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UM Night at the Osprey ‘09

July 27th, 2009 by Angie O'Neill
Tomme Lu Wordern (left), Ty Robinson and Harry Fritz enjoy the barbeque at UM Night at the Osprey.

Tomme Lu Wordern (left), Ty Robinson and Harry Fritz enjoy the barbeque at UM Night at the Osprey.

About 125 UM alumni and friends enjoyed food, baseball and a little bit of cloud cover last night at the UM Night at the Osprey. Temperatures were predicted to sizzle at game time, but a few light clouds passed over and combined with a light breeze to make a perfect evening for watching the Osprey beat the Billings Mustangs 6-4. The event was jointly sponsored by the UM Alumni Association and the UM Foundation. GSA also donated a couple of great gifts as giveaways. Monte showed up to throw out the first pitch and was a hit, as always, with the kids – and lots of older alums, too! Attendees enjoyed barbecue chicken and pork, salad, veggies and the always-delicious deep fried brownie bites! This annual event is always a lot of fun for everyone and we’ll look forward to seeing you there next year!

Susan Cuff  ‘81
Associate Director

Helena Lecture

May 26th, 2009 by Angie O'Neill
Richard Drake, Helena Lecture

Helena Lecture

More than 40 UM alumni and friends gathered at The University of Montana-Helena College of Technology last Wednesday to listen to an informative presentation by UM History Chairperson, Richard Drake, on Terrorism, Past and Present. This is the fifth UM faculty presentation in the Helena area – a tradition we hope to continue for years to come.

One alumna wrote our office to say that Dr. Drake’s lecture / Q&A session was “so fascinating that it seemed to last only 10 minutes.”  Indeed, at times his presentation seemed more like an engaging dialogue rather than a lecture.

The UM Office of Alumni Relations sends out a big thank you to Richard Drake for fitting us into his busy schedule and helping our office maintain ties to our former students.

Jodi Moreau
Off Campus Events Coordinator


Griz Grad Fiesta 2009

May 21st, 2009 by Crystal Wood

Griz Grad 2009 image

Griz Grad 2009 image

Griz Grad Fiesta

The University of Montana Alumni Association was excited to host Griz Grad Fiesta on May 5, Cinco de MayoHeld in the UC and open to all graduating and international students, the event featured a Mexican buffet, drinks, and prizes.  Tyler Disburg entertained the 400 guests and gave away prizes including a raft trip for the worst GrizCard. Congratulations Class of 2009!

Community Lecture Series

February 25th, 2009 by Jamie Robertson

Nearly 300 Missoula and University community members came together last night for the second installment of the 2009 Community Lecture Series, “Hidden Montana: Dispelling Myths.”  Dean Peggy Kuhr of UM’s School of Journalism discussed “Journalism’s Brave New World,” and deconstructed the myth that Journalism is a dying industry.  Dean Kuhr walked the audience through countless new electronic avenues for news media, and highlighted the effects of these changes in Montana.  A lively round of questions following the lecture proved that this was a timely and pertinent subject for our audience.

The Community Lecture Series continues next week with Rick Graetz’s presentation of “Discovering New Territory: The Simple Grandeur of Montana East of the Mountains.”

Kelsey Crawford ‘07
On-Campus Events Coordinator

External Scholarship Opportunities for Alumni

February 24th, 2009 by Jamie Robertson

Many of the prestigious external scholarships for graduate study are available for some time after college.  Applicants for the Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford are eligible until they turn 24. The deadline is usually the first day or so of October. The Marshall Scholarship provides funding for one or two years of study at a British university (or two). Applicants are eligible up to two years after graduation. The Jack Kent Cooke, which is potentially the most lucrative external scholarship, provides funding up to $50,000 for up to 6 years of graduate school. Applicants are eligible for up to five years out of college. Students may take the Jack Kent Cooke funding to any university in the world that the Foundation approves, but it must be for the applicant’s first graduate school program. The Mitchell Scholarship, for graduate study at an Irish university, is open to applicants up to age 30. Most scholarships honor exceptional academic achievement and commitment to the academic discipline as well as a range of other qualities and achievements.

