BILLINGS, Mont. - The Montana Athletes in Service Award (MAIS) honors college athletes who have made significant contributions to their communities through volunteer service. Carroll College senior Kennedy Venner has been selected as a 2025 Montana Athletes in Service recipient.

Presented annually during the 'Brawl of the Wild' football game between the University of Montana and Montana State University, this award highlights the impact of student-athletes who balance their commitment to sports with a dedication to civic engagement.

Kennedy Venner (Billings, Mont. / SR), a standout pitcher on the Carroll College Softball team, has been the Fighting Saints' Ace over the last three seasons, and is one of the most heavily-involved student-athletes on campus. Her commitment to bettering those around her through acts of service, her incredible work ethic, and positive outlook represents the best of Carroll College, its student-athletes, and student body at large.

On the diamond, Venner is one of the most decorated pitchers in the history of the Carroll Softball program. Last season, Venner appeared in 23 games for the Saints, starting 21 of those contests with 17 complete games. She finished the season with a 4.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. In 136.0 innings of work, the right-handed ace punched-out 127 batters, while allowing only 157 hits and 47 walks. She became a two-time First Team All-CCC selection - the first Carroll pitcher to accomplish the feat in back-to-back seasons, and is a multiple time Academic All-CCC Selection.

Off the field, Venner is equally as impressive. 

In the Helena Community she has provided countless hours of educational and physical support to elementary students with diverse physical and developmental disabilities (blindness, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy) through classroom assistance and adaptive learning. As the president of the Carroll Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), Venner has been instrumental in the planning and execution of numerous SAAC initiatives including Mental Health Awareness Week, the Bi-Annual Red Cross Blood Drive, Thanksgiving Meals for Families in Need, the annual Halo Awards Ceremony, and SAAC's annual Winter Clothing Drive. She has volunteered her time for several large events, including campus events, the Delaney Doherty Memorial Softball Tournament, ROTC training exercises, and the Montana Special Olympics.

Additionally, she's helped support students with behavioral challenges (emotional disabilities, conduct disorder, and autism spectrum disorder) for 10+ hours, emphasizing social-emotional learning and engagement. In 2024, she was a Carroll College Hunthausen Outstanding Citizenship Award Nominee, in part for serving as a role model and advocate as a student with a functional neurological disorder (FND), raising awareness while balancing academics, athletics, and community commitments.

MSU Billings Chancellor, Stefani Hicswa, serves as MCNCE board chair. "Since its founding in 2001, the Montana Athletes in Service Award has honored student-athletes from across the state who go above and beyond to make a difference," says Hicswa. "Presenting these awards during the 'Brawl of the Wild' sends the powerful message that true excellence is about more than wins and records, it is about the impact we have on others."

The recognized student-athletes remind all Montanans that champions are defined not only by competition, but by compassion. Whether mentoring youth, supporting families, protecting Montana's environment, or giving back to their hometowns, each honoree represents the best of who we are as a state and as a community.

About the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement
The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement brings together 18 higher education institutions from across our state, representing 2-year and 4-year colleges, Tribal colleges, and flagship universities. Together, we share the common purpose to inspire civic engagement, community service, volunteerism, and educational excellence that benefit all Montanans.
For more information about the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement, visit mtengage.org.
 

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