Education
Education
Montana Tech Chancellor Announces Retirement
In his eighth year as Chancellor of Montana Tech, Dr. Don Blackketter announced today his plans to retire effective July 1, 2019. “This experience has been a wonderful journey for both myself and Vicki. I want to thank you for the opportunity and privilege to serve as your Chancellor. This was a long thought-out decision. Vicki and I will be exploring possible options in retirement including travel, spending more time with our kids and grandkids, and settling into a new location next June.”
During Blackketter’s years at Montana Tech, he has seen a number of accomplishments focusing on people, place, and programs. A few notable accomplishments include:
- Remodel of the Health Sciences Building
- Installation of Digger Turf on Bob Green Field
- Completion of the Natural Resource Research Center
- Design and construction of the Student Success Center/Living & Learning Center
- Transferred the nursing program from the south campus to the north campus and transitioned the program from an ASN to a BSN
- Received approval to make the mechanical and civil engineering options full degree programs
- Launched Montana Tech’s first PhD program in Materials Science
- Added a Natural Resource Management option to the Business & Information Technology Program
- Received approval for Montana Tech to be designated a Special Focus University
- Changed Montana Tech’s formal name to Montana Technological University
- Saw extraordinary increases in our philanthropic support from friends, alumni, and industry
- His wife Vicki has hosted four successful Purse Strings events supporting Safe Space of Butte
“I am grateful for the support I have received from Commissioner Christian, the Montana Board of Regents, the Montana Tech faculty, staff, students, and alumni,” noted Blackketter. “I pledge to work diligently the next nine months to complete the tasks at hand. I want to thank the faculty and staff who are the cornerstone of the University. Any Montana Tech accomplishment happens because of your incredible commitment and dedication.”
The Montana University System will launch a national search for the position as soon as possible.
