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ForUM
Sept. 6, 2010 | Vol. 39, No. 3 
   
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Recent UM Publications

 

Welcome to ForUM, the e-newsletter for University of Montana staff, faculty and administrators. ForUM is published weekly during the academic year except during scheduled academic breaks.

 UM Provost Named Finalist for Presidency
 

Provost Royce Engstrom has been named a finalist for the UM presidency, said Clayton Christian, who chairs the state Board of Regents and the presidential search advisory committee.

Engstrom, who was born in Michigan and raised in Nebraska, has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at UM since 2007. He came to Montana after a national search from a similar position at the University of South Dakota.

"After a thorough national search that attracted many outstanding applicants from throughout the country, the committee recommended three superbly qualified individuals as potential finalists to be invited for campus interviews," Christian said. "Among this distinguished group is Provost Engstrom, who will interview for the position on all four UM campuses in mid-September."

Christian said one of the individuals identified as a potential finalist accepted a position at another prestigious university and the other elected to withdraw.

In describing the process going forward, he said the search advisory committee will review evaluations of Engstrom from the multi-campus interviews and provide its overall assessment to Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns.

Read the Full News Release 


 2010-11 President's Lecture Series Begins Sept. 9
 

Walter LaFeber, author of the path-breaking "New American Empire: An Interpretation of American Expansion, 1860-1898," will be the first speaker of the 2010-11 President's Lecture Series at UM on Thursday, Sept. 9.

LaFeber will present "The American Century: Its Beginnings -- and End?" at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre. The event is UM's annual Ezio Cappadocia Memorial Lecture on Politics and History.

Earlier that day from 3:40 to 5 p.m., LaFeber will give a seminar titled "Reconsidering the Roots of the American Empire" in Gallagher Business Building Room 122. Both events are free and open to the public.

"LaFeber has been one of the country's most prolific and accomplished historians," said UM history Professor Richard Drake, lecture series organizer. "As an expert on the historical formation of the American empire, now experiencing one of its most prolonged and financially ruinous crises, LaFeber has few peers and no superiors."

Read the Full News Release 

 First-Year Reading Book Announced
 

"Your Inner Fish" by Neil Shubin has been selected as The University of Montana's First-Year Reading Experience book for 2010.

Described as an intelligent, exhilarating and compelling scientific adventure story, "Your Inner Fish" is a book that will prompt discussion across the campus community. The book encompasses themes related to evolution and development, scientific discovery, the importance of the fossil record and what it means to be human.

Shubin will be on campus Thursday, Oct. 28, to give an afternoon seminar and an evening lecture titled "Finding Your Inner Fish" as part of the President's Lecture Series at UM. The events are a collaboration of the President's Lecture Series and First-Year Reading Experience and are free and open to the public.

Incoming UM students are invited to participate in a writing contest open only to freshmen. The competition is based on the book and interactions with the author during the campus visit. For more information about the author, the book and the contest, visit the First-Year Reading Experience website.

First-Year Reading Experience 

 UM Partners with Fire Sciences Lab
 

UM and the U.S. Forest Service's Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory recently finalized an agreement to use the University's new high-speed Internet2 network connection for Forest Service research activities in Missoula.

The 10-gigabit-per-second network was built by a national consortium of universities and federal and government partners to provide a private Internet service across the U.S. for research and education activities. As one of only two locations in the country selected by the Forest Service for the Internet2 pilot project, the Fire Lab will use UM's Northern Tier Network connection to share vast amounts of data, run complex computer simulations and models, and collaborate with scientists in other locations.

The research branch of the Forest Service uses science and science applications for sustainable natural resource management and has more than 70 research facilities across the country. Missoula's Fire Lab, part of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, conducts fire research. The lab develops software applications and computer models used by fire managers and conducts extensive research on fire behavior, fuel dynamics, smoke emissions, fire ecology and management strategies.

Read the Full News Release 

 'World's Largest Garage Sale' Hits UM Sept. 18
 

The "World's Largest Garage Sale" at UM on Saturday, Sept. 18, is a perfect opportunity to sell unwanted items or to purchase those fun-to-find bargains. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., rain or shine, in UM's covered parking garage on Campus Drive near the Mansfield Library.

For $20, vendors are assigned two parking spaces, each 9 feet by 18 feet. Additional spaces may be purchased for $10 each. Registration forms are available at The Source in the University Center or on the UM Advocates website.

The semiannual event, which draws nearly 100 sellers and thousands of shoppers, is a fundraiser for UM Advocates, a campus service organization. For more information, call Jenny Lawson or Kristi Viereck at 243-5874 or e-mail advocates@mso.umt.edu.

