David and Roxanne Spildie Warne
David and Roxanne Spildie Warne are both graduates of Eastern Montana College (now MSU Billings) whose ties to the University run deep. Dave’s father, Dr. Earl K. Warne, was a long-term faculty member in the Department of Education. Dr. Warne, Professor Emeritus, retired in 1985 after 28 years of outstanding service at Eastern Montana College. In addition, Dave’s mother, Harriet, and Roxie’s mother, Shirley, graduated from EMC with degrees in education. Dave graduated from EMC in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in mathematics. He taught English and coached competitive speech for eight years at both Billings West and Senior High. After he left teaching, Dave worked for a chemical distribution company in Billings. Roxie earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from EMC in 1980. For over 20 years, Roxie taught students in special education and elementary classrooms in Billings School District #2. The Warnes intend to maintain their University ties during their lifetime and beyond.
In 2000, Dave and Roxie established the Spildie/Warne Family Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance to deserving MSU Billings students. The first scholarships were awarded in academic year 2005-2006.
Impact
“I would like to thank you for your generosity in supporting my college career with the Spildie/Warne Family Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship will provide me with the necessary financial aid needed in order to graduate as an English and Elementary Education major. A double major such as this will make me very marketable, but the added costs of another year and a half will be greatly assisted with this scholarship. Thank you for your assistance in helping me achieve my goal. I know I will be a great teacher one day.” — Kailee B., Elementary Education and English major with a teaching option