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Eliason returns to Bozeman and involvement with the university
that helped shaped his life
by Anne Pettinger
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| Todd Eliason and wife Arlene are two of many MSU graduates returning to Bozeman after successful careers. |
The first job Todd Eliason landed after graduating from Montana State University in 1974 took him away from Bozeman. Now, more than 30 years later, he's moving back.
Eliason and his wife, Arlene, are looking forward to furthering their campus ties when they move to Bozeman this summer. "After I got involved with the Alumni Association and spent more time around campus, I wanted to come back," said the incoming president of the Alumni Association.
That's because the 55-year-old Eliason, who counts his college years as some of his most memorable, says the university helped shape his life, even from thousands of miles away.
"I feel strongly about Montana State," he said. "I think the education really helped me be successful in my career."
Eliason's first job after earning a commerce degree was as a marketing director at a bank in Great Falls, but he spent the bulk of his career at GTE and was instrumental in merging that company with Bell Atlantic to form what is now called Verizon. He retired after the merger, but shortly thereafter became the CEO of WatchMark, a small software company in Seattle. He retired for a second time in 2003.
"I think the quality of education you can get at Montana State is on par with, if not better than, Ivy League educations."
--Todd Eliason |
Even when he was working full time and living far away—he's resided in Washington, Texas, Georgia, Florida and Conneticut—Eliason's connection to MSU remained important. Not only did he follow the university through its sports teams, but he and his wife, who graduated from Montana State in the '70s with a degree in nutrition, have given money to their colleges. They've also frequently visited campus and shared it with their children, who are now both in school in the East.
"I'm a real staunch advocate of MSU and always have been," Eliason said. Though he's encountered people in other parts of the United States who think that Ivy League universities are the best, Eliason disagrees.
"I think the quality of education you can get at Montana State is on par with, if not better than, Ivy League educations," he said.
Eliason said he chose the university to maintain a family tradition. A third-generation Montanan from Deer Lodge, Eliason's father, several uncles and three brothers all went to MSU, too.
Eliason also was involved in a variety of activities at MSU, including the Sigma Nu fraternity, ASMSU and Fangs, a service group.
He grew to love the university not only for its educational and leadership opportunities, but also for the area's outdoor attractions. It was also in Bozeman that Eliason and his wife, who is from Helena, met.
Now, Eliason envisions working on a variety of services, including one that will help link students with alumni who would mentor them.
"One of the things I'm intrigued with is helping alumni connect back to their college through career services."
Eliason also hopes to get involved with the College of Business and with TechRanch, a Bozeman-based research center for entrepreneurs.
Though being involved with MSU might take more of an effort for alumni who live across the country than for those living in Bozeman, Eliason has some advice for others.
"My experience in the classroom, and my leadership experiences with my fraternity, really helped ground me and give me a long-term tie to Montana State," he said. "My advice is for people to stay connected, wherever they live."
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