Dennison wins state leadership award

UM President George Dennison received a Montana Excellence in Leadership Award recently during a ceremony at the state Capitol in Helena.

The award was presented by the Montana Interagency Committee for Change by Women and honors those who create positive change for state employees by promoting the full participation of women in government.

ICCW presented awards for work in state government, the private sector and the public sector, for which Dennison received his award.
Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger was named ICCW’s honored guest this year, and he presented the awards.

Bohlinger noted that the most compelling evidence for Dennison’s success in promoting women is the number of women faculty today versus when he took the helm at UM in 1990. Then, only 20.5 percent of the faculty were women; today almost 38 percent of UM faculty members are female.

Bohlinger added that Dennison’s most enduring legacy will be his commitment to diversity, fairness and equity.

Award recipients were chosen by a panel of representatives from the private and public sectors. Selection criteria were that the nominee show exemplary leadership and outstanding achievement; promote innovative and creative solutions to challenges; and serve as a mentor to women while working to eliminate barriers to women’s advancement in the work place.

In a letter supporting nomination of Dennison for the award, Teresa Branch, UM’s vice president for student affairs, wrote: “Under his mentorship, I have been able to stretch myself professionally, and I know that this is a direct result of his personal attitude and willingness to extend equal opportunities to all his staff.”