Using the theme "Prescription for Discovery," UM will unveil its new Skaggs Building addition on Wednesday, May 9.

The dedication ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the addition's first-floor auditorium, Room 169. The public is welcome to attend, and limited parking will be available in the lot at the corner of Beckwith and Mansfield avenues.

The Skaggs Building houses UM's College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences, and the $14 million expansion offers an additional 42,000 square feet, mostly for the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. That department includes the Center for Environmental Health Sciences and the Center for Structural and Functional Neuroscience.

"Our pharmacy school is presently ranked No. 7 among U.S. pharmacy programs in total research dollars awarded by the National Institutes of Health and No. 5 in terms of NIH research dollars per faculty member," said Dean David Forbes. "This addition will help maintain the standard of excellence we have established here in Montana."

The centerpiece of the new addition is the Biomedical Research Facility. Each of the main research floors has three large interconnected laboratories that allow scientists from various disciplines to work on related research problems.

A unique highlight of the building is its first-floor science discovery area, where exhibits and activities are designed to attract K-12 students and their teachers and get them excited about science. The addition also has more classroom space, including a 135-seat auditorium.

Funding for the expansion came from the ALSAM Foundation and L.S. "Sam" Skaggs and his family, the Jack Poe family, NIH and sale of revenue bonds. The addition was a top priority of the University's historic $100 million capital campaign, "Invest in Discovery."

One of Montana's leading businessmen, Ian B. Davidson, will address the class of 2007 during UM's 110th Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 12.

Davidson is chair of Davidson Companies, headquartered in Great Falls. The organization is the largest financial services operation based in the Pacific Northwest, with branch offices throughout Montana and across the nation.

A native of Great Falls, Davidson graduated from UM with a business administration degree in 1953 and then earned a business administration master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1957. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration from UM in 2003.

The philanthropic support of Davidson and his wife, Nancy, was instrumental in creating UM's Davidson Honors College. In addition to their gifts for the honors college, the Davidsons have supported the School of Business Administration, the Department of Social Work and Intercollegiate Athletics.

Nancy Davidson earned degrees in biological sciences and education at UM in 1959. She received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from the University in 2003.

In 2002, the Davidsons were inducted into UM's Order of the Grizzly, created in 1965 to recognize Montanans of highest distinction. The award is conferred on individuals whose philanthropic and civic activities have changed the face of UM.

Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first of many steps to complete the process, and following are some reminders from Mick Hanson, director of UM's Financial Aid Office.

If your student applied for financial aid before March 1, be sure he or she carefully and thoroughly reads the Estimate of Financial Aid letter, which should have been received by now.

The letter must be returned with any other documentation that is required before the actual award is authorized.

New students will have instructions in that same envelope that tell them how to complete loan entrance counseling and about signing the promissory note for student loans.

Parents also are instructed to sign the parent loan if they are accepting that offer.

Students who have not yet applied for federal aid may do so. The sooner the better, Hanson said, as it will allow time to process any aid that may be available in time to pay fees.

For more information, call the Financial Aid Office at 406-243-5373 or go online.

About 1,600 graduates are expected to attend UM's 110th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 12, in the Adams Center.

The ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Technology will begin at 9:30 a.m. UM's professional schools and colleges will hold a ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. After each ceremony, students from various schools and departments will disperse to other campus locations for individual awarding of diplomas.

UM President George Dennison will host a continental breakfast for graduates and their families Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the University Center Atrium. The annual Commencement brunch, a no-host buffet, starts at 11 a.m. in the University Center Commons. Reservations for the buffet can be made by calling UC Catering at 406-243-4899.

Class reunions, campuswide open houses and special receptions for graduates and their families will be held throughout the weekend.

On Friday, May 11, the Outstanding Senior Recognition Ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. in the University Theatre. An ecumenical Baccalaureate Service for graduates and their families will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, located at 300 E. Main in Missoula.

Commencement weekend concludes with the ROTC Commissioning at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 12, outside Schreiber Gymnasium on the UM campus.

UM offers students opportunities to study abroad in 38 different countries through three University-sponsored programs: the Partner University Exchange agreements with 31 foreign universities in 17 different countries; the International Student Exchange Program, and faculty-directed study abroad programs.

UM's Office of International Programs offers free one-hour sessions each week during spring and fall semesters to help students get information about programs and their application procedures and deadlines. The sessions are held in the International Center on campus.

During summer and winter sessions, students seeking information about study abroad can make an appointment with Marja Unkuri-Chaudhry, assistant director for study abroad, by calling 406-243-2296.

More information about study abroad programs is online.

The Davidson Honors College, located on the UM Oval just southwest of Main Hall, serves both as a center and symbol of the University's commitment to excellence in undergraduate education.

The building, which opened its doors in 1996, has many outstanding facilities: a large lounge, wireless connections throughout the building, a computer lab, study areas and seminar-style classrooms.

The college provides a supportive learning environment and community, small classes with great opportunities for close work with outstanding teachers and scholars, and a flexible curriculum that complements all academic majors.

Mentoring for scholarships, fellowships, internships and study abroad and organizations and activities that enhance students' social and academic experiences also are offered through the college.

Students may submit applications for admission to the honors college as entering freshmen or throughout their time at UM. Applications are welcomed from older or non-traditional students and students from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds.

For more information and admission criteria, call 406-243-2541 or go online.

Family Weekend, a time for parents, siblings and other family members to explore UM and gather with students at fun events, is Friday through Sunday, Nov. 2-4.

The weekend includes a full slate of family entertainment, including a Saturday Griz football game against the Portland State Vikings.

Tickets for the weekend's football game go on sale July 1.

Check the Family Weekend Web site for more details this summer.