Author, UM Alumnus Tim O’Leary Honored With Bucklew Service Award

MISSOULA – The University of Montana Foundation recently awarded author, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tim O’Leary of Carson, Washington, the Neil S. Bucklew Presidential Service Award, honoring his decades of leadership and support for UM.

Named for former UM President Neil S. Bucklew, who served 1981-86, the award recognizes those who exemplify service and commitment to the University. The UM Foundation has presented the award annually since 1988, and O’Leary received the award Oct. 1 at the organization’s Fall Gathering.

A Billings native, O’Leary earned a bachelor’s degree in business from UM in 1981. He credits the University’s diverse educational and career-readiness opportunities with preparing him for a successful, decades-long career spanning technology, advertising, marketing, television production and writing.

“I am grateful for the opportunities the University gave me because the people there were so flexible with me,” O’Leary said. “I could study business, I could study journalism, I could study writing, I could have a job. I could do all these things so that by the time I graduated, I had a pretty good professional portfolio.”

O’Leary went on to establish and lead several successful companies across multiple industries, including television production, advertising and real estate, before retiring in 2015 to write full time. His published works include the nonfiction business book “Warriors, Workers, Whiners & Weasels” and short fiction collections “Men Behaving Badly” and “The Corona Verses,” as well as the satirical book of short stories, “Dick Cheney Shot Me in the Face.” His forthcoming novel “Musselshell” will be released next year.

His work has twice been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has earned the Nivalis Prize.

O’Leary has remained closely connected to UM throughout his life. He served as a member of the UM College of Business Management and Marketing Department’s Business Advisory Council, providing his extensive expertise and helping to modernize the curriculum. O’Leary and his wife and business partner, Michelle Cardinal, also helped establish a marketing and digital analytics course at the college that continues to this day.

In recent years, O’Leary focused his support on strengthening UM’s renowned creative writing program. In 2022, he and Chris Dombrowski, the current director of Creative Writing, co-founded Hooks for Books, an annual, multiday fly-fishing event that has become the signature philanthropic event for the creative writing program.

“Tim has been an absolute stalwart for creative writing,” Dombrowski said. “His generosity is matched only by his enthusiasm and ingenuity. He’s truly the rarest of benefactors – someone with vision and a true heart for the program.”

The University’s Creative Writing program is regularly recognized among the best in the nation, and O’Leary said Hooks for Books strives to introduce participants to UM, Montana’s proud literary tradition and the Missoula area’s blue-ribbon fishing opportunities. To date, it has raised more than $650,000 to support the program.

“It’s been a very gratifying and important part of my life,” O’Leary said of his long affiliation with UM. “I derive as much value out of the relationship as I hope the University derives from my help.”

In addition to his professional success and generous support of UM, O’Leary has been active in environmental issues and conservation, serving on the boards of organizations including Trout Unlimited, the Wild Salmon Center and The Freshwater Trust.

“Tim’s longtime service to the University of Montana reflects his sincere commitment to helping students and academic programs thrive,” said Cindy Williams, president and CEO of the UM Foundation. “Through his creative vision, expertise and leadership-in-action, he has invited members of our broader community to engage with UM’s areas of excellence and contribute to their success.

“His passion and persistence have helped bring innovation and support to academic programs, strengthened connections with alumni and inspired others to make a difference through philanthropic giving,” Williams continued. “He is a true UM ambassador, and we are grateful for his service and the lasting impact he continues to make on this University.”

Other recent honorees of the Bucklew Award include Joe Whittinghill in 2025; Loren and Michele Hansen in 2024; Suzanne Peterson in 2023; and Don and Donna McCammon, Lillian McCammon and her late husband George McCammon in 2022.

The UM Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status that has inspired philanthropic support to enhance excellence and opportunity at the University since 1950.

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Contact: Heather Rue, vice president, marketing and communications, UM Foundation, 406-243-7439, heather.rue@supportum.org.