Kathryn K. Ries “Never Too Late” Memorial Scholarships

Kathryn Eileen Kelly Ries (Feb. 26, 1949 — May 9, 2017) was a non-traditional student who earned her BS in Accounting from Montana State University Billings in 1996.

Katy entered the workforce immediately following graduation from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1967. Her first years of work were not particularly kind to her. It seemed wherever she worked was either incorporated into a larger company or her position relocated – an experience that compelled Katy to expand her skills though higher education. Class by class, she worked her way through the College of Business accounting program while holding a job, enduring breast cancer, and caring for her family and home.

Kathryn’s last 14 years of employment were with Diversified Transfer and Storage, working with driver payroll. In 2016, she retired. On May 9, 2017, Kathryn passed peacefully at St. Vincent Healthcare, ending her fight against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Created by her husband, Jerome L. Ries, the Kathryn K. Ries “Never Too Late” Memorial Scholarships were established in 2018 to encourage students like Katy: College of Business students who may be enrolling for the first time, finishing a long-delayed degree, or re-training into another industry. The first award was given in academic year 2019-2020.