transferring to MSU-Northern. On campus, Olivia
was involved with Chi Alpha campus ministries leadership & worship teams, served on
ASMSUN Student Senate as an At-Large Senator and Administrative Assistant. She was
a peer tutor with Student Support Services, was the secretary for Post-secondary Agriculture
Students club, and a member of the MSU-Northern Community orchestra.
Olivia was accepted to the competitive Washington-Idaho-Montana-Utah (WIMU) Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine and will begin her studies in the fall at MSU-Bozeman, then continue at the Washington State University campus in Pullman the following 3 years. After completing her degree, Olivia plans on returning to Montana to practice rural veterinary medicine.
Kaden Frickel.
Kaden Frickel will earn an associate’s degree this spring with a cumulative GPA of
3.96. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and minor in Finance.
On campus, Kaden is a peer tutor in Student Support Services and is known as “the math guy”. He has one of the highest tutor usage rates and has helped his peers find confidence they previously lacked in mathematics. Kaden has successfully managed working two jobs while maintaining high academic goals, and has many plans for the future. Academically, he intends on continuing on to a graduate program in Mathematics after he earns his bachelor’s degree.
Olivia Isakson.
Olivia Isakson earned an associate’s degree magna cum laude with departmental distinction
last spring and plans to graduate next spring with a bachelor’s degree in liberal
studies and a minor in psychology. She holds a 3.98 cumulative GPA.
On campus, Olivia was a member of the Skylights volleyball program her first year at MSU-Northern. She has served as a peer tutor in Student Support Services in writing and literature, as an ASMSUN Senator, volunteering with many internal committees and events, was elected to Northern Homecoming Royalty last fall, is the editor for the MSUN online student newspaper, and has dedicated many hours to serving the community and campus, such as volunteering for campus clean-up and a speaking at the Annual Hi-Line Poetry Event.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, Olivia plans to attend graduate school at the University of Montana and become a licensed speech pathologist in rural Montana schools.
Ryley Kehr.
Ryley Kehr is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in
small business management and will graduate this spring with a cumulative GPA of 3.68
On campus, Ryley is a member of the MSUN Skylights basketball program, where she has earned 2nd Team All-Conference, academic all American, and was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete. She has been a volunteer for the special Olympics.
She noted that her future plans are to “teach the next generation”.
Shyann Krass.
Shyann Krass is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Operation Technology with
a minor in Small Business Management and a cumulative GPA of 3.84. She is a member
of the Skylights Basketball program, where she was named Freshman of the Year, was
the 6th man of the year 22/23 and 23/24, Frontier Academic All-Conference 22/23 and
23/24, Champions of Character 23/24, was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
Shyann has been a dedicated volunteer to the campus and community through her involvement
as a student athlete. However, she is also involved in her hometown of Hogeland and
neighboring town of Turner. She helps youth improve their basketball skills and participates
in a wide variety of community service events through the Big Flat Youth Group, including
distributing care packages for children in need during the holidays and cleaning streets
and highways. The Big Flat Youth Group also travels to Havre and volunteers at the
Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.
Macee Murphy.
Macee Murphy is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in
reading with an anticipated graduation date of May 2026; she currently holds a 3.53
cumulative GPA. She is been a member of the Skylights volleyball program, where she
has earned Academic All-Conference and was named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
As a student-athlete, she is involved with many projects that serve the campus and local community. She volunteers to raise money for cancer awareness as well. In addition to excelling in academics and athletics, Macee works two part time jobs at Highland Park Elementary as a paraprofessional and the Boys and Girls Club. Macee intends on completing her degree and pursuing a career in teaching.
Logan Taylor.
Logan Taylor will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Community Leadership with an
emphasis in Non-profit Management and a minor in psychology this spring. He earned
an associate’s degree from Great Falls College -Montana State University with high
honors in 2022. During his time at MSU-Northern, he earned a 3.94 cumulative GPA and
consistently held a position on the Dean’s List. He was recently awarded the Montana
Student Volunteer Award and was the Larry J. Williams Scholarship recipient (2023-2024).
Logan is a member of the Fort Benton Lion's Club, and is a proud golfer, member, and
employee at Signal Point Golf Club (in Fort Benton) for the past 6 years.
After graduating, Logan will continue his academic journey at the University of Providence pursuing graduate school Organizational Leadership. He plans on working in Montana in the non-profit or public sector in a position that will allow him to positively impact his community, while establishing a foundation for a prosperous future.