Julie L. Coleman College of Business Endowed Scholarship

From her start as a young Jewish girl in Chicago, Illinois, to her retirement as one of Montana’s most successful stock brokers, Julie Coleman’s life charted an up-and-down course. With intelligence, determination, and chutzpah, Julie risked failure and rejection time and again to reach her goals. A gifted student, she graduated from high school at age 16 and entered college to study journalism. Over the years, Julie switched careers from journalism to teaching. In 1980, Julie decided it was time for another career change. She gave herself some assessment tests. Investing was high on her list and she was determined to become a stockbroker. Julie took her application to Dean Witter and they offered her a job, but wanted to know how she would feel working with the firm’s other brokers — all men — with an average age of 28. Julie wasn’t intimidated. She thought most people would prefer getting advice from someone older than 28. Within four months, Julie passed her licensing test and became the second woman registered as a stock broker in Montana. Julie was very successful very quickly — eventually becoming a first vice president at Dean Witter, with clients in 39 states and three foreign countries. She also built an impressive list of accomplishments and community service, serving on a wide variety of community organizations. Of all her accomplishments, Julie said she was most proud that she had some part in helping women be able to fulfill their potential. In 1998, Julie established a unitrust, listing MSU Billings Foundation as the beneficiary. Upon her death, the endowment was to provide scholarships for academically talented business students. “I’ve been asked if it’s not elitist to set up a scholarship for top students, but I think this is a minority of people who needs to be encouraged. They are the ones who will create the jobs and industries of the future. I believe the future of our society rests on their shoulders.” Julie passed away in July 2015 at the age of 88. She was an inspiration to all that knew her and her legacy will live on forever. The first scholarship was awarded in academic year 2015-2016.