(NMB) The MSU Northern Alumni Foundation will recognize and celebrate the 2026 Founder’s Excellence award recipients on Friday night in the Student Union Building. MSU Northern Foundation Outreach coordinator Angela Allestad explains what the excellence awards represent.
“The Founders’ Excellence Awards is a prestigious recognition that celebrates individuals who have shown professional achievements, loyalty to Northern and their service which fosters the development and the growth here at Northern.”
This years recipients are Kyle Leeds, Bill Lanier and Terry Mohn (posthumously)
Founder’s Day was added as an NMC tradition in 1976 and the Founders’ Excellence Award presentation banquet has continued on a nearly annual basis for the past 50 years.
KYLE LEEDS
Kyle was born on January 11th, 1975, to David and Cyndi Leeds in Havre. Kyle attended the Havre Public School System during his K-12 years graduating from Havre High School in May 1993.
Kyle enrolled at Montana State University – Northern in the fall of 1993. While at Northern Kyle served the student body of the university in distinct roles including Freshman Senator, Senator at Large, Media Council Coordinator, Program Council Coordinator and Student Body President. Kyle was recognized with a student excellence award in 1997 for his contributions to campus. Kyle graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in marketing.
In 2003, Kyle moved back to Havre and began working as an account representative at New Media Broadcasters where he still works today. Moving back to his hometown, Kyle has given back to Havre in a variety of ways. He spent many years on the United Way of Hill County Board of Directors. Kyle has been a member of the Friends and Alumni Committee of the MSU-Northern Foundation for over a decade. Giving back to the community, veterans, and area youth as a 13-year member of Havre Elks Lodge #1201. Kyle served three years as the Exalted Ruler of the lodge, the highest officer rank in a local Elks lodge. Kyle continues to serve the Elks as the lodge Esquire and as a volunteer at the local, state, and national levels of the organization. Kyle also has worked for over two decades in the MSU-Northern Athletic Department as the public address announcer for Football, Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball and Wrestling.
Education of our youth is important to Kyle, as his mother Cindy was a teacher and reading coach at many K-12 schools across North Central Montana before her retirement. Kyle has served on the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation for over a decade. In the past Kyle has served as Chairman of the Board for the HPSEF and currently serves in the role of Interim Chairman for the organization.
Kyle has also volunteered for many community organizations in various roles to continue giving back to the Havre community. Examples include working in the MSU-Northern Scone Booth, MSU-Northern Viking Booth, and Havre Youth Baseball Association Beer Gardens during the Great Northern Fair. For the last two years Kyle has volunteered to be the announcer for the Havre Chamber of Commerce’s Bear Paw Marathon and will fill that role again in 2026.
BILL LANIER
Born in Great Falls, Montana, Lanier graduated from Great Falls High School in 1982. He then attended Northern Montana College and received an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees from Northern Montana. After attending Northern, he worked here for more than 20 years as the Director of Residence Life, Director of Student Life, and Assistant Dean of Students. Lanier also worked for Blaine County in the Clerk & Recorder’s Office, Hill County as the Director of the Hill County Senior Center, the State of Montana as a Workforce Consultant in the Job Service-Havre office, and is currently a Hill County Commissioner.
Lanier, an Eagle Scout himself, has been involved with the Scouting program for more than 30 years as a scout and as a leader. He is currently a Life Time member of the National Eagle Scout Association. Other activities Lanier is currently involved with include: Bullhook Community Health Center Board of Directors, Havre Dog Park Board, Northern Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, the Hi-Line District Board of the Scouting America program, the Havre Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is the author of the NNN TidBits in the Northern Network News.
Previously, Lanier has been affiliated with the Northern Alumni Association, the HELP Committee, the Havre Crime Stoppers Board, the Havre Suicide Awareness Council, the Havre Eagles Club, and Havre Youth Baseball.
While a student at Northern Lanier, he received the Student Excellence Award, and as a staff member, he received the Golden “N” Award.
TERRY MOHN (Posthumously)
The MSU-Northern Foundation is proud to recognize Terry L. Mohn of Scobey, Montana, as a recipient of this year’s Founder’s Excellence Award. Through a remarkable and generous estate gift of $1.85 million, Terry’s legacy will have a lasting and transformational impact on MSU-Northern and its students.
Although Terry was not an alumnus of MSU-Northern, he held a deep appreciation for the university and its role in preparing skilled, workforce-ready graduates. His connection to Northern was strengthened through his close friendship with Willard and Bonnie Fladager, as well as his firsthand experience hiring Northern graduates and witnessing their strong work ethic and capabilities.
Terry’s gift reflects his belief in the value of education, particularly in agriculture and diesel technology fields that are vital to Montana’s economy. A portion of his estate has established a scholarship endowment that will provide approximately $30,000 annually to students pursuing degrees in diesel or agriculture, with preference given to students from Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley counties. His support will expand opportunities for generations of students, especially those from rural communities similar to the one he called home.
In addition to supporting scholarships, Terry’s generosity will also contribute to renovations of Morgan Hall, enhancing the living environment for MSU-Northern students and strengthening the overall campus experience.
Terry L. Mohn’s legacy is one of quiet generosity, belief in hard work, and a commitment to supporting future generations. His vision and investment in MSU-Northern will continue to shape lives and communities for years to come.
