March 2004

Bear Briefs
Enrollment Keeps Rising—For the first time ever, UM spring semester enrollment has topped 13,000 students. A total of 13,039 students are registered for classes on the Missoula campus, an increase of 41 over spring semester 2004. The increase in headcount is all at the graduate level, with most of the additional students enrolled in doctoral programs, said Registrar Phil Bain. While the headcount increased slightly, the number of credit hours students are taking decreased slightly. Full-time equivalents (FTEs) decreased by 31 with 11,036, compared to 11,067 a year ago. An FTE represents 15 undergraduate or 12 graduate semester credits. Last fall’s enrollment was at an all-time high of 13,558 students. Spring enrollment typically is lower than in the fall. The largest increases in enrollment are at the College of Technology and in the School of Education, Bain said.

Contacting Campus—Ever wonder what’s the most-used book on campus? It’s the campus telephone directory, used daily throughout the year by more than 2,300 University employees and thousands of students, as well as scores of others off campus. If you want to put your business before the eyes of the 15,000-plus UM population, now’s your chance to advertise in the directory. For more information about advertising rates for the UM phone directory, call Jeff Bain at (406) 261-8729.

Outstanding Students—Two UM students were named fall 2004 Outstanding Student Leaders, winning in-state tuition waivers. The winners are Paul Lachapelle, a third-year doctoral student in forestry from Shelburne, Vt., and Jessie Luther, a political science major and communication studies minor from Cut Bank. Based on leadership and service, the scholarship is given biannually to UM students who provide ethical and creative leadership to help promote a healthy campus environment. Applicants who exhibit ethical leadership and service qualities were nominated by a faculty or student group member. Award funding is provided by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Coca-Cola. Applications are now being accepted for the spring 2005 awards.

UM Museum Finds New Leader—A longtime arts administrator has been hired to lead the Montana Museum of Art and Culture at UM. Barbara Koostra, a UM graduate, was hired as director to fill the position left vacant by the death of Nelson Britt. For the last 15 years, Koostra has worked as an arts administrator on local, state and federal levels. She previously was executive director of the Missoula Cultural Council and communications director at the Montana Arts Council. She also worked in the communications office at the National Endowment for the Arts during 1999-2000 and was assistant director at the Missoula Art Museum in 2001. Koostra received a music degree from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in business administration from UM. Founded in 1956, the Montana Museum of Art and Culture hosts a permanent collection of more than 9,000 works. It is the largest collection in Montana, and its exhibits focus on contemporary and historical Montana artists, including American Indian artists and Asian art.

Major Research Honor—Jon “Tony” Rudbach, assistant vice president for research and economic development at UM, recently was elected to Honorary Life Membership in the International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society at its biennial conference in Kyoto, Japan. The honor was based on Rudbach’s research contributions during the 35 years he was active in laboratory science. With this honor, he joins only 14 other Honorary Life Members from around the world.

Scientist of Distinction—UM geology Professor George Stanley has been named a research associate of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The honor is awarded to “scientists of distinction who maintain a scholarly affiliation with the Smithsonian and its research community.” The research associate appointment is for three years. An invertebrate paleontologist and internationally recognized expert on modern and ancient coral reefs, Stanley has discovered dozens of previously unknown species during the course of his research. He also has written and edited six books and published more than 100 scientific writings and papers about paleontology and geology. Before coming to UM, Stanley worked as a paleobiologist at the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History during 1979-81, followed by a one-year Fulbright fellowship to Germany. The UM professor is on sabbatical this year to do research in China, Germany and Japan.

Helping in Distant Lands—The Peace Corps has released its list of “Top-Producing Colleges and Universities 2005,” and UM has retained its top-10 ranking for medium-sized institutions. With 41 alumni volunteers, UM ranked 10th nationally among colleges with undergraduate enrollments between 5,001 and 15,000. Last year the University also ranked 10th with 35 volunteers. This year’s ranking places UM ahead of institutions such as Brown, Northwestern, Yale, Duke and Harvard. Montana State University landed at 19th on the list with 27 alumni volunteers.

Take an Artistic Odyssey—UM alumni Jude and Don Thomson, owners and producers of the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, will be honored at the School of Fine Arts’ fifth annual Odyssey of the Stars — A Celebration of Artistic Journeys. The University Theatre will come alive at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, with UM and Bigfork Summer Playhouse alumni joining the production to celebrate the careers of Don and Jude. In addition, musical numbers from some of the playhouse’s most popular shows will be performed by UM students and guest artists such as J.K. Simmons (of “Spider-Man” fame), David Simmons (J.K.’s brother and an accomplished singer/songwriter), Betsi Morrison, Michael Morrison, Curt Olds, Dan Erickson, Eden Atwood, Darci Monsos, Michael Smith, Brach Thomson, Stephani Hardy and others. A popular event benefiting the School of Fine Arts scholarship fund, Odyssey features fine arts alumni who have gone on to successful careers in the arts in concert with current students. For sponsorship and ticket information, contact the School of Fine Arts at (406) 243-4971 or e-mail sfadean@mso.umt.edu.

Brick Buyers’ Bonanza—Become a part of the UM campus by having your name — or another special person’s — engraved on a brick in Centennial Circle. UM will complete its spring engraving next month, and it’s not too late to reserve your space on the Oval. The deadline for buying bricks for this engraving is Friday, April 15. Centennial Circle bricks cost $150 each. For more information call University Relations at (406) 243-2523 or visit http://www.umt.edu/urelations/bricks.htm for an order form.

For information, contact:
Rita.Munzenrider@mso.umt.edu
University Relations
(406) 243-2522

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