UM Advocates 

 Learn about Volunteer Opportunities
 

UM's Office for Civic Engagement will hold the annual Fall Volunteer Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 9-10, in the University Center Atrium.

Students and community members can learn about the numerous volunteer opportunities available around Missoula from representatives of more than 20 nonprofit organizations at the fair. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Colleen Kane at 243-5531.

Office for Civic Engagement 

 Panel Set to Discuss 'Best Place Project'
 

A panel discussion of Missoula Mayor John Engen's "Best Place Development Plan" is the second event in the autumn 2010 Sustainability Lecture Series at UM.

The event -- "Sustaining the Best Place" -- will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, in Gallagher Business Building Room 122. It is free and open to the public.

Panelists include UM Executive Vice President Jim Foley and Northwestern Energy President and CEO Robert Rowe, members of the mayor's task force, and Kaia Peterson of Montana Community Development Corp. and Richard Barrett, UM economics professor emeritus and co-author of "Cowboy Economics,." who will provide feedback to the task force.

For more information, visit the Sustainability Lecture Series website, call UM Professor Vicki Watson at 243-5153 or e-mail vicki.watson@umontana.edu.

Best Place Project Report 

 Computer Music Festival at UM Sept. 10
 

UM's School of Music will host the Mountain Computer Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in the Music Recital Hall.

The festival will feature compositions and performances by UM students and award-winning media artist Gary James Joynes, aka "Clinker." Tickets cost $5 for students and $10 for the public and can be purchased at the door.

For more information, call UM Associate Professor Charles Nichols at 243-5360 or e-mail charles.nichols@umontana.edu.

 

 Ice Cream Social Set to Welcome Students
 

The Ninth Annual University Community Ice Cream Social to welcome new and returning students to UM and Missoula neighborhoods will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.

The street party will take place in the 400 block of University Avenue. Events feature live music by string band Baba Ganoush, introductions of special guests and much mingling. Missoula Mayor John Engen will attend, and UM mascot Monte will make an appearance.

Participants can visit with their neighbors, browse information tables and win door prizes -- and there will be free ice cream for everyone.

 

 IT Short Courses Available
 

The autumn 2010 Information Technology short course training program is now available. The courses are offered free to UM employees, but registration is required.

This semester's topics include: Banner, Business Services, MS Office 2010 (Access, Excel, Outlook PowerPoint, Word), Technology Orientation for Employees, Web Tools and more.

Online registration, schedules and complete course descriptions are available on the Information Technology website. For more information, call Kathy Garramone, IT training coordinator, at 243-5362.

Information Technology 

 Children's Dance Classes Start Sept. 9
 

UM's School of Theatre & Dance will hold dance classes for children ages 3½ to 10 during autumn semester. The classes, taught by Jordan Dehline with UM student interns assisting, meet Thursdays, Sept. 9-Dec. 9, in the ballet studio of the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center.

Creative Movement classes are offered for children ages 3½ to 4 from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. and for ages 5 and 6 from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. Creative and Modern classes are offered for ages 7 to 10 from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Tuition for the 12-week course is $80. Children of UM employees receive a $10 tuition discount.

For more information, call the UM Children's Dance program at 243-2849.

 

 Series Offers Faculty Professional Development
 

The Office of the Provost has created a new Faculty Development Office to support the professional and personal growth of UM faculty. The office addresses the Academic Strategic Plan's call for improved faculty development as a foundation for carrying out the mission of the University. This fall, the Faculty Development Office is hosting the following sessions as part of its Professional Development Series:
  • 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15: "Tenure and Promotion at UM." Davidson Honors College Room 119.
  • 2:15-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22: "Designing and Managing Online Discussions." Liberal Arts Building Room 139.
  • 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1: A Pedagogy Project conversation -- "Teaching Naked vs. Digitally Adorned: The Promise and Pitfalls of Presentation Technology in the Classroom." Phyllis J. Washington Education Center, third-floor atrium.
  • 12:10-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6: "Student Advising: Resources to Help You Maximize Your Advising Sessions." Don Anderson Hall Room 401.
  • 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15: "Showcase of Innovations in Teaching: Creative Ideas from UM Faculty on Using Technology in the Classroom." Davidson Honors College Rooms 116-117.
  • 4-5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22: A Pedagogy Project conversation -- "Love of Learning vs. Fear of Failing: Student Motivation." Mansfield Library Room 511 (Poetry Corner).
  • 10:10-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 29: "Copyright Law and Today's Technologies: Implications for Teaching and Research." Mansfield Library Room 284 (Buckhous Room).
  • 12:10-1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5: "Getting Published: A Session for Faculty in the Arts and Humanities." Liberal Arts Building Room 233.
  • 4-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12: A Pedagogy Project conversation -- "Innovation by Design: Unique Methods for Student Engagement." The Payne Family Native American Center Room 202.
  • 3:10-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19: "Deans' Roundtable on Succeeding in Academe." Mathematics Building Room 103.
Details about presentations and presenters are on the Faculty Development Office website. For more information, call Amy Kinch at 243-5897 or e-mail amy.kinch@umontana.edu.

