Gift from Great Falls business owner moves MSU athletics toward goals
4/24/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
As part of its Blue and Gold spring football festivities in Great Falls, MSU athletics announced today a Sletten family gift of $500,000. The gift will help advance the master plan for development of student-athlete facilities on the Bozeman campus. Included in the features of that master plan are facilities that will help students advance their preparation for athletic participation and support their academic pursuits.
“It’s critical to support the Bobcat athletic program now,” explained Sletten. “I’m in the construction business and I can tell you building costs aren’t going to get any cheaper, so time is critical. It’s absolutely imperative to have state-of-the-art facilities to remain competitive both academically and athletically. Anyone in business knows that, if you don’t keep up with competitors, you’ll be out of business in pretty short order.”
The Slettens have earmarked this particular gift for MSU athletics but, over the years, the family has also provided strong and consistent support for academic programs. For example, in 2004 the Slettens provided a $1 million scholarship endowment for students studying in the college of engineering.
"I think that a university experience is like a three legged stool,” said Sletten. “Academics, athletics and the administration all work together and their successes impact each other. I believe statistics would show that high school graduation levels in Montana schools are declining. So, at least for the next few years, recruiting top students has to be on the front burner. A successful athletic program is a big draw for students who want to attend a school that’s a winner all the way around.”
Peter Fields, Montana State University Athletic Director, praised the Slettens’ generosity and emphasized the importance of integrated academics and athletics to a successful university.
“Bob and Pat Sletten have consistently shown over the years that they understand the importance of athletics, as well as academics, to providing a well-rounded and complete university experience. A successful athletic program not only makes a positive contribution to the university, but also to the community and the entire state.”
The Slettens’ gift comes at a time of transition for MSU athletics. Rob Ash is preparing for his second season as head football coach and the university has its sights set on lofty goals for the entire athletic program.
“I’m very impressed with the direction of MSU athletics,” said Sletten, “and very pleased with the way they conduct business. With Peter Fields and Coach Ash, it’s not just about winning but also that these kids are here for an education. Peter Fields, Coach Ash and (Montana State University) President Gamble do a great job of stressing that, for MSU student athletes, success doesn’t end at the goal line.”
The Sletten family has a history of philanthropy, what they call “giving back” to types of institutions that have made important and positive contributions to their lives. Besides Montana State University, the family and Sletten Construction have made significant contributions to a variety of youth-oriented organizations and health care facilities.
“We’ve worked with the medical community in Great Falls, with the Sletten Cancer Center and we’ll be finishing the Hi-Line Cancer Center in Havre this June,” explained Sletten. “I’m a two-time cancer survivor and both of my parents died from cancer, so this is something that’s important to our family.
“We feel like, if we can help improve cancer care here in our area, we can do something to help other people get treatment and be able to stay close to home.”
The idea of giving back is central to the ongoing Sletten family practice of supporting MSU, Sletten said. It’s a family tradition that is much valued and appreciated by MSU President Geoff Gamble.
“The Slettens are one of our most generous families,” said Gamble. “Their generosity has had important and positive impacts all over our MSU campus. Over the years, they’ve literally contributed millions of dollars. The Slettens’ gifts have been important to academics, athletics and our ability to develop and build excellent, student-first programs in every area of our university.”
The entire Sletten family, including the kids and grandkids,has been consistently and enthusiastically supportive of the programs and facilities at Montana State University.
“I’m so thankful for the education and opportunities presented to me through my MSU experience,” said Sletten. “Really, we’re not making a donation or gift. I look at this more as paying back the university for what it’s meant to our success, paying back a loan we’ve been borrowing against since graduation.
“I’d encourage all MSU alumni to look back and recognize all the advantages and advancements that their university experience has given them. I’d encourage them to think about what they’ve received and consider that it might be payback time for them, so that others can have the opportunity to take advantage of what MSU offers, the same as we did.”
“It’s critical to support the Bobcat athletic program now,” explained Sletten. “I’m in the construction business and I can tell you building costs aren’t going to get any cheaper, so time is critical. It’s absolutely imperative to have state-of-the-art facilities to remain competitive both academically and athletically. Anyone in business knows that, if you don’t keep up with competitors, you’ll be out of business in pretty short order.”
The Slettens have earmarked this particular gift for MSU athletics but, over the years, the family has also provided strong and consistent support for academic programs. For example, in 2004 the Slettens provided a $1 million scholarship endowment for students studying in the college of engineering.
"I think that a university experience is like a three legged stool,” said Sletten. “Academics, athletics and the administration all work together and their successes impact each other. I believe statistics would show that high school graduation levels in Montana schools are declining. So, at least for the next few years, recruiting top students has to be on the front burner. A successful athletic program is a big draw for students who want to attend a school that’s a winner all the way around.”
Peter Fields, Montana State University Athletic Director, praised the Slettens’ generosity and emphasized the importance of integrated academics and athletics to a successful university.
“Bob and Pat Sletten have consistently shown over the years that they understand the importance of athletics, as well as academics, to providing a well-rounded and complete university experience. A successful athletic program not only makes a positive contribution to the university, but also to the community and the entire state.”
The Slettens’ gift comes at a time of transition for MSU athletics. Rob Ash is preparing for his second season as head football coach and the university has its sights set on lofty goals for the entire athletic program.
“I’m very impressed with the direction of MSU athletics,” said Sletten, “and very pleased with the way they conduct business. With Peter Fields and Coach Ash, it’s not just about winning but also that these kids are here for an education. Peter Fields, Coach Ash and (Montana State University) President Gamble do a great job of stressing that, for MSU student athletes, success doesn’t end at the goal line.”
The Sletten family has a history of philanthropy, what they call “giving back” to types of institutions that have made important and positive contributions to their lives. Besides Montana State University, the family and Sletten Construction have made significant contributions to a variety of youth-oriented organizations and health care facilities.
“We’ve worked with the medical community in Great Falls, with the Sletten Cancer Center and we’ll be finishing the Hi-Line Cancer Center in Havre this June,” explained Sletten. “I’m a two-time cancer survivor and both of my parents died from cancer, so this is something that’s important to our family.
“We feel like, if we can help improve cancer care here in our area, we can do something to help other people get treatment and be able to stay close to home.”
The idea of giving back is central to the ongoing Sletten family practice of supporting MSU, Sletten said. It’s a family tradition that is much valued and appreciated by MSU President Geoff Gamble.
“The Slettens are one of our most generous families,” said Gamble. “Their generosity has had important and positive impacts all over our MSU campus. Over the years, they’ve literally contributed millions of dollars. The Slettens’ gifts have been important to academics, athletics and our ability to develop and build excellent, student-first programs in every area of our university.”
The entire Sletten family, including the kids and grandkids,has been consistently and enthusiastically supportive of the programs and facilities at Montana State University.
“I’m so thankful for the education and opportunities presented to me through my MSU experience,” said Sletten. “Really, we’re not making a donation or gift. I look at this more as paying back the university for what it’s meant to our success, paying back a loan we’ve been borrowing against since graduation.
“I’d encourage all MSU alumni to look back and recognize all the advantages and advancements that their university experience has given them. I’d encourage them to think about what they’ve received and consider that it might be payback time for them, so that others can have the opportunity to take advantage of what MSU offers, the same as we did.”
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