Wildlife Researcher Hired For Endowed Chair
 

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.

"We are thrilled to have a wildlife biologist of Paul's stature join us at UM," said Dan Pletscher, director of UM's Wildlife Biology Program. "Endowed chairs -- a partnership between private entities and the University -- help us attract the best and brightest faculty members to UM."

The Boone and Crockett Club established its endowed chair in wildlife biology at UM in 1992 to teach classes and conduct research at the Missoula campus and the club's 6,000-acre Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch near Dupuyer.

Funding a matching endowment to support the chair's graduate students is a priority of UM's ongoing "Invest in Discovery" campaign coordinated by the UM Foundation.

 

 Events Focus On International Education
 

International Education Week 2007 will be celebrated at UM Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 13-16.

Nearly two dozen free events during the week provide information about study and travel abroad and offer opportunities to learn about other countries and cultures. The Food Zoo will feature international cuisine throughout the week.

Presentations planned cover areas throughout the world, including Romania, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Nepal, Japan, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Turkey, Thailand and more.

For more information, contact Meghan Squires at UM International Programs, 406-243-6865.

A complete schedule of events is online.

International Education Week events 

 Negotiation Team Heads To Finals
 

The UM School of Law made history last weekend when all three of its negotiation competition teams competed in the final rounds of the regional American Bar Association Negotiation Competition.

No other law school has advanced all three entrants into Region 10's final round during the 20-year history of UM's participation in the competition.

UM's teams were among 20 representing law schools across the Northwestern United States and Canada. The event was hosted Nov. 3-4 by the University of Saskatchewan College of Law in Saskatoon, Canada.

Finishing in second place and advancing on to nationals was the UM team of Thad Seegmiller and Nicole Baratta. Seegmiller, of Washington City, Utah, and Baratta, of Las Vegas, faced the only non-UM team in the final round -- Lewis and Clark Law School of Portland, Ore.

Others competing for UM at regionals were teammates Charlie Cromwell of Missoula and Lindsay Hecht of Sioux City, Iowa, and teammates Katie Mazurek of Charlevoix, Mich., and Ben Heiner of Missoula.

This is the third consecutive year UM has had a negotiation team advance to the final round of regionals and the second straight year that it will send a team to nationals, which take place Feb. 8-9 in Los Angeles.

 

 UM, Missoula Partner To Light Up The Night
 

"Be Bright! Use a Light" is the theme of a new campaign for bicycle safety at night.

Starting this week and continuing for several weeks, Missoula police officers will be handing out light sets to bicyclists they stop for riding at night without lights -- a violation of local law.

The light sets include a white LED headlight and a three-bulb red flasher for the rear. Officers will distribute the lights and potentially help install them, as well as waive tickets, at their discretion.

The idea for the initiative came about after the death of a teenage bicyclist in a collision last year.

With leadership from Missoula Mayor John Engen, the city's DUI Task Force contributed $1,000 and UM President George Dennison's office donated a matching $1,000 to purchase the lights.

"This program is another great example of the city working together with The University of Montana and the community to promote cycling safety," Engen said. "If we prevent even one tragedy, it's worth the effort."

 

 Ask-An-Alum Career Luncheon Scheduled
 

UM students are invited to attend the International Work Abroad, Study Abroad and Peace Corps Ask-an-Alum Career Leadership luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in University Center Rooms 332-333.

The event is free and lunch is provided to the first 25 students.

The Center for Leadership Development, the Office of Career Services and the Ask-an-Alum Mentoring Program at UM collaboratively sponsor the series of luncheons each semester.

The program, in its eighth year, gives students the opportunity to hear how important skills gained from student employment positions, extracurricular activities, internships and volunteer opportunities are to their professional lives after graduation.

Alumni are invited to be speakers on a guest panel to share their career and leadership stories. Those interested in participating in future luncheons may contact Daphne Felker at 406-243-6150.

 

 Students: Head South For Winter Break
 

In January 2008, UM's Office for Civic Engagement will offer students an Alternative Winter Break in Hollywood through the Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection program.

While in Hollywood, students will work at Habitat for Humanity projects, children's organizations and soup kitchens -- places that will expose them to the contrasts of poverty and prosperity.

The trip, combined with three days of mandatory seminars, is worth two honors credits. Seminars will be held Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 2-4. The group will leave Missoula Saturday, Jan. 5, and return Sunday, Jan. 13.

OCE has sponsored the Alternative Breaks program for more than 10 years. The program's goal is to provide students with opportunities to learn through volunteer work with peer groups and to connect with new and different communities.

Information and a trip application are available online or by calling John Parente at 406-243-5531 or e-mailing john.parente@umontana.edu. Applications are due by Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Alternative Winter Break 2008 

 Abstract Expressionist's Work On View
 

An important work by Abstract Expressionist master Willem de Kooning is on display for public viewing at UM.

"Untitled I" will be in the lobby of the Office of the President in Main Hall until Friday, Feb. 8.

The painting is the second de Kooning work and the sixth major art loan to the museum from an anonymous private collector.

De Kooning (1904-1997) was one of the greatest masters of modern American painting and a founder of Abstract Expressionism.

