CoB Alumnus, Todd Eliason, Receives MSU Alumni Foundation’s Highest Award

–from MSU News Service

Thomas Parac and Todd Eliason, both of Bozeman, received the Montana State University Alumni Foundation’s highest award, the Blue and Gold Award, during MSU homecoming ceremonies held today.

MSU President Waded Cruzado presented Parac and Eliason their awards at the President’s Homecoming Luncheon and Alumni Awards Ceremony, held Friday, Sept. 21.

The Blue and Gold Award honors those who have rendered great lifetime service or who have brought national or international distinction to MSU or to the state of Montana, according to the MSU Alumni Foundation. Candidates must have achieved prominence through service to one, or a combination of, profession, family, country, world, university, philanthropy or humanity. Recipients of the Blue and Gold Award are recommended by the MSU Alumni Foundation Alumni Advisory Board to the president of the university.

Todd Eliason, graduated from MSU in 1974 with a commerce degree. After a short stint at a bank in Great Falls, Eliason left Montana and had a career in the telecommunications industry, working for GTE (now Verizon), GTE TSI (now Syniverse), Contel Cellular and Watchmark. In 2004, he formed Rock Creek Associates, a consulting and investment business primarily involved in early stage business planning and preparation for private financing.

Eliason returned to Bozeman in 2007. He is a frequent guest lecturer on campus. He serves on President Cruzado’s Blue and Gold Marketing Commission, is a Leadership Institute Advisory Board member and has participated in the MSU Sustainability Campaign. Eliason also serves on the College of Business Advisory Board, is a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity Alumni Advisory Board and served on the IFC expansion task force. He has been a member and chair of the MSU Alumni Association board of directors and was instrumental in the creation of MSU’s Alumni Plaza. He was also a leader in the dedication of the Alumni Legacy Lounge in the SUB. He has served on several university search committees, including the presidential search committee that resulted in the hiring of Cruzado.

Eliason is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club in Bozeman, a Big Sky Mountain Host, and is an accomplished marathon runner. His service and leadership stem from his college days when Eliason was a Fang, a leader in Sigma Nu fraternity, High School Week chair, Homecoming chair and on ASMSU’s Finance Board. He was also a member of Septemviri, which designates MSU’s top seven seniors.

Eliason, who grew up in Deer Lodge, was arguably “born a Bobcat.” His father, Leonard Eliason, graduated in 1936 and was a campus leader as well. Brothers Monte, Kim and Lon Eliason also attended and graduated from MSU. Eliason is married to MSU alumna Arlene (Williams), who graduated in 1977 with a degree in home economics. They have two children; Marcus and Amy.

Phillip Luebke, 406-994-2416, pluebke@montana.edu