For all of these and other external scholarships, applicants work with the scholarship director from their undergraduate institution. For The University of Montana, contact Laure Pengelly Drake, Director of External Scholarships and Advising, Davidson Honors College 102, (406) 243-6140, laure.pengellydrake@umontana.edu. Please review the UM external scholarship website, http://www.dhc.umt.edu/scholarships.htm, and the sites for the individual scholarships that interest you. If you are interested in applying for one or more scholarships, make an appointment with Laure through the DHC front desk:  (406)243-2541. Bring an unofficial transcript and a resume to the appointment.

Charter Day 2009

February 18th, 2009 by Jamie Robertson

On Thursday, February 12, The University of Montana celebrated its 116th birthday with Charter Day festivities.  The Office of Alumni Relations mingled with students in the UC atrium during the lunch hour, offering birthday cupcakes in honor of the day.  The talented UM Brazilian Percussion Ensemble entertained us with their lively beats and exciting rhythms.

Later in the evening, we convened in the UC ballroom for the annual Charter Day awards ceremony and reception.  This year we recognized an impressive roster of University and Missoula community members, including:

William E. Jones, Montana Alumni Award;

Jessie Davie, ASUM Student Service Award;

James and Joy Mariska, Neil S. Buckley Presidential Service Award;

Professor Jean Luckowski, Montana Faculty Service Award;

Professor Phil Condon, Robert T. Pantzer Presidential Humanitarian Award;

Regents Professor Jakki Mohr, George M. Dennison Presidential Faculty Award for Distinguished Accomplishment;

and our own Jodi Moreau, George M. Dennison Presidential Staff Award for Distinguished Accomplishment.

All in attendance enjoyed a brilliant performance by the UM Symphony Orchestra. Provost Engstrom presided over the ceremony, President Dennison provided the address and Missoula Mayor John Engen attended to proclaim February 12, 2009 as The University of Montana Day.  Afterwards, award recipients joined family, friends and colleagues for a festive reception and a rousing win for the Lady Griz basketball team (75-48 against Sacramento State) in the President’s Box at Dahlberg Arena.  It was truly a day to celebrate our University and honor those who have helped it to succeed for these one hundred and sixteen years!

Kelsey Crawford ‘07
On-Campus Events Coordinator

Monte Basketball Bobbleheads for Sale!

January 27th, 2009 by Jamie Robertson

UMAA will have a table at the January 31st Men’s basketball game and the March 5th Lady Griz Game! You can purchase your limited edition Monte Basketball Bobblehead for a great sale price of $10. Remember, once they’re gone, they’re history!

montebasketball.jpg

Get your Griz return address labels online!

January 27th, 2009 by Jamie Robertson

Show your Griz Pride by purchasing online the Griz return address labels. By purchasing a set of labels, you support UMAA’s programs and scholarships. Choose from two of our favorite logos and make it your own! Go to www.alumnilabels.com or www.grizalum.com and select Store.

Scholarship Applications Being Accepted!

January 7th, 2009 by Jamie Robertson

UMAA is accepting applications for the 2009-2010 scholarship which will be paid in two installments for the 2009-2010 academic year. Applications are available online at www.grizalum.com and are due to the office no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 6.

To be eligible for this scholarship award, one of the applicant’s parents or grandparents must have attended, but need not have graduated from, The University of Montana, and the applicant must:

• Have attained Junior status (no less than 60 earned credits) prior to commencement of the Fall 2009 semester; and
• Be considered a full-time student for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters.

Also eligible are students enrolled in a University of Montana graduate studies program for the Fall 2009 semester if that student has previously earned his/her baccalaureate degree at The University of Montana.

Contact the Alumni Association for further information!

Online Social Network Coming!

December 4th, 2008 by Crystal Wood

The UM alumni community has found an increasing interest in having a private online social network. The Office of Alumni Relations has redesigned its website in preparation for this exciting development. I am going to write a series of blogs about this upcoming release and what features will be available through this network. Some of the topics will include Searching and Connecting with your Fellow Alumni, Class Notes, Job Search Resources, and Email Forwarding.

To make sure you get all the latest info on this exciting development, subscribe to this blog and make sure the Alumni Relations Office has your current email address on file. To confirm your email address , contact our office at alumni@umontana.edu. Please include your name and class year for confirmation.

Crystal Wood
Alumni Records Manager