State Of The University Address Friday
 Academic Convocation Saturday

President George Dennison will present the annual State of the University address at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the Montana Theatre of the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center. A reception will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Montana Theatre foyer.

During the event, new members of UM's faculty and administration will be introduced, and faculty members who have earned promotion or tenure during the last year will be recognized.

The 2008 Academic Convocation begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in the University Theatre. A reception following the Convocation will offer an opportunity to visit with parents, students and colleagues.

 

 New Arts And Sciences Dean Selected
 

Christopher Comer, a scientist whose research may lead to brain-operated prosthetic devices and biologically based robots, will be the next dean of UM's College of Arts and Sciences.

Comer, a professor of biological sciences, neuroscience and bioengineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will start his new duties at UM in January 2009. CAS employees will fulfill the dean's duties until he arrives.

Comer will replace Gerald Fetz, who began serving as UM's College of Arts and Sciences dean in July 2003 and completed his tenure in that position June 20. Fetz will continue to work at UM on a post-retirement contract.

"We are delighted to attract Dr. Comer as the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences," said Provost Royce Engstrom. "He has been an exceptional faculty member and is a tremendous scholar, so he will be able to lead by example."

 

 Brown Appointed Associate Provost
 

Provost Royce Engstrom has appointed College of Forestry and Conservation Dean Perry Brown as UM's new associate provost for graduate education. The appointment became effective July 1 and is intended to be for a two-year period.

In his new position Brown will lead the University's effort to strengthen and grow the graduate program, oversee the graduate school and work with the graduate council in matters pertaining to curriculum and policy.

During the same period, James Burchfield, who has served as College of Forestry and Conservation associate dean for the past several years, will serve as the college's interim dean.

"One of the key issues for UM at this time is to strengthen capacity and prominence as a graduate research institution, which led to the upgrading of the graduate position from dean to associate provost," Engstrom said. "At the same time, it is important that UM also maintain its focus on building an exemplary undergraduate program, which will be the focus of Associate Provost Arlene Walker-Andrews. This combination will ensure that both undergraduate and graduate education are developed to the highest standards possible."

 

 UM Among Princeton Review's 'Best Colleges'
 

UM is listed in Princeton Review's 2009 edition of "The Best 368 Colleges," released July 29. Only about 15 percent of four-year colleges in the nation made the cut.

"We appreciate the recognition inclusion among the Princeton Review's 'Best 368' provides, especially because it rests on student perceptions," said President George Dennison. "At The University of Montana, we put students first and apparently they realize that we do."

UM also was named to Princeton Review's "Colleges with a Conscience," which lists schools with outstanding community involvement.

Princeton Review 

 Education School Ranks In Top 10
 

UM is among only 10 schools in the nation that met all standards of a recent National Council on Teacher Quality study for preparation of teachers in mathematics.

The NCTQ report, "No Common Denominator: The Preparation of Elementary Teachers in Mathematics by America's Education Schools," was released in June. The analysis is the most comprehensive picture to date of how education schools are preparing -- or failing to prepare -- elementary teachers in mathematics.

The two-year study developed a set of five standards that would be the mark of a high-quality program of teacher training and evaluated a sample of 77 education schools. A team of renowned mathematics specialists from universities and K-12 education analyzed the quality of preparation required for elementary education majors at each institution. The schools selected for the study were located in every state except Alaska.

"The University of Montana's ranking among the top 10 in the nation to meet all National Council on Teacher Quality standards for the preparation of elementary mathematics teachers offers external affirmation of the quality of the education provided by the University's School of Education," said President George Dennison.

 

 University Joins CollegeKeys Compact
 

UM now is a charter member of the College Board's CollegeKeys Compact, which seeks to support students from low-income families as they work toward preparing for, getting into and succeeding in college.

The University is one of the first 500 institutions to join this call to action to U.S. schools and colleges issued seven months ago by the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.

As part of the CollegeKeys initiative, UM has entered into a contract with the College Board to actively pursue ways and dedicate resources to help students get into and excel in college.

In signing the agreement, UM commits to the compact inventory and action plan. The University also affirms its belief that all students must have the support they need to succeed in college and graduate.

CollegeKeys Compact 

 UM-Produced Film At Native Cinema Showcase
 

A documentary film produced by UM anthropologist Sally Thompson -- "Why Save a Language?" -- has been selected to be shown at the Native Cinema Showcase during the Santa Fe Indian Market Aug. 21-24.

Hosted by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the annual market brings the most gifted American Indian artists to Santa Fe, N.M., and provides an opportunity to learn about contemporary Indian art and cultures.

Thompson produced "Why Save a Language?" in 2006 after conducting more than 100 interviews with members of 27 tribes during research for the Regional Learning Project, which she directs.

Regional Learning Project 

 Food And Fun For All
 

WelcomeFeast will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, on the UM Oval.

The event includes free lunch, live music from noon to 1 p.m. with singer/songwriter David Boone and volleyball from 1 to 3 p.m. It is open to all UM students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Information about campus organizations will be available at tables during the event. To request a free table or get more information, call the University Center at 243-5082. Table requests must be made by Friday, Aug. 22.

This year's WelcomeFeast organizers are working to make the event more eco-friendly. Recycling information will be available, and a water cooler will be provided to fill your reusable water bottles.

In-case-of-rain locations are: tables and music in the UC Ballroom; lunch at the Food Zoo in the Lommasson Center.

 

 Garage Sale Offers Opportunity To Sell And Buy
 

The World's Largest Garage Sale -- a semi-annual fundraiser for the UM Advocates -- will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, in the covered parking garage near the Mansfield Library.

