Bear Briefs

Bitterroot Classes—The UM College of Technology now offers courses in the Bitterroot for area residents who are interested in working toward a college degree or enhancing job skills. Six evening courses will be held during fall semester at Hamilton High School: Principles of Business, Interpersonal Communications, Computer Literacy, Elementary Functions, Lab Tech I and Technical Writing. Fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 27. For more information go online to http://www.cte.umt.edu or call the COT Outreach Program, 406-243-7812.

Research Grant—UM biomedical research got a big shot in the arm recently from a five-year, $10.6 million grant for the University’s Center for Environmental Health Sciences. Founded in 2000, the center works to advance knowledge of environmental impacts on human health. Its 16 faculty members and six faculty affiliates study everything from arsenic exposure to diseases caused by Libby asbestos. The National Institutes of Health grant represents continued funding for CEHS, which is a Center for Biomedical Research Excellence housed in UM’s College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences. The center received a similar COBRE grant shortly after it was founded. CEHS Director Andrij Holian said the center will receive $1.5 million per year for direct costs and another $620,000 per year for indirect costs such as facilities and administration expenses.

Friendship Matches—Approximately120 new foreign students will begin their studies at UM this fall. The Missoula International Friendship Program, a nonprofit community-based organization, is looking for “friendship matches” for the students – local residents willing to share leisure and family activities once a month for one or two semesters. The host is not expected to become a legal guardian or financial sponsor and the student does not reside in the host’s home. Those wishing to participate are asked to complete an application form by Aug. 27 and attend a special orientation session Sept. 11 or 12. An ice cream social will be held Sept. 18. Interested community members can access an application form at http://www.mifp.org or by calling UM’s Foreign Student & Scholar Services at 406-243-2226.

Free Rides—UM is August’s community sponsor of A Carousel for Missoula, and the University is providing free rides for everyone several days this month. Fans can ride free on Thursday, Aug. 23, then stay for the annual Great Griz Encounter, which begins at 5:30 p.m. during Downtown ToNight at Caras Park. Fans can meet the 2007 Montana Grizzlies football team and see the unveiling of the new uniforms. The public also is invited to ride the Carousel free, courtesy of UM, on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26, as a community back-to-school celebration.

Global Trade—The Montana World Trade Center at UM and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development are offering the Global Trade Certificate Program. The program is designed to provide businesses and professionals with the tools and resources needed to build a foundation that can support global opportunities and growth. The program includes information on trends in today’s global economy, market entry strategies, financing mechanisms and resources, and trademark and intellectual property protection tools. It is designed to help professionals who work with businesses and organizations looking to establish or expand participation in global markets. For more information, go online to http://www.mwtc.org/GTCP, call Nicole Hagerman at 406-243-6982 or e-mail nicole@mwtc.org.

Heart Walk—UM will once again host the Missoula Heart Walk Saturday, Sept. 15, on the Oval to raise money for the American Heart Association. The route is a three-mile walk around campus that includes a trek across the field of Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Monte and the UM cheer squad and dance team will be on hand to get walkers revved up for the walk. Participants are asked to arrive by 8 a.m. The walk will be completed by 11 a.m.

Parade Entries—UM’s 2007 Homecoming parade will take place Saturday, Sept. 29, and applications for parade entries are available at two Missoula locations and online. “Montana Legends: Discovery Never Ends” is the parade theme. The focus can be on any sort of Montana legend – legendary people, places, events, history, geography or stories. Artists Monte Dolack and Mary Beth Percival will be the parade marshals. The parade entry fee is $25, and the application deadline is 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. Application forms are available at the UM Alumni Association office in 115 Brantly Hall, at the Missoula Chamber of Commerce and online at the alumni association’s Web site, http://www.umontanaalumni.org. Completed forms may be dropped off at the UMAA office or faxed to 406-243-4467. For more information, contact Suzette Dussault at 406-243-5214.

Sustainable Wedding—The wedding of Alexandra Gorman and Todd Scranton was more than the couple’s expression of their commitment to each other. Devoted to sustainable living, the two approached University Catering Services with a request to cater their wedding through UM’s Farm to College Program. Alexandra wanted the menu to meet the UM Farm to College Program criteria – all locally and regionally produced ingredients. She worked with University Catering Services to create a wedding reception menu from an array of locally produced food and beverages. “The food definitely tastes better because it isn’t transported from long distances,” she said. “We wanted our out-of-state guests to experience food grown in Montana.” The couple hosted 160 guests at a reception held in the University Center Ballroom. Guests dined on delicious and beautifully presented food created especially for the event. Recipes included locally produced meats, tofu, cheeses, breads, pasta, tortillas, fruits, vegetables, sauces and condiments. Beverages served included a selection of local beer, wine and tea. Executive Chef Tom Siegel carved a dramatic swan ice sculpture, and the three-layer wedding cake was made by a local baker using locally grown flour, eggs and butter.

Bear Feats—Monte, that lovable Griz mascot, has started the season off well. He recently won second place in the mascot competition at the Fire Festival in Seattle. Monte was only one point behind the winner – Western Washington University’s Viking. The mascots Monte topped were from the following universities: Washington, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State, Gonzaga, Boise State, Eastern Washington and Seattle.