Story and Photos by Daniel Doherty
Every year, the faculty of the School of Journalism takes advantage of Montana's fine autumn weather to meet incoming freshmen interested in the program. This fall, the annual gathering took the form of an ice cream social, and it featured an unexpected display of modern dance dedicated to Don Anderson Hall.
"It's good for the incoming freshmen to meet the professors and talk about what they want to accomplish here," said Jeremy Lurgio. "Never underestimate the power of an informal gathering."
As freshmen and faculty slurped Ben & Jerry's and nibbled on whatever cookies certain faculty members hadn't already stashed in the faculty lounge refrigerator, Carol Van Valkenburg and Rebecca Schiel raffled off Montana Grizzly apparel.
A group of dancers happened to choose the same afternoon to practice a dedication dance inspired by the new journalism building, Don Anderson Hall, surprising and intriguing all present. The actual dedication dance will be performed in October.
Freshmen J-students left with bellies full of ice cream and a hunger for journalism, and faculty members got a glimpse of some of the new faces they'll see over the next several years.
"The turnout was terrific," said Nadia White. "It's always exciting to see the pre-journalism majors and get to know them a little bit. They were a lively bunch."