Selling spots (two parking spaces) cost $20 each. To purchase a spot to sell items, pick up a registration form at The Source in the University Center or download it from the UM Advocates Web site.

For more information call 243-4636.

UM Advocates 

 Staff Senate Meeting Schedule
 

Staff Senate meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Wednesday of each month during fall semester. A complete meeting schedule and locations will be coming soon.

The first meeting of the semester will be held Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the Turner Hall Dell Brown Room.

Staff Senate 

 Faculty Senate Meeting Schedule
 

Faculty Senate meetings will be held at 3:10 p.m. in Gallagher Business Building Room 123 on the following Thursdays:

• Sept. 11
• Oct. 9
• Nov. 13
• Dec. 4
• Feb. 12
• March 12
• April 9
• May 7

Faculty Senate 

 President Dennison's Office Hours
 

Each semester, President Dennison welcomes members of the campus community to meet with him to discuss issues and topics of their choice.

The President's office hours for fall semester are:

• Wednesday, Aug. 27: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 16: 9-11 a.m.
• Monday, Sept. 22: 3-5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 1: 1-3 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 17: 1-3 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 23: 9-11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 28: 8-10 a.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 5: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 10: 3-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 11: 2-4 p.m.

Please call 243-2311 or e-mail prestalk@umontana.edu to make an appointment to meet with President Dennison during these times.

 

 Faculty/Staff Socials
 

Socials will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Fridays in the Davidson Honors College Lounge. Fall semester dates and event sponsors are:

• Aug. 29: Davidson Honors College
• Sept. 5: Academic Affairs
• Sept. 12: UM Foundation
• Sept. 26: College of Arts and Sciences
• Oct. 3: President Dennison
• Oct. 10: Sponsor TBA
• Oct. 24: Mansfield Library
• Oct. 31: Intercollegiate Athletics
• Nov. 7: College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences
• Nov. 14: President Dennison
• Nov. 21: Extended Learning Services
• Dec. 5: President Dennison

 

 News About U
 

College of Technology instructor Colin Henderson was recognized by students and peers with an Excellence in Teaching Award at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development's International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence, held May 25-28 in Austin, Texas. NISOD is the outreach vehicle and service arm of the Community College Leadership Program.

Department of Geography faculty members participated in the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers April 15-19 in Boston. Professor Jeffrey Gritzner chaired a session and presented a paper. Professor Sarah Halvorson served as a panelist, organized a session and presented a paper. Assistant Professor Anna Klene organized and chaired a session and presented a paper. Associate Professor David Shively chaired a session. Assistant Professor Ulrich Kamp and Professor Christiane von Reichert presented papers.

Geography Professor Christiane von Reichert was invited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to a May 20-22 meeting in Washington, D.C., where she served on a Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service panel on rural development.

Health and human performance Professor Brent Ruby, director of the Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise, presented research results at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine May 28-31 in Indianapolis. One study showed that wildland firefighters who consumed a yeast-based antioxidant supplement had 23 percent fewer upper respiratory tract infections compared to a similar group of firefighters taking a placebo (presented by Stephanie Domitrovich). Other projects included the metabolic effects of caffeine ingestion on muscle fuel use when combined with sport drinks (presented by Dustin Slivka), the metabolic and hydration demands of the Kona Ironman Triathlon (presented by Walter Hailes) and the activity patterns of Air Force Special Operations officer candidates during a weeklong training scenario (presented by John Cuddy). These research efforts are part of recent grants Ruby has obtained from the U.S. Air Force Research Labs and Biothera.

Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities Senior Research Associate Alexandra Enders has been appointed to the advisory board of the National Center on Medical Rehabilitation Research. NCMRR, part of the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health, is the nation's leading agency supporting biomedical research on issues of disability. The advisory board helps shape the nation's disability research agenda.

 

 Publications
 

Halvorson, Sarah J. 2008. "Saffron Cultivation and Culture in Central Spain." The American Geographical Society's FOCUS on Geography, 51(1):17-24.

Hughes, R.B. (with others) 2008. "Development of an Accessible Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (A-CASI) to Screen for Abuse and Provide Safety Strategies for Women with Disabilities." Journal of Interpersonal Violence, online first version published May 30.

Hughes, R.B. (with others). 2008. "The Complex Array of Antecedents of Depression in Women with Physical Disabilities: Implications for Clinicians." Disability and Rehabilitation, 30(3):174-183.

Humphries, K. (with others). 2008. The Adult with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Resource Tool for Nutrition Professionals. Chicago American Dietetic Association Press.

Rosenberg, Edward (with others). 2008. "Synthesis, Structure, Photophysical and Electrochemical Behavior of 2-Amino-Anthracene Triosmium Clusters." Inorganica Chimica Acta, 361(6):1624-1633.

Stanley, G.D., Jr. (co-editor). 2008. "The Terrane Puzzle: New Perspectives on Paleontology and Stratigraphy from the North American Cordillera." The Geological Society of America, Special Paper 442.

Stanley, G.D., Jr. (with others). 2008. "The First Upper Triassic Silicified Hypercalcified Sponges from the Alexander Terrane, Gravina Island and Keku Strait, Southeast Alaska." Journal of Paleontology, 82(2):344-350.

Stanley, G.D., Jr. (with others). 2008. "Systematic Analysis of Upper Triassic Silicified Scleractinian Corals from Wrangellia and the Alexander Terrane, Alaska and British Columbia." Journal of Paleontology, 83(3):470-491.