Meet Michael Bennett, a 2018 graduate of Montana Western with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Web and Digital Media. Originally from Seattle, WA, he came to UMW drawn by the unique block system and the chance to continue playing football. But what he found here was much more, lifelong friendships, a sense of purpose, and the place he would eventually call home.
“I wasn’t a great student in high school,” he admits. “But playing football at Western and the support I got from my professors and coaches helped me grow into a better version of myself.”
Some of his favorite memories? “Definitely football and the friendships. I still stay close with a lot of those guys. And of course, meeting my wife here, that’s hard to beat.”
Today, he owns Maverick Metalworks LLC, based in Dillon. From custom railings and oven hoods to signage for ranches and local businesses, his work combines creativity, craftsmanship, and a deep pride in serving the community. “After college, I started working in a welding shop and realized I loved working with my hands. That turned into a passion, and eventually, a business.”
He says UMW gave him a strong foundation for running his own company, especially when it comes to business skills and communication. “Professor Kevin Engellant’s web and digital media classes really stuck with me. He pushed me to take pride in the details, and that mindset carries into every project I take on.”
Living in Dillon with his wife and two young kids, he’s still connected to the university. “We go to football games and other events when we can. It’s one of the best things about living here, you don’t have to leave the community you loved in college.”
When asked what advice he’d give current students, he doesn’t hesitate. “Enjoy it. The late nights, the early practices, even the tough days. You’ll miss them. I do.”
He’s especially proud of building a business from the ground up, one that supports his family and lets him raise his kids in the same small-town community that helped shape him. “Montana Western gave me more than a degree, it gave me the tools to create the life I have now. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.”
Go Dawgs!
