Jason Kiely of Rivertop Renewables looks over blueprints for the MonTEC facility earlier this year. The renovation project is now complete and a grand reopening will be held Friday, Oct. 26.

Members of the public are invited to a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate completion of a $3.5 million renovation and expansion of Missoula's Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC), a business and technology incubator operated by UM.

The event starts at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at 1121 E. Broadway Ave. U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, UM President Royce Engstrom and other speakers will make remarks, followed by tours, refreshments and an open house from 1:45 to 3 p.m.

The building project benefits Rivertop Renewables, a company generated by UM research that creates sustainable, biodegradable and nontoxic chemicals. The renovation improved Rivertop's laboratory and office space and added a 2,000-square-foot semi-works facility, which will aid ongoing research and development of the company's unique brand of environmentally friendly chemicals. Read more

UM's Global Leadership Initiative will host mountaineers Conrad Anker, Peter Metcalf and Rick Reese for a lecture titled "To the Summit! Mountaineering and Responsibility to the Planet" at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in Urey Lecture Hall at UM.

The speakers will share conservation and life lessons they've learned among the world's highest mountains. All three will present photography showing some of the planet's loftiest peaks, and the images will be accompanied by colorful, instructional narrative. Each climber has a unique approach to conservation and a reputation for delivering exciting and educational programs. Read more

Every October, American Banker magazine names the top women in the industry. This year UM alumna Debby McWhinney '77 is recognized as one of the "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking," and as a leader in the global business world. The award evaluates leadership both within the banking industry and the greater community. Read more

UM's Global Leadership Initiative will host a community discussion about how Americans can be change agents in mobilizing foreign policy on education, "Harnessing the Power of Education: RESULTS in Action." The event is free and open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the University Center North Ballroom.

Speakers Ken Patterson, global grassroots manager for RESULTS, a volunteer organization working to end global poverty, and Genevieve Chabot, co-founder of the Iqra Fund, which works to get overseas girls to school, will share inspiring stories on how Americans can be the global leaders for change. Read more

The UM School of Music and School of Theatre & Dance will present the timeless musical "Fiddler on the Roof" in the Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center Montana Theatre during November. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7-10 and 13-17, and matinees at 2 p.m. Nov. 10-11 and 18.

Tickets cost $20 for the general public, $16 for seniors and students and $10 for children age 12 and under. UM faculty and staff are entitled to one free ticket and may purchase a second ticket for $9. Tickets are available at the UMArts Box Office in the PAR/TV Center. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour prior to performances. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.umtheatredance.org. 

After going without since 2000, even just a slice of the Big Sky Conference pie tastes sweet. The Montana soccer team won a share of the Big Sky regular-season championship Oct. 21 with a 1-0 victory over Northern Arizona at Flagstaff, Ariz.

The Grizzlies (10-6-2, 6-2-1 BSC), who won their fifth straight match, all by shutout, share the title with Idaho State (11-5-1, 6-2-1 BSC) and Portland State (8-7-2, 6-2-1 BSC). Read more