Blue & Gold Awards

2025 awardees

By MSU Alumni Foundation

August 25^th, 2025

The Blue and Gold Award is the most prestigious award granted by Montana State University. It honors individuals who have rendered great lifetime service or brought national or international distinction to MSU or the state of Montana. The awardees will be honored during Montana State University’s 2025 homecoming festivities.

Richard “Dick” Harte ’70

Dick Harte, along with Larry Aasheim ’69, started Universal Athletic out of the back of a car in 1971, with a dream of providing Montana’s young athletes with high-quality, specialty sporting goods. Today, Universal Athletic has become the largest independent team dealer in the country, operating in 12+ U.S. states. Dick is the owner/partner of numerous other companies, including AROD Management, Land Holding Company, Skeeter LLC and Jackpot Casino.

Jake Jabs ’52

A self-taught businessman from rural Montana, Jake Jabs is the CEO of American Furniture Warehouse. Under his leadership AFW became one of the top retail furniture companies in the U.S. and one of the largest privately-held businesses in Colorado. Jake previously served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and is an active philanthropist, serving many non-profit organizations especially in his communities of Montana and Colorado.

Cory ’82 & Diane (Knapp) ’83 Pulfrey

Cory Pulfrey is a partner, portfolio manager, and one of the founders of Cloverlay Investment Management LLC. Cory served as a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners and also with the Weyerhaeuser Company Pension Fund Group. Diane Pulfrey’s professional background includes significant contributions to community and philanthropic efforts, particularly in education, animal welfare and support of Montana youth. She currently serves on the advisory board for the MSU College of Education, Health and Human Development.

Flint Rasmussen

Flint Rasmussen is an American former professional rodeo barrelman — one of the most famous barrelman in the history of bull riding. A former high school coach, math and history teacher, he had a long career with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), earning the title of PRCA Clown of the Year for eight consecutive years.