Faculty Development Office 

 Renter Center Launches Online Tool
 

The Off-Campus Renter Center at UM has launched a new website with an online housing finder for use by the University community.

The website allows UM students, faculty and staff to use a variety of criteria -- including location, price, pet policies and more -- to search for available housing in Missoula. It also allows UM students to search for student-only roommates using specific criteria, and landlords can create accounts that allow them to post listings and photos for available properties.

For more information, visit the center's website, call Director Beki Hartmann at 243-2017 or e-mail beki.hartmann@mso.umt.edu.

Off-Campus Renter Center 

 President Dennison's Office Hours
 

Each semester, President Dennison welcomes members of the campus community to meet with him to discuss issues and topics of their choice. Please call 243-2311 or e-mail prestalk@umontana.edu to make an appointment to meet with President Dennison during these times.

The president's office hours for autumn semester are:
  • Wednesday, Sept. 15: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Monday, Sept. 20: 3-5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 14: 10-noon
  • Friday, Nov. 5: 8-10 a.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 10: noon-2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 23: 10-noon
  • Wednesday, Dec. 1: 3-5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 14: 3-5 p.m.


 

 Faculty/Staff Socials
 

Socials will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. most Fridays during autumn semester in the Davidson Honors College Lounge. Autumn semester dates and event sponsors are:
  • Sept. 10: International Programs
  • Sept. 17: Continuing Education
  • Oct. 1: School of Business Administration
  • Oct. 8: President Dennison
  • Oct. 15: Faculty Senate and Academic Affairs
  • Oct. 29: College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences
  • Nov. 5: President Dennison
  • Nov. 12: College of Forestry and Conservation and College of Visual and Performing Arts
  • Nov. 19: College of Arts and Sciences
  • Dec. 3: Mansfield Library
  • Dec. 10: Academic Affairs


 

 News About U
 

News About U Geography Associate Professor Sarah Halvorson has been invited to join the International Editorial Board for Mountain Research and Development. MRD, founded in 1981, is an international development-oriented, peer-reviewed open access journal published by the International Mountain Society and the University of Bern.

Mathematical Sciences Professor Bharath Sriraman was named series editor of "Advances in Creativity and Giftedness," a new series on educational human development launched by Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The first book in the series, "The Elements of Creativity and Giftedness in Mathematics," co-edited by Sriraman and K. Lee of Seoul National University, is based on the first joint meeting of the American Mathematical Society and Korean Mathematical Society held in December 2009 in Seoul.

Radio-Television Associate Professor Denise Dowling will serve a three-year term on the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication membership committee, beginning 2010-11. Dowling is chair of UM's Department of Radio-Television.

School of Journalism Dean Peggy Kuhr has been elected vice president of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. She will serve a year as vice president, then a year as president-elect, before assuming the top leadership position.

 

 Publications
 

Books and Publications Gritzner, Jeffrey A. 2010. "The American Presence in Afghanistan-Pakistan and the West Asian Expanse: Observations on Environment and Culture." Eurasian Geography and Economics, L1(4):413-436.

Hayden, Sara (co-editor). 2010. Contemplating Maternity in an Era of Choice: Explorations into Discourses of Reproduction. Lanham, MA: Lexington.

Hayden, Sara. 2010. "Purposefully Childless Good Women." In Contemplating Maternity in an Era of Choice: Explorations into Discourses of Reproduction. (Eds.) S. Hayden and L.D. O'Brien Hallstein. Lanham, MA: Lexington.

Sriraman, Bharath (co-editor). 2010. "A Turkish Issue on Research Developments in Mathematics Education: Cognition and Curriculum." ZDM-The International Journal on Mathematics Education, 42(5):427-510.

Sriraman, Bharath (co-editor). 2010. Interdisciplinarity for the 21st Century: Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Mathematics and its Connections to the Arts and Sciences. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

 

Submissions must reach University Relations, 317 Brantly Hall, by noon Tuesday for inclusion in the following week's newsletter. Be sure to note that the submissions are for ForUM. E-mail submissions may be sent to campnews@mso.umt.edu. Items will be included as space permits. For more information, e-mail Brenda Day, ForUM editor.
phone: 406-243-2522
fax: 406-243-4520