 |
| by
Carol Schmidt |
| MSU
Communications Services |
|
| Marilyn
Wessel, whose work with MSU has spanned two
decades and impacted the Museum of the Rockies,
Montana Public Television, university public
relations and legislative lobbying, retired
March 31. |
| "I
am leaving because it is time," said Wessel,
who is 61. "The museum is in great shape and
I'm still in good shape and it is the right
time for me to move to another phase of my
life." |
| Wessel
said she is open to what that phase will be. |
|
|
| "I
plan to travel and do some of the things I've put off
doing for 30 years," she said. For most of those 30 years,
Wessell brought her focus, high energy and intelligence
to projects involving Montana State. For many employees,
both at the university and museum, it seems inconceivable
she is retiring. |
| "Marilyn
Wessel has done an extraordinary job leading the Museum
of the Rockies into the new century," said David Dooley,
MSU provost. "She has left the museum in a position to
continue to increase its impact and outreach to our community,
to our state and region." |
| A
native of Percival, Iowa, Wessel earned a degree in journalism
from Iowa State University, then began her career in newspaper
reporting. She was a seasoned and respected reporter when
she and her husband, Tom, moved to Bozeman 30 years ago
for his appointment as professor in MSU's Department of
History and Philosophy. Wessel became the news director
at the former KBMN radio station and was well-known in
the Gallatin Valley for her eloquent and composed reporting
during election-night coverage at her station in a time
before computerized polls. |
| Wessel
was appointed as a special assistant to former MSU President
William Tietz in 1982 and that year also earned a master's
degree in public administration from MSU. Since then,
Wessel has been affiliated with MSU in various capacities.
In 1988, while she was director of MSU's university relations,
she completed the Harvard University Institute for Education
Management. She served 15 years as the university's chief
spokesman and was the university's lobbyist during 12
sessions. She is known for bringing professional public
relations to the university and shepherding the university's
history, "In the Public Interest," published in honor
of the university's 100th anniversary in 1993. Wessel
was appointed dean and director of the museum in 1997
following a national search. |
| Wessel
said as she finishes her term, she looks back with pride
on her outstanding staff and volunteers, the successful
programs for kids and families that the museum has instituted,
the dynamic exhibition program, the planetarium and the
museum's Living History Farm, "and our wonderful dinosaurs,
especially Big Mike (the Tyrannosaurus rex replica in
the front of the museum named for the late MSU President
Mike Malone.)" |
| "And
I am really proud of the research we are doing now," she
said, including the areas of history of archaeology and
photography, as well as the world-class paleontology for
which the museum is so noted. She is also enthusiastic
about the new minor in museum studies established in connection
with MSU's academic departments. |
| In
addition she points to a rigorous exhibition schedule
of at least five new exhibits each year. |
| Outside
of the MOR, Wessel said she is also proud of having been
a part of founding of Montana Public Television as well
as many communications efforts for MSU. |
| Immediately
following her retirement, Wessel and her husband, Tom,
a retired history professor and head of the Department
of History and Philosophy, will be touring Europe for
three months. |
| When
she returns, Wessel's not sure of the projects that she
may choose to tackle. A natural leader she is frequently
asked if she will run for office. That is something that
she cannot do while serving on Montana's Federal Reserve
Board of Directors, she says. And, she's enjoying teaching
a freshman seminar. While she's not sure about the chapters
that lie ahead, she is certain it's time to close the
book on her time at MSU. |
| "The
university has given me many opportunities," Wessel said.
"I like to think that I gave back." |
