MONTANA TECH ANNOUNCES OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS 

Montana Tech announced student honors for its graduating class of 2023 at a ceremony held on campus Friday. The Bachelor of Science valedictorian award was given to four graduating seniors who achieved the highest grade point average overall in their years of study at the university. The recipients entered Montana Tech as freshmen and completed all degree requirements without subsequent transfer work. The 2023 Bachelor of Science valedictorians are Zachary Hein, Mechanical Engineering; Ryan McCarthy, Business & Information Technology; Baylie Phillips, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering; and Austin Seyer, Mathematical Sciences.

The Associate of Science and the Associate of Applied Science valedictorian awards are given to graduates who achieved the highest grade point average overall in their years of study toward a first Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree. The recipients entered Montana Tech as freshmen and completed all degree requirements without subsequent transfer work. The 2023 Associate of Science Valedictorian is Nicholas Verlanic, Associate of Science. The Associate of Applied Science Valedictorian is Colton Wolken, Machining Technology. 

The university also awarded the 2023 Highest Scholastic Standing in the Arts & Sciences Award to Ryan McCarthy, Business & Information Technology, and Austin Seyer, Mathematical Sciences.

Montana Tech also announced the recipients of the Chester H. Steele Honor Awards. The Chester H. Steele Honor Award recognizes the outstanding graduating senior or seniors in engineering with the highest scholastic achievement. The 2023 awardee is Zachary Hein, Mechanical Engineering, and Baylie Phillips, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering. The second Chester H. Steele Award is presented to an outstanding graduate in mining/geology selected based on scholastic achievement. The 2023 awardee is Joshua Ralph, Mining Engineering. 

Montana Tech also announced junior Mechanical Engineering student Jay Yoder as the 2023 Student Employee of the Year. The university also recognized Johannah Forsberg as the Montana Student Volunteer awardee and 2023 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, Koby Martin, Civil Engineering, and Alyssa Plant, Environmental Engineering. 

The Montana Society of Engineers announced the 2023 Gold Medal Award recipient. For nearly 100 years, the Montana Society of Engineers has presented an outstanding senior graduating in engineering from Montana Tech with the award. The 2023 awardee is Baylie Phillips, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering.

The following students received their department’s Outstanding Student Award. Department faculty chose students based on scholastic achievement, character, and community service. These are the students who best represent each department.

Kaylee Appley, Biological Sciences 

Royce Bird, Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene 

Eric Bledsoe, Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene 

Megan Bownes, Interdisciplinary Arts and Science 

Megan Bownes, Writing Program 

Michael Bruner, Mathematical Sciences 

Cody Burk, Automotive Technology 

Gabe Cangelosi, Geological Engineering 

Jaden Cleveland, Civil Engineering 

Justin Crockford, Pre-Apprentice Line Program 

Meg Delaney, Exercise and Health Science 

Emily Garden, Chemistry & Geochemistry 

Wyatt Gunlock, Precision Machining 

Zack Hein, Mechanical Engineering 

Ryan McCarthy, Business & Information Technology

Brandon Mitchell, Computer Science 

Catherine Mulholland, Environmental Engineering 

Zack Schroeck, Cybersecurity and Networking 

Landers Smith, Construction Technology 

Connor Stanghill, Nursing 

Bryce Stewart, Welding Technology 

Nathan Wasylowich, Petroleum Engineering 

Mackenzie Wiegand, Electrical Engineering 

Jacob Williams, Civil Engineering Technology

For more information about Montana Tech’s commencement ceremony, please visit www.mtech.edu/academics/services/enrollment/commencement/.