Mary ’72, ’81, ’89 M and Gary Swier-Bolhuis’s decision to include Montana State University in their will stems from their commitment to giving back to the university that they credit for much of their success. Montana State was not only the place where Mary earned her degrees, but the place that influenced and supported the success of their family dairy farm in Manhattan, Montana.

Gary and Mary, in a sense, “wandered” into their connection with MSU, and the university subsequently shaped their future paths and successes.

Originally from Ripon, California, Mary was visiting an aunt and uncle in Bozeman one summer when her aunt encouraged her to “walk up the hill” to MSU and look around. Mary had attended a California university for three years, studying history, but wasn’t sure if she wanted to continue her schooling in the fall.

“I meandered into Dr. Pierce Mullen’s office in the history department [at MSU]. Long story short, I never left. I did very little besides study that last year, but I graduated with a degree in history,” Mary said.

“Eventually, I earned a degree in English, another in political science, a master’s in history and finally an administrator’s endorsement. At the time, MSU was exactly what I wanted and needed. My professors were dedicated beyond belief…outstanding professors that left a mark on my life were Jack Folsom, Duane Hoynes and Sara Jayne Steen in English; Jeff Safford, Robert Rydell, Josiah Ober and Pierce Mullen were standouts for me in history and government.”

Mary met Gary at a church function in Bozeman. They got engaged the week she graduated with her first degree, in June of 1972.

Gary was working with his parents on the family dairy farm in Manhattan and eventually took over after their passing. Gary began connecting with MSU when a professor in the dairy science department brought his classes out to the farm and dairy facility. Buelon “Pete” Moss was both a professor and MSU Extension agent, and he invited Gary to see the university’s facilities in return.

Gary made his way to Linfield Hall and kept coming back. Over the years, he sat in on classes on animal science nutrition, forage management, artificial insemination and crop management.

Through their will, the Swier-Bolhuises want to give back to the university, with the explicit wish to make it possible for more young people with financial challenges to attend college. In their words about what they hope to accomplish:

“Simply this: Allow someone to go to school. That is a most basic of human needs for many young high school grads who deeply desire college but cannot see any way to make it possible. We hope that in the future some students will be able to graduate [without a huge debt load] because of our gift.”

Mary and Gary’s gift in their will supports MSU’s Hilleman Scholars Program. They became interested in the Hilleman Scholars Program after learning about Maurice Hilleman’s personal story.

The Hilleman Scholars Program is named after Maurice Hilleman, a 1941 MSU graduate who is credited with saving the lives of millions through his work in vaccine development. Of the 14 vaccines commonly given to children, Hilleman developed eight. But like many young Montanans, Hilleman wasn’t sure he would even go to college. He was planning to accept a career-track job at J.C. Penney department store in Miles City when he received a scholarship to attend what was then known as Montana State College. After graduating from Montana State at the top of his class, Hilleman went on to do graduate work at the University of Chicago. Over the next 43 years, he became the world’s leading vaccinologist.

“Maurice Hilleman’s story is so local, so Montana, so much a part of our Montana fiber. He could easily have been any one of dozens of young people who left the farm, moved away and never looked back,” Mary said.

Reminiscing about her time at MSU, Mary said, “I learned to think on my feet, to speak well, to write an exemplary paper. I learned the importance of details, the best books to read, how to be a critical thinker, how to judge an idea fairly and to be open and able to accept a new thought.”

She remembers her ’72 graduation vividly. “My graduation was held in the fieldhouse and every seat seemed to be filled. Our speaker was Senator Mike Mansfield.”

Another important memory was her time teaching classes for Montana Women’s Week several summers, sharing her knowledge of Montana and local history. “I have precious memories of an amphitheater filled with women from Dutton, Lambert, Circle and a host of other small towns all telling stories about their families, farms and ranches and how their families arrived in our state,” Mary said.

Mary worked for the Bozeman School District for 30 years, and then the couple moved to California where she continued teaching at Ripon High School and Modesto Junior College. They currently split their time between California and Montana, and they have stayed connected to Montana State over the years.

In choosing to include MSU in their will — by designating a percentage of their estate to the Montana State University Alumni Foundation — they hope to create a brighter future for their university and the students who will have their lives changed there. Just like Mary’s and Gary’s were.

“MSU was wonderful for us. We want what we received to continue and to spread.”