Ryan Best

President

I am currently considered a senior by the University of Montana; however, with my current majors I will be here until at least May 2013. I am a double major in biology and biochemistry with a minor in mathematics working toward achieving a BA and BS. After graduation I plan to continue on to graduate school to achieve a Ph.D in neurotoxicology. I am currently president of Mortar Board Honor Society and vice president of Golden Key Honor Society. I am very actively involved in the community and on campus participating in many non-profit activities for the last four years. I have been working as an undergraduate researcher in the Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience for two years as of January 2012 and have over 1300 hours of laboratory experience. I also work outside of school on the weekend at a youth group home. I love to meet all kinds of people and would be excited to meet you!

Zachary Brown

Public Relations Committee; Alumni Committee; Last Lecture Series Committee

I was born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, and I study environmental studies and climate change studies. I grew up hunting and fishing under the Big Sky. My passion as a sportsman has defined my interests as an advocate for environmental conservation, and much of my time at the University of Montana is spent engaging with environmental student groups and political issues. I am founding member of the Montana Environmental Student Alliance (MESA), and an active member of 1,000 New Gardens, UM Climate Action Now, and I formerly worked as the Outreach Coordinator at the UM FLAT. I also work as a high school basketball official for the Montana Officials Association. I am happiest when I am fly fishing, stalking a herd of antelope, or babysitting my nieces and nephews. I also cherish the opportunity to serve the UM student body as an ASUM Senator.

Mary Frances Clark

Social Committee

Bailee Guisti

Secretary; Events, Service, & Fundraising Committee

I am originally from Centerville, Montana, and have been attending the University of Montana for four years. I am studying to be a speech and language pathologist in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders. I really love what I am doing so far in my field, and I look forward to helping those with communicative disorders in the future. I have immensely enjoyed my time here in Missoula, but I would prefer to continue my two years of education for my Master’s degree somewhere out of state.  Besides Mortar Board, I am actively involved in a new student organization called SCHWA (Students in Communication and Hearing Working in Action). In my free time I enjoy volunteering and hanging out with my friends. 

Anne Hosler

Advisor

I am a 2009 UM graduate in political science and I happily serve as one of the advisors for the Penetralia chapter of Mortar Board. You can find me working on campus as the membership coordinator and Board of Directors liaison for the University of Montana Alumni Association. When not working or volunteering with organizations around town, I enjoy cooking, traveling and enjoying life in Missoula. Go Griz!

Alla Kirilovich

Membership Committee; Events, Service, & Fundraising Committee

I am currently pursuing a double major in Applied Health and Russian.  I served as an AmeriCorps member,  I volunteer regularly at Missoula Early Head Start, and coach BSL Soccer for Missoula Football Club and Missoula Youth Soccer. I love spending time with my family and cooking.

Sara Mallak

Treasurer; Social Committee Co-Chair; Web Communications Committee; Senior Recognition Committee

I am graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. This past summer I had an exclusive educational experience conducting research throughout the four cities in China: Beijing, Chengdu, Guiyang, and Shanghai. I am currently seeking an internship that will expand my knowledge in the MIS field, and also allow me to utilize my skill set.  

Jenna Martin

Head Chair, Alumni & Public Relations Committees 

I am currently in my third year at the University of Montana, majoring in marketing and international business with a minor in media arts. I am interested in pursuing a career in online or high tech marketing. I keep busy both on and off campus with involvement in Delta Gamma women's fraternity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Marketing Club. I hold the position of Public Relations for our Mortar Board chapter. 

Kelsey Miller

Last Lecture Series Committee

I am currently finishing my last year here at the University of Montana. I am majoring in business marketing, art, and entertainment management. Here on campus, I have worked for the Financial Aid Office for the past 4 years, as well as two years of being a Resident Assistant in the dorms. I have been a member of the GrizLead Emerging Leaders Program, and like to be actively involved in the Missoula community and on campus. In May 2012, I will be graduating and plan to continue my education at an art institution for interior design.

Joyce Morgan

Co-Chair, Membership & Social Committees

I am a third generation Montana native from central Montana and have been living in the Missoula area for over 30 years. Now I am studying elementary education, with an emphasis in mathematics, and will be graduating in the spring of 2012.  A self-proclaimed motorcycle enthusiast, I also enjoy camping, gardening, and volunteer work.  After graduation, I hope to be working in a school in the Missoula area and enjoying the company of my dog.

Katie Neis

Web Communications Head Chair; Membership Committee

Now in my fourth year at the University of Montana, I have recently begun the Doctor of Pharmacy program in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy.  I have a passion for learning, especially when it comes to the intricacies of the human body.  My desire to become a pharmacist stems from an interest in pharmaceutical therapies and a desire to help the members of my community to improve their quality of life.  On campus, I am also a member of the Academy of Student Pharmacists and Golden Key Honor Society.  Off campus, I am a member of the choir at Christ the King Catholic Church, and actively involved with Catholic Campus Ministry.  After graduation, I plan to work in either a community or hospital pharmacy somewhere in the Northwest.

