Montana Tech announces 2025 Early Impact Alumni Awardees 

Montana Technological University will present the 2025 Early Impact Alumni Awards on campus on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The awardees are Brianne McClafferty and Dr. Nick Gow.  

The Early Impact Alumni Award is given to Montana Technological University graduates who have already made a lasting impact on their community, Montana Tech, and their profession. This award celebrates alumni who have made an early impact after graduation and shown tremendous potential in their professional field. Awardees are great examples of how a world-class education from Montana Tech is limitless. 

“Brianne McClafferty and Dr. Nick Gow exemplify the spirit of innovation, leadership, and dedication that define Montana Technological University alumni,” noted Sean Ryan, director of alumni engagement. "Their outstanding contributions early in their careers demonstrate the remarkable impact our graduates have in their professional fields and communities. We are proud to recognize them with the Early Impact Alumni Award and celebrate their achievements." 

McClafferty (B.S. Business and Information Technology-Management, ’12) received the Dr. Leroy Walker Champion of Character Award as a member of the Montana Tech women’s basketball team. After Montana Tech, McClafferty went on to the University of Montana School of Law graduating with her juris doctorate in 2015. That same year, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Brian Morris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana. In 2016, McClafferty was hired as an associate at Holland and Hart, LLP, in Billings, where she guides clients through complex litigation of commercial, environmental, employment and bankruptcy disputes. In 2024, the firm named her partner and the administrative partner of Holland & Hart’s Billings office. 

McClafferty is married to Michael Hawbaker. She was nominated for the Early Impact Alumni Award by Tim Kober, Joseph McClafferty, and Scott Sampson.  

Dr. R. Nick Gow (B.S. Metallurgical Engineering, ’08; B.S. Chemistry, ’11; M.S. Metallurgical Engineering, ’08) of Butte, is a senior study lead for the mineral processing group at Paterson & Cooke. Gow earned his interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Chemistry and Metallurgical Engineering jointly from the University of Montana and Montana Tech in 2015.  

Gow has authored 15 technical papers published in professional journals and has served as a technical organizer for several international conferences. He is an active member of five different professional associations including the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America (MMSA), the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC), National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME). He also serves as an associate editor for the Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (MME) journal.  

A dedicated volunteer within SME, Gow currently serves as an intern for the SME Board of Directors. In 2023, Gow received the Ivan B. Rahn Education Award, which recognizes distinguished contributions to the educational activities within SME and is open to all SME members who have shown long-term interest in and have significantly contributed to SME activities relating to ABET, student affairs, continuing education, professional registration, and/or the Council of Education.  

Gow is married to Cynthia Gow, and has two children. He was nominated for the Early Impact Alumni Award by Dr. Kathleen Altman, Sean Armstrong, Adam House, Dr. Ronel Kappes, Diana Rodriguez and Dr. Courtney Young.