Montana Western, University of

Marvin ‘Buz’ Cowdry, a native of Whitehall, Montana, is a 1962 graduate of Western Montana College (WMC) with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.

Cowdry was one of the pioneers of the WMC rodeo program. He won two regional bull riding titles, and finished second and fourth in bull riding at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR).

After graduation, Cowdry taught history  for 10 years at Bozeman Junior High School in Bozeman, Mont. He left education for a very successful career in real estate and construction.

Cowdry never forgot his days in Dillon and at Western. While the CNFR was held in Bozeman, Cowdry would host a Western Montana College dinner at his home outside Bozeman. He was an active supporter of the WMC rodeo program.

Cowdry served as a board member and treasurer of the NIRA for several years and was honored as their Outstanding Alumnus in 2014.

He passed away March 22, 2022. Cowdry and his wife Judy were married for 62 years.