Tara Oster

Last Lecture Series Head Chair; Senior Recognition Committee

Zach Patten

Vice President

I am a senior from Billings, Montana.  I am majoring in political science, minoring in Spanish, and (hopefully) Arabic.  In addition to Mortar Board, I am the president of Pi Sigma Alpha Epsilon Mu, the University of Montana's political science honor society.  I also serve as treasurer of Hillel, the Jewish student organization.  I am applying to, and will hopefully be attending the University of Montana's Law School next year.  My career goal is to work in international law, perhaps as a Judge Advocate General.  In addition to my normal academic studies, I took a year off from school and spent several weeks living in Israel where I studied Hebrew. 

Zackary Rambo

Senior Recognition Committee Co-Chair; Last Lecture Series Committee

I am a Montana native and a geosciences major, while also taking classes for an Associate of Science degree in energy technology. I hope to go into the alternative energy field, maybe going to graduate school first after obtaining my undergraduate degrees.

Chelsea Rayfield

Advisor

I am a Missoula native who graduated from UM in 2009 with a B.A. in English Education. For the past year and half I have worked as an administrative associate in the Teacher Education Services office of UM’s Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences. The most meaningful aspect of my job is working with and getting to know the students in my department and across campus. In my free time, I enjoy taking advantage of all of the fabulous events and locations Missoula has to offer. Some of my favorite things include writing, reading, learning, cats, walks along the river trail, and double skinny mochas.   

Cheyanna Robinson

Social Committee

I am in my second year at the University of Montana; I transferred here after completing an associate degree from the College of Southern Idaho. I will be graduating this coming May with a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology focusing in forensics. I am on the University of Montana rodeo team and a recent member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. After obtaining my undergraduate degree I plan to go on to graduate school.

 David Schaad

Public Relations Committee; Alumni Committee

I am a fourth year student here at UM, majoring in Spanish and environmental studies and minoring in climate change studies, international development studies and Latin American studies. Prior to college, I served with City Year Columbia, an AmeriCorps group focusing on tutoring and teaching a character education curriculum to at-risk youth in the poorest school district of South Carolina’s capital city. In the spirit of AmeriCorps, I view Mortar Board as an opportunity to continue to connect with civic engagement opportunities—both on and outside of campus. I am also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and volunteer some time with several student groups, including the Peace and Justice Film Series, Students for Economic and Social Justice, the ASUM Sustainability Committee and Griz4UNICEF. Starting in March, I will embark on a semester study abroad in Valparaíso, Chile, and plan on working with an environmental or social justice organization during that time. After graduation, I hope to work in Latin America to promote environmental justice and sustainable development, particularly through the vehicle of local, organic farming.

Matthew Schroder

Last Lecture Series Committee

My hometown is Jefferson, Maryland, and I am a senior majoring in geography and geospatial information systems. After graduation in May 2012, I plan on working to get a cushy, well paid job in the federal government.

Jamie Smith

Membership Committee Co-Chair

I am a born and raised Montanan. I will be graduating in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a major in marketing. After graduation I plan to move to California to begin my career. Currently, I am an intern with the UM Grizzly Athletic Department and work part time outside of school. I have been very active on campus the last four years participating in Global Partners, UM Entertainment Management, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the Ronald McDonald House. I live by one aspiring quote," It's never too late to be what you might have been," by George Eliot.

Jessica Smith

Events, Service, & Fundraising Committee

I'm a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with a minor in communication studies and entertainment management. I am also a member of Marketing Club, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. I currently work as an office assistant at UM Productions and was previously a Resident Assistant in Turner Hall. In my spare time I like to be with friends. I don't have a specific plan after graduation, but I definitely see myself exploring what’s outside of Montana.

Brandon Stewart

Events, Service, & Fundraising Committee

I am currently a senior at the University of Montana and I am majoring in psychology. My minors are in anthropology and honors.  In addition to Mortar Board, I am also involved in Alpha Lambda Delta, Psi Chi, Golden Key, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. I am a primary investigator of undergraduate research in a lab specializing on topics such as substance abuse and minority populations. I plan to go on to graduate school to attain a doctorate degree in psychology and begin my career offering a combination of therapy, hypnotherapy, and neurofeedback treatment systems.

Travis Suzuki

Senior Recognition Committee Co-Chair

Hannah Wadsworth

Events, Service, & Fundraising Committee Head Chair

I am a senior double majoring in psychology and anthropology; after graduating from the University of Montana I plan on attending graduate school to obtain my Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology. I am a native Montanan but I am planning on going out of state so that I can acquire new and exciting experiences. My current activities include Mortar Board, Psi Chi Honor Society and volunteering at the YWCA on a weekly basis. I have also been awarded a grant to conduct my own research starting this spring here on campus. 

Jill Zeren

Last Lecture Series Committee; Senior Recognition Committee; Events, Service, & Fundraising Committee

I am a senior at the University of Montana studying business management with an emphasis in entertainment management. After graduation, I hope to travel the world and then settle down into the professional sporting industry. I enjoy spending time outside—only in the summer—with my friends and family. I also really enjoy helping others.