"Untitled I," produced in 1979 when de Kooning was 75 years old, demonstrates his unwavering love and commitment to his work. The painting is representative of his later work, with suggested forms of a landscape fragmented and reassembled by his creative use of color and composition offset by lush, active brushstrokes.

The president's office lobby is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Montana Museum of Art & Culture 

 UM Hosts Western Swing Dance Nov. 30
 

Swing your partner 'round and 'round at a Western swing dance on 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 ticket price of $3 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.

 

 Drama/Dance Presents Brecht Comedy
 

The final two performances of "The Good Person of Setzuan" will take place tonight and Saturday night at UM.

A cast of more than 20 takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Open Space of UM's Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center.

The play, presented by UM's Department of Drama/Dance, was written by Bertolt Brecht and adapted by Tony Kushner. A comedic mix of theater, dance and song, "The Good Person of Setzuan" was influenced by Brecht's fascination with Chinese theater and American detective novels.

In the story, three ancestral gods visit the city of Setzuan in search of one good person to be found anywhere on earth. Their selection of a young prostitute, Shen Te, has unexpected consequences -- she soon finds herself leading a double life while carrying on a torrid romance.

Altruism and capitalism are in epic conflict in this funny, frenzied morality play.

For ticket information, call the Drama/Dance Box Office at 406-243-4581 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. today.

 

 Beat Winter Blahs At Freezer Burn Run
 

The UM Health and Human Performance Program will hold its annual Freezer Burn Run on Saturday, Dec. 8.

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

Registration and a long-sleeved, race-logo T-shirt is $15. Preregistration is required by Friday, Nov. 23, to get the T-shirt.

Registration with no T-shirt is $5 for the general public and free for UM students with Griz Cards. Runners can register now or beginning at 9 a.m. at the Frenchtown High School parking lot the day of the event.

Registration forms are online or at the health and human performance office in McGill Hall Room 101, UM's Fitness and Recreation Center or the Runner's Edge at 325 N. Higgins Ave. in Missoula.

Health and Human Performance 

 Grizzly Football Survives Shootout
 

The Montana Grizzlies defeated the visiting Portland State Vikings 34-31 Saturday afternoon in a Big Sky Conference contest at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Junior wide receiver Mike Ferriter had two touchdown catches, senior halfback Lex Hilliard rushed for 116 yards and a score and the defense had an outstanding second half to give the Grizzlies at least a share of their 10th Big Sky regular-season championship in a row. Montana is 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the Big Sky Conference.

The victory also gave UM the league's automatic berth into the Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) playoffs -- adding to their record run with their 15th straight.

The third-ranked Grizzlies continue their 2007 Big Sky Conference schedule Saturday, Nov. 10, playing the Idaho State Bengals at 3:05 p.m. at Holt Arena in Pocatello.

Montana Grizzlies 

 Griz Volleyball Sweeps 'Cats
 

The Montana Volleyball team swept Montana State University 30-18, 30-16, 30-18 last Friday in UM's Dahlberg Arena.

It was the fourth-straight win for the Grizzlies over the Bobcats and just their second sweep of MSU since 1996. With the victory, Montana improved to 9-14 and 5-8 in Big Sky Conference play and pulled within half a game of Northern Arizona for sixth place in the league standings.

The top six teams in Big Sky regular-season standings advance to the 2007 Big Sky Conference Tournament, which will be held Nov. 23-24 in Sacramento, Calif.

The Grizzlies play at Big Sky leader Sacramento State next Saturday, then close out their regular season Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17, with home matches against Weber State and Idaho State.

Montana Grizzlies 

 Griz Basketball Whips Whitman
 

The Montana Grizzlies outdid the Whitman College Missionaries 75-47 Sunday afternoon in Dahlberg Arena in UM's final exhibition game of the 2007-08 season.

Junior forward Jordan Hasquet and sophomore guard Ryan Staudacher each scored 15 points to lead the team to victory.

The Grizzlies start their 2007-08 regular season tonight against the Colorado State Rams, with the action starting at 7 p.m. in UM's Dahlberg Arena.

Montana Grizzlies 

 Lady Griz Win Exhibition Games
 

Junior Mandy Morales scored 14 points and freshman Sarah Ena added 13 to lead the Montana women's basketball team to a 73-55 exhibition victory over Northwest Sports last Sunday in Dahlberg Arena.

Also in Dahlberg, Montana jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the opening three minutes Monday night and never trailed, posting a 74-57 exhibition win over Deja Vu. Junior Sonya Rogers led all scorers with 16 points, going 3-for-7 from 3-point range and 6-for-11 overall.

The Lady Griz open their 2007-08 regular season Sunday afternoon at Boise State. Game time is 2 p.m. in BSU's Taco Bell Arena.

Montana Grizzlies 

 Griz Soccer Ends Season
 

The Montana Soccer team lost its final game of the 2007 season 2-0 to Eastern Washington last Friday in South Campus Stadium.

After opening Big Sky Conference play with an impressive 2-0 road victory at Northern Arizona on Oct. 12, the Grizzlies went 0-4-2 over their final six league matches.

Montana ends its season at 3-12-2 overall, 1-4-2 in Big Sky play.

Montana Grizzlies