Bear Briefs

Athletes Excel—Student-athletes at UM achieved their highest-ever grade-point averages both for the 2008 spring semester and cumulatively. UM’s 271 student-athletes had an average GPA of 3.08 for the 2008 spring semester. The student-athletes’ success in the classroom helped raise the average cumulative GPA to 3.05. Nine of Montana’s 12 athletic teams posted spring GPAs of at least 3.00, with six squads finishing with GPAs of 3.20 or better. Montana had 168 student-athletes finish the term with a GPA of at least 3.00, had 52 on the Dean’s List and saw 16 post perfect 4.00 semesters.

Documentary Top In Nation—A documentary by UM students has been named the best student-produced long-form program in the nation by the Society of Professional Journalists. The radio-television students won the SPJ Mark of Excellence Award for “Beyond the Myths: Growing Up in Montana.” The 2007 program profiles the lives of six teenagers across the state as they negotiate their teen years, battling issues such as racism, motherhood and mental health. It was produced by 17 seniors in a class taught by Assistant Professor Denise Dowling and Adjunct Professor Gita Saedi Kiely. SPJ will honor the UM students for their award-winning program at a September national convention in Atlanta.

Up And Coming Leaders—UM has awarded Presidential Leadership Scholarships to 16 exceptional incoming UM freshmen. The scholarships recognize outstanding talent, academic performance, leadership and contribution to the community. Montana’s crop of 2008 Presidential Leadership Scholars are Eric Dunham and Charles Smillie, Billings; Kiandra Rajala, Clinton; KariLynn Dowling, Corvallis; Allyson Carroll, Ekalaka; Lucas Minnick, Havre; Jenny Gessaman, Highwood; Rebecca Pershouse and Kila Walser, Missoula; and Lindsey Appell, Roundup. Six Presidential Leadership Scholars will come to UM from other states and nations. They are Rebecca Temple of Homer, Alaska; Yuanyuan Bao of Shanghai, China; Michael Cole of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Kelsey Olson of Parker, Colo.; Erika Foster of Portland, Ore.; and Jayme Fraser of Cody, Wyo.

Grant Guru—Kari Harris, an associate professor in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences at UM, has accepted an invitation to serve with the National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review, which evaluates grant applications from across the nation for scientific merit. She will work in the Risk, Prevention and Intervention for Addictions Study Section. Her term will run from this July to June 30, 2012. In her own research, Harris studies smoking-related issues among college students. New grants have extended this research to focus on Montana health concerns.

High Marks—At UM, 2,744 students made the spring 2008 semester Dean’s List. To make the list, a student must earn at least a 3.5 (B+) grade-point average and receive grades of A or B in at least nine credits. Students are not eligible if they earn grades of C, D, F, NP or NCR. Of those students on the list, 630 earned a 4.0 GPA (straight A).

Authentic Architecture—An addition to UM’s Mathematics Building recently received a 2008 Historic Preservation Award from the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission. The math building, designed by famed Missoula architect A.J. Gibson, was originally the Women’s Hall when it was constructed in 1903 as one of the four original structures on campus. Architects Mike Gilbert and UM’s Jameel Chaudhry designed the new addition to make the building comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The addition includes rest rooms, office space and elevators. The challenge was creating a modern addition while still respecting the historic architecture. The end result, completed in 2007, is what Gibson biographer and UM Professor Rafael Chacón described as “homage to Gibson.”

Athletic Training Awareness—Ten UM athletic training students were recognized this month with the Best Student Effort Award for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association public relations contest that was held in March. UM Athletic Training Education Program Director Scott Richter accepted the award at the NATA annual convention in St. Louis in June on behalf of the students. During March, the students promoted the athletic training profession and the UM program on campus and in the Missoula community. Projects included educating high school students about the profession, holding trivia raffles, decorating bulletin boards and producing public service announcements. Recipients of the Best Student Effort Award are Jessica Raden, Jordyn Kanning, Klare Matthew, Michelle Gardner, JesiAnn Sessions, Nick Efta, Junji Nagashima, Yuki Tashiro, Maddy Wiley and Rachel School.

Smithsonian Bestows Title—George Stanley, a paleontologist and geosciences professor at UM, has earned a prestigious new title — research associate — from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The honorary appointment was made in recognition of his professional status in the scientific community. Stanley joins 234 other scientists around the globe who have earned the recognition. Individuals worldwide with outstanding publications and achievements are selected by the Smithsonian for the honor. The appointment is for three years, and during that time he is invited for active association and research collaboration with the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum complex and research organization. The appointment will allow him to work whenever he wishes at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., as well as at its network of research facilities around the world. Stanley is a paleontologist specializing in the global evolution of coral reefs, the paleobiology of ancient life and the reconstruction of paleogeography using plate tectonics. He worked as a geologist at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., before joining the UM faculty in 1982. He also directs UM’s Paleontology Center.

Culinary Classes—UM’s College of Technology will hold culinary courses this summer that are open to the public. Courses are available as noncredit, for COT credit or for Office of Public Instruction Continuing Education credits. Those who are interested in attending the courses are encouraged to register soon, as space is limited. To register or for more information, call 406-243-7812, e-mail mary.opitz@mso.umt.edu or go to the COT Outreach Office at 909 South Ave. W. in Missoula. Baking and Pastry Tips for Teachers will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 28-Aug. 1. The course, taught by chefs Andrea Paskert and Mark Johannes, is designed for family and consumer science teachers, but also is open to the public. OPI credits are available.