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Montana State University - Billings is a state university located in Billings, Montana (USA). It was named Eastern Montana Normal School when it was founded and then named Eastern Montana College before being renamed to its present name when the Montana State University System reorganized in 1994.
The university was established in 1927 and offers Associate/Bachelor/Master degrees and certificates in various education fields. MSU-Billings is known as having a strong Education and Rehabilitation majors. Today, there are hundreds of degrees to choose from.
Students have access to many places in Montana, from hiking in the nearby city and state parks to sightseeing in Yellowstone National Park to going to a concert at MetraPark.
Currently around 4,600 students attend MSU-Billings.
Student Life
The average age of an MSU-Billings student is approximately 28; many students are "non-traditional" or returning students with full or part time jobs and children. However, MSU-B maintains an active student life mainly drawing from the residence halls (fitting 500 students) primarily filled with underclassman.
Some of the major student organizations include:
The Associated Students of Montana State University - Billings the student government. This organization is run by and for students, taking in concerns, advocating student issues and rights, and allocating funds.
Student Activities Board organizers of activities from comedians to current movies.
The Retort student newspaper
Campus Ministries include various denominations from Baha’i to non-denominational and Catholic
A full list of student organizations can be found at: http://www.msubillings.edu/org/#a
Notable Alumns
- Roy McPipe (Drafted by the NBA in '73 and '74, played with the ABA's Utah Stars in 1975)
- Kevin Red Star (Native American artist)
Athletics
The athletic teams are nicknamed the Yellowjackets and compete in the NCAA's Heartland Conference. Montana State University - Billings, has an active athletic department, including a newly reformed baseball program. Other sports include: Men's and Women's basketball (both making appearances in conference finals over the years), cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, cheerleading, softball, volleyball, and tennis. The official MSU-B song is the "Fight Song". Starting fall 2007 MSU-Billings will be joining the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
Men's Basketball
The Yellowjackets men's basketball program has been at the forefront of the MSU-Billings sports offerings since football was abandoned in the 1970s. The program has lately been competitive within NCAA Div. II and the Heartland Conference. In the past ten years the Yellowjackets have led Div. II (and in some cases all of the NCAA) in three-pointers made per game. The school has finished under .500 only once in that timespan.While Roy McPipe remains the only former player to be drafted by the NBA and play major professional basketball in the United States, many former players have found pro careers in Europe or in minor leagues in the states.
Men's Baseball
The Yellowjackets baseball program had orginally been dropped in 1974, 5 years before the school moved from NAIA to an NCAA Div. II athletics program. The baseball team was re-established in 2006, enjoying it's first year ever as a NCAA baseball school under manager Chris Brown in the Heartland Conference.The 2006 season started on February 24 with a 6-3 loss to Northwest Nazarene University. The Jackets began the year on a 16 game road trip, losing all 16 games. They started the year 0-18 before a 11-2 home win at Cobb Field against the same Northwest Nazarene team. The Jackets finished their first NCAA season on a 15-17 run to finish 15-35.
Extensions
The College of Technology (West campus) Originally another associate-level community college, this college recently merged with the main campus. In the past few years, enrollment has risen to over 1,000 full time students (accounting for nearly 1/5 of the student body). Projections with grant improvements and workforce needs forsee a 2,000 student increase in the near future.
Distance Learning (Online campus) Newly formed, and less far-reaching than projected. Currently a work-in-progress.
Student Services
Essential Departments for student service include:
Academic Support Center
Admissions, Records and Registrar
Advising Center
Beezer's (formerly the Book Depot)
Business Services (Cashier, Fee Payment)
Campus Police
Career Services and Cooperative Education
Child Care & Enrichment Center
Dining Services
Disability Support Services
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Graduate Studies
Honors Program
Housing & Residential Life
Information Technology
International Studies
Jacket Student Ambassadors
Multicultural Student Services
Office for Community Involvement
Office of Research Compliance
Parking
Recreational Activities
Student Government (ASMSUB)
Student Health Services
Student Opportunity Services/TRIO
Student Union & Activities
Veterans' Upward Bound
External link
"Montana State University - Billings"