Cech Named Dean of the MSU-Billings College of Technology

Following a nationwide search, John Cech has been named Dean of
the Montana State University-Billings College of Technology. He is
currently Dean of the Community Services Outreach Division at Rocky
Mountain College in Billings.

"John has a proven track record of having built a successful program at
Rocky Mountain College and is a good match for the vision and initiatives
the University has established for the College of Technology," stated Dr.
Janie Park, Provost and Academic Vice Chancellor at MSU-Billings in
announcing Cech’s appointment. "He has built solid partnerships with the
community and beyond, has a high energy level, is very articulate, is a
‘can do’ person and is highly respected by all."
Cech will assume his new responsibilities June 17, 2002 following the
retirement of Bob Carr, current Dean of the College of Technology.

Carr
will continue working for MSU-Billings as part of a post-retirement
agreement.
"I am truly honored to return to my alma mater as the Dean of the College
of Technology at MSU-Billings," Cech stated. "The College of Technology at
MSU-Billings has incredible potential for expansion and growth in many new
areas, and I am excited to work with the faculty and staff there and
throughout the University to make that happen.

The College of Technology
will play a central and vital role in the expansion of the economy of
Billings and the region in the years to come and I look forward to being
part of that. My 15 years at Rocky Mountain College have been tremendously
rewarding and the opportunity to work with President DeRosier, and so many
outstanding colleagues and friends, has been a real privilege.

I am
confident that the College’s next 15 years will be equally exciting, and I
hope there may be
opportunities to partner with Rocky in my new role."

"We had a very strong candidate pool for the Dean’s position at the College
of Technology as a result of our nation wide search," stated Park. "I have
every confidence that John will continue the work begun by Dean Carr in
providing the leadership necessary to carry out and build upon the vision
and mission of the College of Technology."

Cech joined Rocky Mountain College as a faculty member in the Computer
Applications and Science Department in January 1987, where he taught until
May 24, 1989, when he then was appointed Director of Community Services,
Continuing Education and Summer Sessions. In 1994, Cech was promoted to
Dean of the division.
In 1996, he was appointed to the International Marketing Committee of
Elderhostel, International. In 1998, when Elderhostel reorganized its
national structure, he was appointed to and continues to serve, as a member
of the Western United States Advisory Committee, which includes the states
of Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming.

As a member of the National Association of Summer Sessions, Cech served as
chairman of the Creative and Innovative Awards Committee in 1996; and, in
1999, won the NASS prestigious "Most Innovative Non-Credit Programming
Award" for the children’s summer camp "How Things Work," in a competition
that included over 500 entrants from colleges and universities in the U.S.,
Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Cech was appointed as a charter member of the Educational of WYNCOM, Inc., a Fortune 500 company that produces and distributes
international professional and business education programming, and served
on that board from 1996-98.

In addition to expanding RMC’s Elderhostel offerings to the "Supersite"
level, offering award-winning educational youth programming, expanding
adult and lifelong learning coursework and certificate programs, Cech has
developed conferences and professional education programs that are
applauded, statewide. In March 2000, he received the Director’s Excellence
Award for Distinguished Service from the Vice Provost and Dean of
Extension at Montana State University-Bozeman, for Cech’s leadership in
developing the statewide agricultural conference "January Thaw."

In addition to his work with MSU-Bozeman, he has forged partnerships with
"The Billings Gazette," St. Vincent Health Care, Deaconess Billings Clinic,
the University of Pennsylvania, Kent State, Boise State University, the
University of Montana, and MSU-Billings to bring expanded educational
opportunities to the Billings area. Cech has served the Billings community
as a member of the board of directors of Billings Rotary Club; a member of
the board and program chairman for the Institute for Peace Studies at RMC;
a member of the Yellowstone Art Museum’s marketing advisory committee; a
member of the Billings sports committee; a member of the board of the
Greater Rose Park After-School Program; and as RMC’s representative as a
member of the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

Cech earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and
Information Systems from MSU-Billings, and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit
Management from Regis University, in Denver, Colo.

By Ken Woosley (406) 657-2266 For more information:
ABCD/2002 Dr. Janie Park, Provost and Academic Vice Chancellor
(406) 657-2367
Mr. John Cech, Rocky Mountain College
(406) 670-0848