Every fall the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) awards $1000 George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarships to civically-engaged college students from our colleges and universities. This scholarship recognizes outstanding college student volunteers across Montana who demonstrate exemplary civic leadership and a commitment to fostering positive change in their communities. Service looks different in different contexts in Montana, with much of it being informal, church based and done from senses of neighborliness, commitment to family and community and the greater good, and much of it happening through nonprofit organizations, student groups and campus life. The Dennison Scholarship has had donors ranging from the Dennison family, Reach Higher Montana and private donations. If college student civic engagement and service are important to you, please consider donating (email or call Josh Vanek).
The 2025-26 Scholarship is open, and the application deadline is Sunday, December 14th, 2025.
Apply here!
Our 2024-25 scholarship recipients are:
- Piper Hadley – Flathead Valley Community College, Grief Camp volunteer, first generation student mentor.
- Ashlin Ivester – Montana State University, Founder and volunteer with Holiday Helper, providing home cooked meals for the holidays.
- Sara McCabe – MSU Billings, volunteer with the National Honor Society and served with NavajoYES, the United Way’s Refresh the Rims project.
- Amanda Hagerty – MSU Northern, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce Board member and school-community engagement volunteer.
- Emmett Jeschke – University of Montana Western, volunteer with the food pantry and Red Cross blood drives.
- Raeann Emerson – Salish Kootenai College, environmental and social justice volunteer and advocate for improving conditions for incarcerated people.
- Stacy Tiensvold-Matoon – Salish Kootenai College, volunteer with Women 4 Wellness, food pantry, and SKC basketball teams.
- Cierra Coon – Salish Kootenai College, volunteer leader with a recovery group, peer lead at the Women’s Sober Living House, and Voices for Awareness bringing awareness to the dangers of Fentanyl.
- Lauren Schulte – University of Montana, co-coordinator of UM Advocates and a new student mentor.
- Jaxon Caufield – University of Montana, Honors Student Association President and Alpha Lambda Delta’s volunteer coordinator.
These inspiring students have provided hundreds of volunteer hours to causes close to them, and in doing so have significantly and positively impacted their campuses and communities. By leading projects that address issues from food insecurity to homelessness and substance abuse, they have mobilized their peers and brought attention to important issues. Their dedication reflects the values of George M. Dennison, the late president of the University of Montana, and one of the founding presidents of the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (then Montana Campus Compact) over thirty years ago. Dennison championed the importance of higher education as a force for civic and community engagement.
“Reading these scholarship applications is simultaneously one of the most inspiring and difficult things we do all year” said Josh Vanek with the Campus Network for Civic Engagement. “It gives me enormous hope that we have truly amazing problem solvers in every community in our state.”
About the George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship:
The George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship was established to honor President Dennison’s legacy and commitment to student leadership. Each recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to students across Montana who exhibit outstanding contributions to civic life and community while maintaining their studies. The sponsorship has historically been supported with contributions from the Dennison family, Reach Higher Montana, and private donations.
Join Us in Celebrating These Student Leaders:
We invite the public to congratulate these remarkable individuals as they continue to inspire and lead efforts to create stronger, more inclusive communities. Their achievements testify to the transformative power of civic engagement.
Support the Scholarship
The George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship relies on donors’ generosity to continue fostering civic leadership among Montana’s students. Your contribution helps ensure the scholarship continues.
Contributions can be made online at supportum.org/give. Please select “Other” in the Designation Choice field and specify “George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship” in the comments field. The University of Montana Foundation manages these funds and benefits students across all affiliated institutions.
For more information or questions about the scholarship, please get in touch with us at info@mtengage.org.