Montana State University will honor Elizabeth “Betty” McCoy, a longtime leader in Montana 4-H, with a posthumous honorary doctorate at its spring commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 8 at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The Montana University System Board of Regents approved the degree for McCoy on March 12.
Honorary doctorates are the highest commendation given by the university and recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society. MSU is recognized as Montana’s land-grant institution and a leading research university in Bozeman, offering extensive academic programs and contributing significantly to public service, according to the official website.
Cody Stone, executive director of MSU Extension, nominated McCoy for her “extraordinary commitment” to the university’s land-grant mission through her work with MSU Extension and dedicated service to 4-H youth development. Stone wrote, “Though she is no longer with us, Betty’s legacy continues to profoundly impact Montana and embodies the very ideals our institution seeks to recognize through this distinguished honor.”
McCoy was born in Great Falls and raised near Belt. She earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU in home economics before serving as a state 4-H specialist from 1978 to 1988. She later became the state’s 4-H program leader until her retirement in 2004. Her leadership led to new statewide youth development programs and guided several advisory councils. She also played a key role in transitioning from the State 4-H Office to the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development, which was approved in 2002.
Among her many honors, McCoy was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2018 and received awards such as the National Outstanding International 4-H Youth Exchange Award (2000) and MSU’s Blue and Gold award (2024). In support of her nomination, James Lindstrom wrote that “Betty’s strength was based in her storytelling, listening to others, sharing her own experiences and connecting various narratives to solve problems, build partnerships and facilitate learning.” Dave Phillips described her as “inclusive, a true builder of educational programs and opportunities… known for her ability to enhance lifelong learning opportunities for herself and those around her.” Carrie Ashe added that “Betty’s participation in 4-H throughout her own youth set her course as a teacher – not in a school, but through MSU Extension and Montana 4-H.”
MSU leads research funding within Montana with annual expenditures exceeding $288 million according to its official website. The university enrolls about 17,165 students split evenly between residents and nonresidents. It ranks among the top five percent of global universities per the Center for World University Rankings.
The university extends its influence across communities through volunteer efforts, outreach initiatives, research aimed at improving lives and environmental stewardship according to its official website.
Stone said awarding this honorary degree posthumously would affirm MSU’s commitment “to recognizing those whose work transcends their lifetime.” For more information about commencement events visit montana.edu/commencement.