MILES CITY, MONTANA: Miles Community College (MCC) President Ron Slinger was recently named the 2024 Harvey Wolke Award for Community Betterment by the Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Each year, the community of Miles City, under the organization of the local chamber of commerce, comes together to recognize exceptional individuals and organizations with a range of prestigious awards. These honors celebrate achievements in areas such as volunteerism, meritorious service, and contributions to the overall betterment of Miles City and neighboring areas. Past recipients have included both local businesses and individuals, each making a significant impact.
This year, Dr. Ron Slinger was honored with the prestigious Harvey Wolke Award for Community Betterment. Named for former Chamber Director Harvey Wolke, the award recognizes individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions to enhancing the local community.
“Thank you very much and thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for the award. It’s very kind,” said Slinger during his acceptance speech at the banquet. “I'm much more comfortable giving awards than receiving them because I know that all this work occurs from a group of people. I'm grateful to our amazing faculty and staff, and I'm grateful to our amazing community that supports us.”
Slinger went on to discuss the recent success that the college has seen, including record enrollment and the highest student headcount in the history of the college, spanning over 85 years.
“I know the work that we're doing is making a significant difference in Miles City and in Eastern Montana, and in, I hope, all of Montana. I hope that you're proud of your community college because we are your community college. I just want to put it on record. We're just getting started and our growth is not done. There's a lot of work to be done.
Slinger received the award during the Annual Chamber Banquet held at the Miles City Town & Country Club, where current Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce Director John Laney introduced each recipient.
“It's a great achievement to be nominated for this award,” stated Laney, as he began to speak about the Harvey Wolke Award. “And an even greater accomplishment to win it.”
Laney continued his introduction of the award by highlighting the wide range and esteemed nature of the boards and organizations Dr. Slinger actively serves on, including numerous at both the state and national levels, as well as community boards.
“With the success that MCC is seeing under his leadership, Ron and his staff have elevated Miles Community College to a level that brings students from the state and beyond. With double digit enrollment raises and programs that offer college credits to high school students, he continues to bring a positive image to MCC and the Miles City trade area.”
In his speech, Slinger also reflected on his time living and working in Miles City.
“I was thinking about this earlier today: five years ago, this (Annual Chamber Banquet) event was the first community event that I attended...and it's not lost upon me that I came to that event. I met people, and I'm so very grateful to find a home here. Not just the job, not just the career, but this is my community, and I love it.”
“And more importantly,” Slinger said as he wrapped up his speech, “we have a great community that supports us. So, thank you so much for everything.”
