MISSOULA, MONTANA: Montana Campus Compact (MTCC), a seventeen-campus higher education network that includes Miles Community College (MCC), recognized 12 Montana college and university students with the Montana Student Volunteer Award, including Kryton Gackle of Miles City. These students were honored by the Governor’s Office of Community Service and the MTCC board for their volunteer work and time invested in their communities.
Gackle graduated from MCC this spring with Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, receiving both valedictorian and honor graduate accolades, and earned the 2023 Outstanding Graduate Award in the General Education Division. He was also a member of the MCC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society.
During his time at MCC, Gackle was the elected Historian in the MCC Student Senate and developed a process for student clubs and organizations to document service activities to continue the program quality through maintaining traditions and improving events and activities. He served as the Chair of the Pioneer Pantry, an on-campus resource providing food and toiletries to students at no cost, where he spent considerable time collecting food and stocking shelves. Gackle was also active in assisting with the Fall Carnival at the college, an annual Halloween event that brings 600 community children to campus every October.
Gackle also spent time as a tutor in the MCC Learning Center and was president of the Tabletop Gaming Club on campus. He regularly attended campus events and participated in student-hosted activities such as Trivia Night.
“Kryton represents student success,” stated Richard DeShields, MCC Dean of Student Engagement and Auxiliary Services. “Not only is he an excellent student, but he gives back to the campus and to the community.”
The Montana Student Volunteer Award was created to honor Montana’s civically engaged college students. MTCC affiliate campuses, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Community Service, recognize college students across the state who have demonstrated service to their communities while pursuing college degrees or certificates. Each school organizes committees, seeks nominations from across their campus, and selects the student who most meets the award criteria.
“Montana’s college students contribute meaningful service that makes a difference in our communities and adds value to their education,” says Sarah R. Sadowski, Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Service. “These students are glimmering lights in our bright future; each one is well deserving of a Student Volunteer Award.”
This year, the student volunteer award recipients were recognized by their schools during a virtual ceremony and received a certificate signed by Governor Gianforte and their college president.
For more information on the Montana Campus Compact awards and scholarships, please visit www.mtcompact.org.
