History & Traditions
January 18, 2022 2026-10-13 19:30HISTORY AND TRADITIONS
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Montana’s First. Montana’s Finest.
Rocky Mountain College’s story is really the story of Montana’s earliest colleges coming together to create something enduring.
It began in 1878 with Montana Collegiate Institute in Deer Lodge, the first institution of higher learning in the state. Soon after, Wesleyan College opened in Helena. At the turn of the century, Billings Polytechnic Institute (BPI) started recruiting students from across the country to a windswept piece of farmland on the edge of Billings.
In 1947, these three schools united as one institution. Billings Polytechnic Institute became Rocky Mountain College, Montana’s first and finest.
From the beginning, our students have been builders and leaders, not just attendees. In 1947, it was the students who petitioned to rename BPI to Rocky Mountain College. They didn’t stop there: to accelerate the College’s growth, students literally helped construct new campus buildings, quarrying sandstone from the Rimrocks and raising a campus out of surrounding farmland that would become one of the top-rated colleges in the West.
Today’s RMC students are not so different from those early pioneers. They still come here to lead, to serve, and to shape what comes next, for the College, for Montana, and for communities far beyond.
Campus Built by Students, Shaped by Community
RMC’s campus is a mix of historic sandstone halls, many literally built by students, and modern facilities designed for 21st‑century learning and research. Together they tell the story of a college where students have always had a hand in building the future.
Rocky Mountain College Church Relations
Rocky Mountain College is historically related to the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church (USA), denominations known for their commitment to learning, religious tolerance, free inquiry, and values such as service, community, and character.
These church-related roots shaped our mission and still influence the way we educate. RMC prepares future leaders through liberal arts and professional programs that cultivate:
- Critical thinking
- Creative expression
- Ethical decision-making
- Informed citizenship
- Professional excellence
We also believe in educating the whole person. Students find opportunities to grow intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, both on campus and through connections in the local and global community. Learn more about RMC spiritual life.
We celebrate our church-related heritage while welcoming all faith traditions. The spirituality, convictions, and questions of every student are respected here.
Eaton Hall
Opened in 1909 as the “Science Hall,” Eaton Hall was a gift from local businessmen who helped found Billings Polytechnic Institute. Today it’s home to key administrative offices such as student records, academic computing, institutional advancement, and the business office.
Technology Hall
Originally known as the “School of Technology,” Tech Hall opened in 1922 and still buzzes with creative and technical work. It houses computer science labs, art faculty offices, studios for metalworking, clay, painting, and drawing, the Ryniker-Morrison Gallery, and the facility services department.
Tyler Hall
Built in the “Collegiate Gothic” style and completed in 1930, Tyler Hall was originally a residence hall funded in memory of W. Graham Tyler, a supporter of BPI scholarships. Today, the sandstone building houses the education program, classrooms, and faculty offices.
Alden Hall
Funded in part by the Alden Trust of Worcester, Massachusetts, Alden Hall was completed in 1937 as a men’s residence hall. It was the last major building constructed on campus until the library rose in 1959. Today, Alden Hall houses faculty offices and classrooms, continuing its role at the academic heart of campus.
Paul M. Adams Library & DeRosier Educational Resource Center
The Paul M. Adams Library, completed in 1959 and named for a long‑serving professor at Intermountain Union College, anchors academic life at RMC. In 1998, the DeRosier Educational Resource Center expansion added computer labs and distance learning facilities, creating a modern hub for research, collaboration, and study.
Fortin Education Center
Named for local philanthropist Phillip N. Fortin, this 1969 addition expanded RMC’s campus footprint by more than 50 percent. Inside, you’ll find academic programs, an arena, auxiliary exercise areas, a swimming pool, a large lecture hall, classrooms, laboratories, and faculty offices.
Dr. Charles Morledge Science Building
Completed in 2018, the Morledge Science Building is one of the most advanced laboratory facilities in the region. It offers state-of-the-art research and teaching spaces across the natural sciences. The third floor houses the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program, including a home environment lab, simulation spaces, and dedicated student study areas.
Conner Hall
Purchased in 2020 and named in honor of Rev. Cloyd and Mrs. Pearl Conner for their service and advocacy on behalf of RMC, Conner Hall at 2411 Village Lane houses the Physician Assistant Studies program. Its 8,400 square feet include:
- A lecture hall and conference room
- Eight medical exam rooms and lab spaces
- An ER training laboratory
- A student lounge
- Faculty and administrative offices
Student Life & Community Spaces
Bair Family Student Center
The Bair Family Student Center is the social heart of campus. Originally built in 1960 and expanded to 30,000 square feet through renovations in 1985 and 1995, it is named for the Charles M. Bair Family Trust created after the death of philanthropist Alberta Bair. Inside, students find:
- Dining services (cafeteria and the Bear’s Den coffeeshop)
- A student lounge
- The RMC bookstore and mailroom
- Outdoor Recreation and Student Activities offices
- Administrative offices
Solar panels on the roof provide more than 13kW of power, with a touchscreen display that lets students track energy output. Just south of the building stands a 13‑foot metal bear sculpture by Lyndon Pomeroy, sponsored by Hoiness LaBar Insurance, Ossie Abrams, and David Orser, a campus landmark and favorite photo spot.
Residence Halls
Anderson Hall
Completed in 1970 after input from a 1969 business management class, Anderson Hall is named for Lula Jellison Anderson, a 1911 graduate of BPI’s first class. The 20,000‑square‑foot hall houses 82 students and a residence hall director and was remodeled in 1998.
Jorgenson Hall
Dedicated in 1964, Jorgenson Hall was once RMC’s newest men’s residence hall, housing 156 students. In 1988 it was transformed into 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments with kitchens and private baths. Today it offers apartment‑style housing for juniors, seniors, and students 21 and older.
Rimview Hall
Completed in 2004, Rimview Hall is RMC’s newest residence hall. Its 50 four‑person suites primarily house sophomores, juniors, and seniors, offering a modern living environment that still reflects the historic character of campus.
Widenhouse Hall
Built in 1971 and named for former RMC president Rev. Phillip M. Widenhouse (president from 1958 to 1966), Widenhouse Hall continues the tradition of student‑centered residential life on campus.
Historic Landmarks & Campus Stories
Losekamp Hall
Dedicated during commencement week in 1919, Losekamp Hall is one of RMC’s most storied buildings. Campus legend insists the building is haunted by John Losekamp and his wife, despite the fact that Losekamp never married and died before construction was complete. The building’s actual history may be less eerie, but just as memorable in the daily life of students who study and perform there.
Prescott Commons
Built in 1916 and named for Amos Prescott, a supporter of Billings Polytechnic Institute, Prescott Commons stands as a testament to student initiative. Constructed largely with student labor using sandstone from the school quarry, it has served many roles:
- Dining hall, including meals for over 300 Italian and German prisoners of war housed on campus in late 1944
- Cannery and granary in the basement, where the Green and Gold Milling Company began in 1932
- Workplace for students who earned money for their education by making flour and Green and Gold Cereal sold throughout Montana and Wyoming
