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Grain buyer Gene Thayer grows a future for Bobcat Athletics (continued)
"I've admired Gene for many years," said Dean Folkvord, founder and CEO of Wheat Montana Farms, Inc. "He's been a true inspiration to many others in agriculture."
"At no time has Gene Thayer ever compromised his integrity or purpose," Folkvord added. "His reputation is sound, and he has maintained the highest standards."
Thayer was Great Falls' mayor from 1980-1982, a Montana senator from 1985-1993, and served on many community and state boards throughout the years. Through his career, especially during his involvement in politics, Thayer came to a personal definition of a strong leader.
"Success does not just happen by chance. It is a by-product of having a vision, and most importantly the leadership to bring the vision into reality."
--Gene Thayer |
"They don't jump to a conclusion when they hear something, and they don't let the press or public opinion guide them," Thayer said. "They are independent thinkers that analyze the situation and act accordingly. That is the way I operated. Often times I voted, or made decisions that were not particularly popular, but in the long run turned out to be the right thing to do."
He puts Peter Fields and MSU President Geoff Gamble in the category of strong leaders, especially in light of the difficult decisions they've made recently.
"Success does not just happen by chance. It is a by-product of having a vision, and most importantly the leadership to bring the vision into reality," Thayer said. "The athletic program is not just about the coach, or the athletic director or the president of the university. It's about the kids. It's about our overall program. It's about the vision for the future.
"Imagine an athletics program that is able to consistently recruit the nation's top athletes, win championships and produce world-class competitors. Imagine also that these athletes are outstanding students, achieving the highest level of academic success, and that they acquire the necessary life skills to become dynamic members of society.
"This is the program Geoff and Peter are trying to build, and my family wanted to do its part in helping to make it happen," he said. "I just wish we had more to give, quite frankly. If I get more, I'm going to give more."
Athletic victories play a vital role in helping increase the visibility and prestige of the university, Thayer said.
"This is our opportunity to help steer a new course for Bobcat Athletics and positively impact Montana State University," Thayer said. "That's why we gave our money, and we hope that other people, other graduates of MSU, will step forward and make their gifts as well."
> Fall 2007 Contents
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