Campus Life
Donna Rouse receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Apr 14th, 2010 | Category: Campus LifeBy Wally Feldt
Counting her four years as a student and 40 years as an employee, Donna Rouse has spent the majority of her life at the University of Montana Western. Her commitment is being recognized with the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award.
“This is very unexpected but very nice,” Rouse said. “I feel honored. It hasn’t been just a job, it has been a big part of my life. I have made friendships that have and will last a lifetime.”
Though Rouse thinks she was just doing her job, others at Montana Western think the impact she had and continues to have at Montana Western is above and beyond. Rouse was the assistant to Sheila Stearns during Stearns’ six-year tenure as chancellor, and Stearns remembers Rouse fondly.
“Among outstanding alumni of any university you rarely find a person whose contributions are quiet but continuous, substantive but graceful, with strength that is both kind and unshakable,” Stearns stated. “Donna Smith Rouse is one of those rare individuals. How timely and wise to honor her steady presence and leadership at the backbone of Montana Western all these years.”
A native of Melrose, Mont., Rouse received a bachelors of science degree in business and physical education from what was then Western Montana College in 1970. Her career at Montana Western began in the admissions and placement office and quietly moved to where she was needed. Rouse has served as assistants to presidents, provosts, assistant chancellors and chancellors.
Montana Western Provost Karl Ulrich has shared on office with Rouse for 14 years. Ulrich said he continually relies not only on Rouse’s informed counsel, but also her positive attitude.
“Her knowledge of the workings of the university is immense and very valuable to me and others,” Ulrich said. “On a personal level, I know that I can always trust Donna and the advice she gives. Her great sense of humor and caring have helped me and Montana Western through some difficult times.”
The Montana Western Foundation oversees the Distinguished Alumni Award. Executive director Amberly Pahut said the decision to award Rouse was an easy one.
“The contributions Donna Rouse has made to the University of Montana Western are nothing short of extraordinary,” Pahut said. “Over the past forty years she has served as executive assistant to vice chancellors and chancellors. But more importantly, she has been a student advocate, tireless volunteer, friend to many and Bulldog supporter.”
Though Rouse observes a large change in technology from the time she walked onto the Montana Western campus, she said the students and the focus this university places on students has not changed.
“The kids come today like they have in past years with the same kind of problems,” Rouse added. “They need this class substituted or waived, but they remain the same. You do something for them and they appreciate it and thank you. That’s who you do it for and it makes it all worth it.”
A public reception for Rouse will be held on May 7 in Montana Western’s Roe House from 4 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served at the gathering, which is sponsored by the Montana Western Foundation.
Congrats Donna…well deserved!!!!!
We could not have selected anyone more deserving!
Donna is the best! Thanks for all your support!
Congratulations! You are so deserving of this award.
I’m so proud!! xxoo
Congratulations Donna-you are very deserving and the award is long overdue!
Congratulations! Thanks for your service to Western!
Donna, Congratulations! No one deserves this recognition more than you. Your love and generosity has impacted so many lives, mine included! I love you. – Jody
To a great gal, a job well done, and to perseverence! Wow! May your next 40 years be a blessing as well.—a classmate from 1970, WMC, Susie Hammond Boller, Lakeside, MT.
Donna, a big congratulations to you for all your years of service to Western, its students, faculty and especially the administration. You certainly deserve this award. I don’t think people know just how much you do for Western, but I do, and it’s above and beyond. You are the best and I love you. Karyle
Cheers Donna – you are a very deserving recipient of this award. My family and I are very happy for you!
WAHOO!! Yay Aunt Donna…Congrats and love you lots!!
Donna, what great achievement. Forty years with the same institution is unheard of now a days. Getting along with so many chancellors/vice chancellors is truly an art form of a compassionate and dedicated person. Congratulation from Denny and Diana. God Bless (first draft had typo “Forty tears…” probably a lot of truth in that).
Donna has been the heart of the institution. She is hard-working, dedicated and a pleasure to work with at all times. She is always upbeat and is a person that students, faculty and staff can go to in order to solve just about any problem. I don’t know what Karl would do without you! UMW is a much better place because of you. The recognition is LONG overdue!……Rob