BOZEMAN - A couple who met and married at Montana State University and each served the institution in public-facing roles for decades will receive a joint honorary doctorate of humane letters degree from MSU during the university's spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 8, at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

Today, the Montana Board of Regents approved the honorary degree for Rolf Stigum Groseth, who held prominent administrative positions at three of MSU's campuses during his 37-year career in Montana higher education, and alumna Jaynee Drange Groseth, whose service to the university included directing the Office of Admissions and serving as the longtime director of the MSU Alumni Association. Honorary doctorates are the university's highest form of commendation, conferred upon individuals who have excelled and made outstanding contributions to society.

Jaynee Groseth grew up in Billings and came to Bozeman as a freshman at MSU in 1969. After graduating in 1973, she spent two years as a traveling executive for Kappa Delta sorority. She went on to work in the MSU Office of Admissions for 17 years as assistant director and then director. In 1992, she was named executive director of the Alumni Association; she assumed the role of Alumni Association president in 2008 and served in that capacity through the 2012 formation of the MSU Alumni Foundation, retiring in 2013.

Over the course of her career, Jaynee Groseth developed new initiatives, preserved MSU traditions and enticed countless students and alumni to connect with MSU. She is responsible for many innovations that are part of the university fabric today, including developing a new orientation program for students and parents; what is now the MSU Spirit Squad; and the AdvoCats student tour guides that help with student recruitment. She also helped found the Presidential American Indian Alumni Brunch that is held during the annual MSU American Indian Council Powwow.

Rolf Groseth grew up in Hinsdale, Illinois, and graduated from Michigan State University, where he was an All-America swimmer. After serving in the Army in Vietnam, he earned a master's degree from Iowa State University and then a doctorate in higher education management at the University of Florida, where he was recruited to lead programs assisting Vietnam veterans. He began his career at MSU in 1977, holding many positions over the next 37 years, including dean of students, vice provost, MSU system coordinator, vice president for intercampus affairs, interim chancellor of MSU Northern and chancellor of MSU Billings.

During Chancellor Groseth's tenure, MSU Billings was awarded $10 million by the Montana Legislature to expand and renovate teaching and research facilities for science and allied health on campus. He also aided in completing the Opportunity Campaign, which raised more than $7 million for student scholarships. Rolf Groseth worked on behalf of Montana's two-year institutions, culminating in 2012 with the launch of City College at MSU Billings, which provides a wide range of two-year degrees and certificate programs. Though he retired in 2014, he returned to MSU Billings in 2020 to serve one year as interim chancellor.

Throughout their years at MSU, the Groseths supported numerous campus and community organizations, including fraternities and sororities, the Spirit of the West marching band, and Christus Collegium. In addition to their contributions to the university, they actively engaged in civic stewardship to the community and the state of Montana.

Jaynee Groseth founded the Montana Post Secondary Education Opportunities Council, a nonprofit that promotes opportunities in higher education to students, parents and guidance counselors across Montana. She was active in various community groups in Bozeman, including the Chamber of Commerce, New Genesis musical group and Greater Gallatin United Way. Rolf Groseth was involved with the Bozeman Film Festival, church councils, Friends of Montana PBS and Leadership Montana, a statewide leadership development organization.

Together, the Groseths provided leadership to promote community organizations and events including the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts, Christmas Stroll, Taste of Bozeman, Lutheran ministry and Rotary. The Groseths also established scholarship endowments at both MSU in Bozeman and MSU Billings.

In a letter nominating the couple for the honorary degree, Matt Caires, MSU dean of students, and Dorothy Bradley, former Montana legislator and past director of the Montana Water Center at MSU, characterized the Groseths as "two of the cornerstones that have built the foundation of what Montana State University is today.

"We have known them throughout their careers and have never seen two people - a couple - with greater dedication, lifelong commitment and affection for Montana State University," the letter states. "Their service to the community and state has been filled with energy, creativity, having an eagle eye for problem solving, and spreading goodwill and inclusiveness everywhere."

The letter continues, "Together, Jaynee and Rolf have quietly distinguished themselves time after time leading by example, improving the lives of students, parents, faculty and staff, serving and creating organizations and events, and building lasting friendships for MSU along the way."