The Thanksgiving break for UM students is Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 21-23. No classes will be held those three days.

UM offices will be closed for the holiday Thursday and Friday, Nov. 22-23.

UM ecologist and forestry Professor Steve Running, one of the nation's foremost experts on climate change, will speak about global warming and his "Five Stages of Climate Grief" on Monday, Nov. 26.

The presentation will begin at 4 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. A reception to honor Running's recent share of the Nobel Peace Prize will follow at 5 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Running directs the College of Forestry and Conservation's Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group. He has been at UM since 1979 and has long worked to bring people information about the human impact on global warming and ways individuals can make a difference.

His work as a lead author of the 2007 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report -- which presents strong evidence that humanity is artificially warming our world -- recently brought him a share of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the IPCC committee and Al Gore.

An accomplished educator and scientist who studies elk, bighorn sheep and other large mammals has been hired to fill the prestigious Boone and Crockett Chair at UM.

Paul Krausman comes to UM from the University of Arizona, where he worked in wildlife research and taught almost continuously from 1978 to 2007. During that period he also served part-time as a visiting professor in wildlife research at the Wildlife Institute of India.

Krausman earned his wildlife science doctorate from the University of Idaho in 1976. He also worked at Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Alamogordo, N.M.; Environmental Systems at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas; the Welder Wildlife Foundation; and Auburn University before joining the University of Arizona in 1978.

He has won a slew of educational and research awards over the years, including the prestigious Aldo Leopold Award and Medal from The Wildlife Society in 2006 for "distinguished service to wildlife conservation."

UM's annual Adopt-A-Family program is set to help the campus community provide gifts, food and other items to area families in need during the holiday season.

The Office for Civic Engagement, The Bookstore at UM and the Salvation Army are teaming up for the 12th annual event to pair individuals, departments and campus organizations with families in need.

To learn how to adopt a family, students can call the OCE office at 406-243-5531, e-mail lauren.amato@mso.umt.edu or stop by Room 015 of the Davidson Honors College.

Sixty vendors will offer unique, handmade items at UM's annual Holiday Art Fair Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

The fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day in the University Center Atrium.

UM student artists qualify for special rates to participate in UC art fairs, which are held three times a year. Information and application procedures are online. For more information, e-mail ucartfair@mso.umt.edu.

Montana's version of the Super Bowl took place Nov. 17 when the Montana Grizzlies and Montana State Bobcats faced off in Bozeman for one of the nation's oldest football rivalries.

The 107th "Brawl of the Wild" turned out to be a happy day for the Griz, who bowled over their cross-state rivals in the second half for a 41-20 victory. Senior running back Lex Hilliard rushed for 181 bruising yards and three touchdowns, increasing his school-record for touchdowns to 51. Senior kicker Dan Carpenter also set the University scoring record with 403 points for the season.

The Griz hadn't won in Bozeman since 2001. They now have 67 wins over the 'Cats, with 35 losses and five ties.

The 11-0 Griz, the Big Sky Conference champions, cruise into the playoffs with their first undefeated regular season since 1996. Their first-round opponent is the 8-3 Wofford Terriers of Spartanburg, S.C. -- the Southern Conference champs. The game kicks off at 12:05 p.m. Saturday.

UM's Health and Human Performance Program will hold its annual Freezer Burn Run on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Frenchtown High School.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and includes a half marathon (13 miles) and a 5-kilometer run/walk (3.1 miles).

Students who want a long-sleeved, race-logo T-shirt must pay $15 and pre-register by Friday, Nov. 23. Registration without a T-shirt is free to UM students with Griz Cards.

Students may register online on the HHP Web site or stop in at the office in McGill Hall Room 101 or the Fitness and Recreation Center. Those who don't want a T-shirt may register now or beginning at 9 a.m. the day of the event.

For more information, call HHP Adjunct Assistant Professor Carla Cox at 406-243-4291.

UM will hold a Western swing dance Friday, Nov. 30, in the University Center Ballroom.

The dance goes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and features live music by Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground.

The $3 ticket price includes swing dance lessons by Martha Jane Newby from 7 to 8 p.m. for beginners and 8 to 9 p.m. for intermediate and advanced dancers. Tickets are available in advance from The Source in the UC or at the door.

The 10th annual Great UM Christmas Cookie Cook-Off will take place Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Lommasson Center's Food Zoo.

The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. with the theme of "An Old-Fashioned Country Christmas."

Students, employees and their families are invited to join University Dining Services in spreading holiday cheer by baking and decorating cookies. Half of all cookies baked will be donated to local nonprofit organizations, including youth homes, senior homes and group shelters.

Participants get to take home the other half of their cookies. The only thing they need to bring is their holiday spirit, because Sysco Food Service of Montana will donate cookie dough and decorations and UDS will supply personnel and facilities.

In addition to cookie-baking and decorating, there will be beverages, music and a children's play area. Santa will join the festivities from 5 to 6 p.m.

In years past, the Cookie Cook-Off has resulted in 300 dozen cookies being donated to more than a dozen local charities.

Thank you for reading Transcripts and for being part of the UM community.

Go Griz!