Each Homecoming, the University of Montana Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. University alumni and friends are invited to nominate, on an individual basis, a graduate or former student for this award.
Recipients of the award are individuals who have distinguished themselves in a particular field and who have brought honor to the University, the state or the nation. The University of Montana Alumni Association Board of Directors Awards Committee focuses on career achievement, professional honors, professional membership/directorship, community service and UM or UMAA recognition or service in selecting recipients. Read more about the criteria and nominating procedures.
For questions, contact Jodi Moreau by phone 877-UM-ALUMS or email jodi.moreau@umontana.edu.
The UM Alumni Association strongly encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of our alumni.
2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Dr. Kenneth Beattie, '66
Dr. Ken Beattie is a pioneering scientist in the fields of microbiology and biotechnology. Growing up in Montana, he was first inspired to become a scientist when he visited the Rocky Mountain Lab in Hamilton as a high school student. He studied bacteriology at UM, earning a bachelor's degree in 1966. He went on to earn a master's in microbiology and a PhD form the University of Tennessee. Dr. Beattie is a leader in the scientific community, with several influential publications and contributions to laboratory techniques and research.
Kaye Ebelt, '84
Kaye Ebelt is a distinguished educator with nearly 40 years of service as a teacher. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from UM, as well as a master's in science education and a master's in education later in her career. Ebelt taught elementary students in St. Regis, Chester and Missoula before accepting a position at the prestigious Greene School in Florida, where teachers are encouraged to implement innovative methods. Ebelt is also a commercial glider pilot and is working to be a certified flight instructor.
Dr. Paul Maykish, ‘92
Dr. Paul Maykish dedicated his career to serving his country, reaching the rank of Colonel after decades of military service. Maykish holds a degree in resource management form UM, degrees from Yale University and the National War College, as well as a PhD from Air University. Maykish was deployed 11 times, and spent his time back in the U.S. volunteering for homeless and imprisoned populations. He has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit medal. Currently, he serves as a Senior Advisor to the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), an organization focused on ensuring America's leadership in technologies like artificial general intelligence.
Pamela Wright, '87
Pamela Wright earned her English degree from UM in 1987. After a decade as a researcher for a private firm in Missoula, Wright took a position at the National Archives, working in initial processing and declassification. In 2012, she became the first Chief Innovation Officer at the National Archives and Records Administration. She oversaw digitization of the archives' vast store of documents, photographs and artifacts, and helped make millions of records accessible to the public. She has the Archivist Achievement Award several times and was the first National Archives employee to be awarded Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award.