Iola “Olie,” Else has been involved with the Equine and Natural Horsemanship Program since its inception and first classes in 2000. Else served as UMW’s Rodeo Coach and Faculty Advisor for over thirty years and was named the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Coach of the year in 2004 and 2018. Olie is the only woman that has ever won the award. Under Else’s direction, UMW was a national rodeo power and had seven National Champions and many top ten finishes at the College National Finals. Montana Western Rodeo was a Big Sky Region power. Else retired from her coaching duties in 2018, but continues to teach in the Equine Program and serves as Department Chair. Olie is the campus liaison for the MCH and La Cense Montana. Else meets with new recruits and is the primary advisor for Natural Horsemanship students. Olie teaches the Introduction to Equine Studies class, Herd Behavior, and oversees the student internships and theses. She was inducted in the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame in 2018 and was inducted into the 2019 Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. Olie is the faculty advisor for Young Farmers and Ranchers and her club is a recipient of the Presidential Award. She is passionate about agriculture and raises cattle and horses.
Megan is a 2010 graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2010, she joined a primarily equine veterinary practice in Corvallis, MT and worked as an Associate Veterinarian in the practice for 5 years. Megan moved to the Dillon area in the fall of 2015 to take a position at the University of Montana Western as an Assistant Professor of Equine Studies. She is honored for the opportunity to be part of Montana Western’s equine education program and bring practical experience to the students.
