2008 Welcome From The Chancellor

Dear Friends of Montana State University-Billings:

Greetings! Welcome to Montana State University Billings and the 2008 Wine & Food Festival, which promises to be the most exciting ever. My wife Marilynn and I thank you for joining us to celebrate the 16th anniversary of this magnificent Festival. We gather with our friends, colleagues, and guests to celebrate academic excellence, our outstanding students, and the extraordinary accomplishments of our faculty and staff.

We extend our deepest appreciation to a great cast of volunteers; the MSU Billings Foundation staff, particularly Ms. Jeanne Moller who directs Festival planning; the Foundation Board of Trustees; the University's faculty, staff and students; and many others whose dedication and creative talents have set the stage for a fantastic Festival. Please join us in offering very special thanks to the 2008 Wine & Food Festival partners and sponsors, whose involvement and support make this wonderful event possible.

The Wine & Food Festival exemplifies the ideals of an extraordinary partnership built on a shared commitment to excellence. The primary beneficiaries are our students, as they remain our best hope for a future filled with caring, good health, prosperity and peace. "Access and Excellence" remains our commitment and reaffirms our belief in the importance of providing opportunities for personal growth, intellectual development and success for all our students.

I wish there were a more effective and personal way to directly share with each of you the unbelievable impacts you have made on the lives of our students and the teaching, research, and creative endeavors of our faculty through your support of Wine & Food Festival.

Your support for student scholarships, books, child care; international and minority student scholarships; civic engagement and service learning and leadership; faculty research, creative endeavors, and professional development; staff professional development and advancement; as well as laboratory equipment and technology ensures the highest quality educational experience for every student attending MSU Billings. Your remarkable legacy changes lives and ensures the well being of your University!

The "Lots of Scholarships" auction is an amazing demonstration of your belief in higher education and provides critical support for our students. When you hear from our students and learn about their personal challenges, plans, and dreams, you, too, will understand our strong belief in the unlimited prospects of a brighter future for all Montanans.

Please accept my open invitation to visit our campuses and meet with faculty, staff and students. Please contact me whenever I or the University might be of assistance.

Now, please enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere and friendly conversations; savor the fantastic food and drink; and join in the unique educational experiences offered throughout Wine & Food Festival 2008. Bid generously during the silent and live auctions, rally around the "scholarship auction," and visit the Wine Store. Help us make these special events the most successful ever. Have a wonderful time, and come back often to Montana State University Billings - your University!

Warmest regards,

Ronald P. Sexton, Ph.D.
Chancellor

P.S. Please join us in a very special tribute to all of the members of our military services who have and who continue to serve our Country during these challenging times of war and unrest. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their family members.