MonTEC tenants give a presentation to visitors during an open house held last week.

Higher education, government and business officials gathered Oct. 26 to celebrate the completion of a $3.5 million renovation and expansion of the Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC), a business and technology incubator operated by UM.

The project updated 15,000 square feet of labs and office space to facilitate expansion of Rivertop Renewables, a renewable-chemical company resulting from the work of UM Professor Emeritus Don Kiely. A new 2,000-square-foot addition will be outfitted as a semi-works facility, which will help Rivertop research, develop and produce cost-competitive, biodegradable chemicals.

"Rivertop is a great example of how the University's research enterprise can impact our local economy," said Joe Fanguy, UM director of technology transfer and MonTEC president. "This project will allow Rivertop to move its renewable chemicals more quickly to market and grow the company's employee base here in Missoula." Read more

The NCAA recently announced that UM scholarship athletes who enrolled in the 2005-06 academic year hold the highest federal graduation rate in the Big Sky Conference. According to the UM Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the 77 percent graduation rate is the best in recent years.

Federal graduation rates count student-athletes a success if they graduate from their original school within six years.

"In theory it's a pretty straightforward formula," UM Director of Athletics Kent Haslam said. "Recruit the right type of student-athletes, help them achieve both in the classroom and in competition, and applaud when they graduate four or five years later, but we all know it's not that easy.

"This type of graduation rate only happens because of a lot of hard work by our coaches, academic staff and student-athletes. This is fantastic recognition for everyone who plays a role in the process." Read more

International students participate in a class at UM's English Language Institute on Oct. 23.

A record 536 international students are enrolled at UM for the 2012-13 academic year. The number has increased 32 percent from last year and includes students from two more countries, according to UM International Programs.

International students from 72 countries study at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as in professional programs and at the English Language Institute. Most students, 42 percent, are from East and Southeast Asia, and large numbers also come from the Middle East, Europe and South and Central America.  

Though enrollment of international students at the University traditionally has been strong, International Program Development Officer Peter Baker said enhanced collaboration among entities and programs on campus led to this year's increase. Read more

Montana's 33 craft brewers represent a growing sector of manufacturing activity in the state, according to a new survey and economic impact study by researchers Colin Sorenson and Todd Morgan of UM's Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

According to the report commissioned by the Montana Brewers Association and titled "The Economic Contribution of Craft Brewing in Montana," the impact of the industry represents more than 430 jobs, nearly $50 million in private-sector sales, $9.8 million in private nonfarm compensation, $1.8 million in government compensation and $1.5 million in state government revenues. Read more

The Montana soccer team, Big Sky Conference co-champion, will compete this weekend at the Big Sky tournament at Pocatello, Idaho. This is the second consecutive year the Grizzlies have advanced to the postseason. Read more

Montana shot 49.2 percent and got balanced scoring from 11 of the 12 players who saw action in their 72-45 exhibition-game victory over Carroll on Oct. 30 at Dahlberg Arena.

Montana will host Minot State on Monday, Nov. 5, in its second and final exhibition game before opening the regular season Friday, Nov. 9, at Temple. Read more

The UM men's basketball team hosted the Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) Warriors Nov. 1, in an exhibition game in Dahlberg Arena. For complete game coverage visit http://www.gogriz.com.