Elma Epstein Endowed Scholarship
Elma (Rautio) Epstein, a 1932 graduate of Eastern Montana Normal School (now MSU Billings), was a true Montana pioneer. Elma’s education was just beginning when she graduated in 1932. Following her marriage to Larry Epstein in 1936, she settled in Glacier County and began a long, adventurous teaching career. Her life was dedicated to educating children, as she taught for many years in the rural schools of northern Glacier County and later at the Anna Jefferson Elementary School in Cut Bank until her retirement in 1975. Through her will, Elma left bequests to numerous charities in Glacier County and across Montana including one to her alma mater, MSU Billings. Elma made this bequest because she treasured her education and her experiences at Eastern Montana Normal School. Even though she passed away in January 2002, Elma’s legacy remains. Through her bequest, the Elma Epstein Endowed Scholarship was established to insure that deserving MSU Billings students would have treasured educational experiences, much like Elma had many years ago. The first scholarship was awarded in academic year 2004-2005.
Impact
“As the recipient of the Elma Epstein Endowed Scholarship, I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your gracious contribution. I come from a family of four and our income is not high enough for two students that will both be in college next year. My parent’s work extremely hard for what we have; however, with another younger daughter going to college and other bills to pay, there is no way they would be able to help me out as much as they’d like. By giving me this opportunity, you’ve opened up doors for me throughout my education and I hope one day I can help the community as your great Aunt has in the past. I want to thank you and your family for helping me pursue my dreams and becoming a very successful person in Montana communities.” — Katlyn S., History Education major