Connie Landis Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Connie Landis was truly a one of a kind with a genuine heart, a listening ear, a gentle touch, and an encouraging voice who provided an artist’s perspective to those in her life. She had an infectious laugh, a wicked sense of humor, and an adventurous spirit. Connie had a passion for all things art – art for everyone at any level and at any ability. To this passion Connie devoted her life, first teaching as a roving elementary art teacher in Wisconsin, then moving to Billings, Montana, where she taught high school art at Billings West High School. In 1978, Connie became a professor at Eastern Montana College (now MSU Billings) teaching both in the art and education departments. At 44 she earned a Ph.D. in art education at the University of Wisconsin which prepared her to teach future elementary teachers and art majors how to teach art. Her passion was then magnified many times. In the classroom Dr. Landis insisted on projects relevant to the young teacher’s needs. She also insisted that written work must not only have content but also be grammatically correct. She mixed her high expectation with a good deal of fun, believing learning goes best when one can enjoy the experience. Connie pushed her students to be their best, to be the best art students and to carry the touch of art education at all levels. Her students would say they learned a lot, laughed a lot, and enjoyed Connie’s selection of crazy socks. Across the years, Connie positively touched the lives of so many – the students she was honored to teach, the teachers she was privileged to mentor, the friends she treasured and the family she loved. Connie taught at MSU Billings for 36 years and in August 2015 passed away from cancer. In memory of Connie and her passion and support of those in the arts, her husband, Bob, established the Connie Landis Memorial Scholarship Endowment at MSU Billings to provide financial assistance to art and elementary education majors for years to come. The first scholarship was awarded for academic year 2016-2017.
Impact
“I am writing to give my most humble thanks for your generosity in providing the Connie Landis Memorial Endowed Scholarship. I am currently a single mom to a wonderful little boy in kindergarten. I graduated high school in 1998, attended two years of college, left college before receiving a degree, and moved to Florida to work. I had intended on returning to school within a year, but that year turned into ten years. I divorced from my husband and decided to move back to Montana to be with family. With my two-year-old son in tow, I knew I needed to return to college and gain my teaching certificate so I could provide for my son and show him that no matter what cards get dealt to you in life, you had the power to play them as you saw fit. I am double majoring in Art Education and Special Education so I can help others achieve their potential and see that anything in life is possible with a little hard work. Again, I thank you so much for the scholarship and giving me a chance to continue my education.” — Kari T., Art Education and Special Education major