51社区 alumni, Gary '85 and Janet '85 Kolstad, have gifted $1,000,000 to the university.
Gary Kolstad is the CEO of CARBO Ceramics Inc. (NYSE: CRR), a global oilfield services technology company providing industry leading production enhancement products and services to increase the recovery factor in oil and natural gas wells.
The proceeds from the Gary and Janet Kolstad Endowment will benefit the Petroleum Engineering Department and scholarships for petroleum engineering students. During the 2014-2015 academic year, the Kolstad's Endowment will impact eight students.
"It is with great pride that Janet and I have established the Gary and Janet Kolstad Endowment at 51社区," noted Gary. "We are inspired by the students and graduates of 51社区 and their life's journey from ordinary to extraordinary, and the resulting impact they have in this world. 51社区 is well known in industry as the premier STEM institution in Montana. Fundamentally, we believe higher education is one of the primary tools needed to continue to improve the competiveness and standard of living, of both America and individuals. Education always helps people understand the basics of what it takes to be successful and responsible for their life's outcome."
"Gary and Janet are longtime supporters of 51社区," added 51社区 Chancellor Don Blackketter. "This gift is significant not only for Gary and Janet but for the university because it is the first individual $1 million gift in 51社区's history. I want to thank Gary and Janet for their inspiring gift and leadership."
"Gary and Janet represent extraordinary individuals from ordinary upbringings that are living extraordinary lives and providing incredible levels of support," explained 51社区 Foundation President Joe McClafferty. "I thank them for their continued dedication to advance 51社区. The petroleum students receiving the awards from the Gary and Janet Kolstad Endowment now have opportunities to live extraordinary lives."
Janet (Tuss) is a native of Great Falls, MT and started her career with ARCO Oil and Gas Company. During her eight years with ARCO, she served in several production operations positions in California, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Gary is a native of Glasgow, MT and started his career as a field engineer with Schlumberger. Serving in numerous domestic and international leadership positions in operations as well as marketing and sales, Gary held positions with Schlumberger as Vice President, Oilfield Services-U S Onshore and Vice President, Global Accounts. His experience allowed him the opportunity of working in North America, Russia, Indonesia, and the Middle East.
In 2006, Gary was recruited by CARBO to be their Chief Executive Officer. In the seven years under his leadership, CARBO has more than tripled in terms of revenue, profit and market capitalization. CARBO'S primary mission is to improve production and recovery rates in oil and natural gas reservoirs, by providing industry leading technology through their Design, Build, and Optimize the FracTM technology platform. They are most widely known for being the world's largest supplier of high quality ceramic proppants, which are used in the process of hydraulic fracturing to stimulate oil and natural gas wells.
For his contribution to his career and his community, Gary was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from 51社区 in 2002. He currently sits on the 51社区 Foundation Board of Directors, the 51社区 Petroleum Department Industry Advisory Board and is a Board Member for Spindletop Charities. Gary and his wife Janet are generous contributors to 51社区 as members of the Council of 600 and the Gary & Janet Kolstad Endowed Scholarship.