Pendergast Scholarship

Established by Alberta & Daniel Pendergast. Alberta was an alumna

Awarded to a Montana resident with a minimum 2.5 GPA and financial need.

Bio of Alberta & Daniel Pendergast

Alberta was born in Great Falls Dec. 22, 1910, to Frank and Edith Shepherd. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1929 and attended the Montana State Normal College in Dillon, receiving the two-year teaching certificate in 1931. She taught in the Great Falls public school system for three years. Alberta married Daniel J. Pendergast in Great Falls, Aug. 19, 1934. They ranched at Wise River until January 1947, and then moved to Melrose where they ranched until April 1974. Upon retirement, they moved to Missoula for three years and later retired to Dillon in May 1977.  "Bertie" taught church school for 30 years. In earlier years, she was active in home demonstration work in Beaverhead County. Alberta passed in 2016. Daniel was born December 1, 1910, in Jackson, the only child of Tom and Ida Jackson Pender­gast He grew up in the Jackson and Wisdom areas of the Big Hole, where his father ranched. He attended grade school at Wisdom and high school at Beaverhead County High School, graduating in 1930. He was the first state secre­tary of the Montana Association of Future Farmers of America, winner of the first state FFA public speaking contest and earned the state and American Farmer degrees. He was a member of the high school track team and placed in the state meet in the sprints and long jump. After he graduated from high school, he ranched with his father in the Wise River area. They moved back to Dillon in 1977 where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and, in later years, taking care of his yard and visiting his many friends. Dan passed away on Feb 14, 1995, at his home in Dillon.