$50 Million Donation

MSU President Waded Cuzado presented Norm with the President’s Medallion at the fall 2018 commencement ceremony.

In 2002, Norm joined the Engineering Advisory Council for MSU's College of Engineering. The council provides an industry perspective to the college with a focus on academics, research and student success.

One of Norm's early desires was to see the College of Engineering adopt a model for interdisciplinary education. He wanted graduates to receive an education in not only engineering, but business and management skills as well.

In 2013, MSU President Waded Cruzado and College of Engineering Dean Brett Gunnink met with Norm at AAON. They explained that they'd taken Norm's vision of collaborative education as far as they were able, and that the College of Engineering was outgrowing its facilities. Cruzado and Gunnink showed Norm drawings of a new College of Engineering that would occupy a space just south of the Strand Union Building. The three discussed the collaborative educational opportunities the building would provide and the requirements necessary to make it a reality.

Norm decided to fund Montana State University's request if the university would raise an additional $20 million. MSU followed through and on March 3, 2014, announced Norm's commitment of $50 million for a new College of Engineering. Norm's donation was the largest private gift in the history of Montana.