Yellowstone Times

Montana State University has announced a significant financial contribution to support wildlife conservation studies. A $30 million endowment, the largest in the university's history, has been established by Kathy Hansen Crawford in honor of her late husband, Thomas "Tim" Crawford. The endowment will fund the Crawford Wildlife Habitat Scholarships, available annually to both undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in conserving Montana's wildlife and its habitats.

The Crawfords' passion for protecting natural environments stems from their early experiences with nature. Two years after Tim's passing in 2022, this donation aims to inspire future generations to engage in wildlife protection efforts.

"This is a transformative gift for MSU students in this field," stated MSU President Waded Cruzado. "I am deeply moved by the Crawfords’ generosity."

The scholarships are open to students from all disciplines within the university, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as engineering, nursing, business, education, art, architecture, and history. "It will fuel an interdisciplinary dialogue and a cross-pollination of ideas that will inspire fresh, innovative solutions," explained Robert Mokwa, MSU provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs.

The scholarship fund is expected to generate $1.2 million annually for student support. Fran Albrecht, president and CEO of the MSU Alumni Foundation remarked on its impact: “The Crawford Wildlife Habitat Scholarships will serve as life-changing gifts for student scholarship recipients.”

Kathy Crawford expressed hope that these scholarships would not only benefit students but also foster community engagement through public presentations at Bozeman's Tim Crawford Theater.

Information on applying for these scholarships will soon be made available by MSU.