University of Montana School of Journalism

News and Events
Homecoming draws alumni and their memories Like most alumni who attended the University of Montana School of Journalism homecoming reception Oct. 12, John Kavanagh enjoyed an impressive career. Before his retirement, the 1961 graduate owned three newspapers in Montana in Shelby, Cut Bank and Browning, and served as president of the Montana Press Association. Returning to the halls of the j-school at his class’s homecoming, however, Kavanagh recalled the beginnings of his career. He remembered with fear the classroom of Nathaniel Blumberg, the school’s dean from 1956 to 1968. “We were awful fearful of him,” Kavanagh said. “He was tough at the senior seminars, but I found out after graduation he was a pussycat!” Kavanagh was one of more than 30 alumni, faculty, and guests to attend the homecoming reception in the school’s library. Dean Jerry Brown opened the event by welcoming the assembly, and introducing UM Provost Lois Muir and President George Dennison. Both were present to honor two of this year’s distinguished alumni who graduated from the journalism school: Margaret MacDonald and the late Jeff Cole. “Homecoming is a time to recognize the accomplishments of students who’ve gone on to new things that bring credit to the university,” Dennison said. “It’s a wonderful time to say congratulations and thank you.” MacDonald, who serves as executive director of Montana Association of Churches, is best known for her work fighting hate crimes in Billings. Much of her family attended the reception to honor her, including her sister Sheila Stearns, a former vice president at UM who now serves as President of Wayne State College in Nebraska. MacDonald’s husband videotaped the event as her children explored the Kaimin archives. Like Kavanagh, she shared her memories of senior seminar with Dean Blumberg. “Blumberg was definitely intimidating,” she said. “The education given by these challenging folk is powerful. It prepared me for the challenges and rigors of life.” The family of distinguished alumnus Jeff Cole also spoke for the assembly. Cole, who was a business reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was killed in a plane wreck in January. His wife Maria recently began a scholarship at the university in his memory. Four William Randolph Hearst Awards earned this year by students were displayed at the reception, next to copies of the Kaimin, the Montana Journalism Review, and publications from this summer’s high school Grizzly Journalism Camp. Both current and emeritus faculty viewed the awards. They were also reunited with former students. Professor Emeritus Bob McGiffert, who taught at UM for 30 years, spoke to his former student and distinguished alumnus MacDonald for the first time since her graduation in 1974. “I was here so long, no matter what class is coming back I still know people,” he said. “Old students usually remember the good times when I talk to them.” Kavanagh, too, had stories of good times at the university. Along with anecdotes of Dean Blumberg, he recalled a field trip his class took to Helena to meet with the governor. The trip turned out to be social as well as educational. “We discovered that they had beer in Helena,” Kavanagh said. “That was a memorable trip.” Many guests ended the Homecoming weekend at the UM stadium watching the Grizzlies beat the St. Mary Gaels, 49-19. Dean Brown welcomed the alumni back to visit the school at any time. “For a small school, we pack a big wallop on campus and across the country,” he said. “That’s a tribute to the current faculty, the professors that have come before use, and to the remarkable stream of talent that continues to pass through this place.” Return to November 2001 News