September 2004

Bear Briefs
Parade Time—Homecoming will come in like a lion, or make that a grizzly bear, as UM celebrates with a parade before the big game against Idaho State Saturday, Oct. 9. Applications for parade entries are now available. The theme, created for the 50th anniversary of the UM carillon, is “Ringing in the Memories.” All entries should fit the parade theme. Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. with the starting time at 10 a.m. The parade route will begin at Pine Street and Higgins Avenue, travel south on Higgins to University Avenue, then head east to Helen Avenue. Parade entry applications are available at the UM Alumni Association office on the first floor of Brantly Hall. The application fee is $15, and the deadline is 2 p.m. Oct. 1. Return applications to the UM Alumni Association office. For more information call the Alumni Association at (406) 243-5211.

Promoted People—Three employees with years of service to UM became new administrators in Student Affairs during the summer. All were chosen after national searches to fill the positions. Jed Liston, who has been recruiting students to the University for more than 20 years, is the new assistant vice president for Enrollment Services. Liston was director of marketing and recruitment in Enrollment Services before being promoted to the new position. Patrick Weasel Head is the new director of UM’s American Indian Student Services Program, which was created a year ago to support the success of American Indian students. Weasel Head has served as its interim director since its inception. Candy Holt is the new director of the University Center, the hub of student life on campus. Holt had been associate director for administrative, personnel and fiscal services in UM’s Mansfield Library before returning to work in the University Center, where she had spent 13 years in varied administrative positions.

Students Dodge Summer Session—Summer enrollment at UM took a disappointing downturn. The student headcount this year was 3,210, compared to 3,349 last summer — a 4 percent decline. Fewer students also meant fewer credit hours were taken. Full-time equivalents (FTEs) totaled 1,186, compared to 1,388 last summer for a 14.5 percent decrease. An FTE represents 15 undergraduate or 12 graduate semester credits. “We’re still analyzing what occurred,” said President George Dennison. “We know that fewer sections were offered than in previous summers, and students did not carry as many credits as in the prior years.” The president speculated the economic recovery in progress and the chance to earn money to pay for expenses during the academic year may well have influenced students to work rather than enroll in courses. He also noted that planning has begun to make certain that this summer’s downturn does not become a trend.

A Flexible Future—Earning a professional certification or associate degree has never been easier. The UM College of Technology’s Future Focus programs provide flexible courses so that you can train for a new career or promotion without giving up your day job. Future Focus programs feature evening, weekend and online courses for a customer relations online certificate, National Carpentry certification, Microsoft or A+ certification, and associate of arts degrees. For more information, call (406) 243-7812 or e-mail outreach@mso.umt.edu.

Well-Rounded Students – UM is offering a new student leadership program to provide students with the skills they need to succeed academically and professionally after graduation. Ursa Major is a four-stage leadership development experience that uses a variety of co-curricular activities to teach students independence, ambition, creative problem-solving, motivational ability and self-assessment. Activities include conferences, retreats, volunteer opportunities and mentoring. The program is open to current UM students. Applications are available online at http://www.umt.edu/ursamajor. Additional program information also is available on the Web site or by e-mailing ursamajor@mso.umt.edu.

Helping Children—About one in four children experience a significant traumatic event before age 16, but only 8 percent of these children receive mental health services. Many of these kids develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suffer significant academic and social setbacks that may contribute to domestic, economic and legal problems throughout their lives. But thanks to a recent $1.6 million, four-year award from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, UM will research traumatic stress on the Rocky Boy Reservation and provide school-based trauma services to children and teens from the Chippewa-Cree tribe. UM team members at the Division of Educational Research and Service and the Department of Psychology will partner with trauma experts from RAND Corp., the University of California, Los Angeles, and Duke University in the effort. One of the project’s recent accomplishments was gaining approval from the state Board of Regents to establish the Montana Center for the Investigation and Treatment of Childhood Trauma. The program will begin providing services to children this fall.

Helping the Elderly—A new grant awarded to UM will educate the state’s health professionals, faculty members and students about wellness testing for senior citizens. The grant will bolster three organizations: UM’s Montana Geriatric Education Center, which helps health care professionals deal with an ever-increasing load of elderly patients; ImProving Health Among Rural Montanans (IPHARM), a federally supported UM program designed to bring wellness testing and health information to rural Montanans; and the Montana Primary Care Association, a nonprofit group of ambulatory health care providers who assist Montana’s medically unserved or under-served residents. For more information, call Barbara Morgan of the Montana Geriatric Education Center at (406) 243-2453 or toll-free at (866) 506-8432. Or e-mail her at montana.gec@spahs.umt.edu.

Students Plan Major Concert—The UM School of Business Administration’s entertainment management program is putting on a Mannheim Steamroller concert in Billings. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, at the MetraPark Arena. Mannheim Steamroller, a band that has an eclectic mix of holiday styles and rhythms, is visiting Montana as part of its Christmas Tour. The concert features a full orchestral accompaniment with the band, as well as large video screens with music videos and images of nature. Tickets cost $1,250 per table for close stage seating, $792 per table for remaining table seating on the floor or $99 per table seat. Each table seats eight. Arena prices range from $29 to $59 per seat. All proceeds will benefit UM’s unique entertainment management program. Funds will cover expenses of bringing industry experts to the program, support live events put on by the class in the spring and cover the cost of the concert. The concert is part of two events put on by the program this fall. The other, another Mannheim concert, hits Bismarck, N. D., the following Sunday on Nov. 21. To purchase tickets call (800) 366-8538 or visit www.metrapark.com.

From Bear to Bull—Barry Anderson, the UM graduate who made the University’s Monte a national champion mascot in 2002, is turning pro with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. Anderson had worked as assistant marketing director in UM’s athletic department while he trained two UM students to fill the bear suit. Now he will become the first full-time mascot for the Bulls, making that organization’s Benny the bull act more like Monte the bear. Good luck, Barry!

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

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