About The Center - In December 2002, the College of Business at Montana State University-Bozeman received a $3 million gift from the family and friends of College of Business alumnus, Gary K. Bracken. In July 2003, the Board of Regents approved the request to establish this gift as an endowment from Gary K. Bracken for The Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education.

Gary K. Bracken grew up in a small town in rural Montana (Sidney) and graduated from the College of Business in 1961 with a degree in accounting. He worked for the accounting firm of KPMG in Billings. Later, he joined a small startup company and subsequently retired as Executive Vice-President and controller of one of the largest cable media companies in the United States.

Bracken had a longtime relationship with the College and was a member of the College's National Board of Advisors. He passed away in April, 2001. Through his family and friends, he was able to give back to the institution that prepared him for a successful future. Bracken was known as a visionary with respect to the College's efforts to emphasize undergraduate education, excellence in teaching, and strong faculty-supported learning experiences for students.

The Bracken Center is the focal point of the undergraduate student mission of the College of Business. Scholarships, travel abroad fellowships, career counseling services, mentoring programs, executives-in-residence, small classes, and curriculum development are supported through The Center.