Every Journey Starts with a First Step
When Dan and Kay Berry met in 1971, they couldn't foresee the impact they'd make in students' lives over the next four decades. Their commitment to MSU Billings started early, and resulted in a lifetime dedicated to advancing education.
While their first steps toward supporting students were small, Dan and Kay's philanthropy continues to grow. In 1987, Kay made her first gift through Phon-a-thon as a graduate, contacted by a current student requesting scholarship donations. Reflecting on the support she received to attend school, Kay said yes to the caller.
"I remember our first gift was $25," said Kay. "You have to start somewhere."
Embracing education
Both Kay and Dan grew up in academic atmospheres. Their mothers began their careers as rural school teachers, and Kay's father worked in school administration until his retirement.
Kay was compelled toward following in her parents' footsteps, and enrolled at Eastern Montana College to earn a degree in elementary and special education. She worked full-time while attending night classes, but a two-year scholarship geared toward older students returning to college allowed her to focus on classes.
"I always have said I was a nontraditional student before the term had been coined," Kay said.
Her experience at EMC translated to Kay's career teaching in Billings School District 2 for more than 30 years.
"I found I loved working with struggling students, trying to find the connection to help them be more successful," she said.
She and Dan make annual gifts to the MSUB Foundation to help provide educational opportunities for the next generation of graduates. In 2017, they established a scholarship endowment of their own to support future educators in perpetuity.
Answering the call
In 1999, Dan and Kay volunteered at the annual Wine & Food Festival, taking tickets during the Friday night event. Kay has since co-chaired several committees, co-chaired the festival for three years, and continues to oversee the popular Private Cellar. The couple sponsors other festival events, hoping their support provides the step up MSU Billings students need to earn degrees.
"We want to ensure that area students are able to stay in school, focus on their studies, graduate, and, in turn, give back to their communities helping to educate Montana's future leaders," said Kay.
Dan and Kay encourage other alumni and educators to give to MSU Billings, too.
"Just take the first step!" said Kay. "The amount is not the object here. Every dollar made available for scholarships impacts the life of one of our students."
The couple notes that they've been able to observe the continued growth MSU Billings has consistently made over the years by staying connected.
"We hope others are as amazed at the caliber of students attending MSUB as we are," Kay said. "And when a student calls, we hope they answer the phone."
