Senior Spotlights
These graduating seniors have made an impact on us here at Campus Recreation. We are sad to see them go and so excited to hear all of the adventures their futures hold! Good luck to each of you and thank you for all of your hard work.
Henry Blackmore
Henry Blackmore came to the University of Montana from Madison, Wisconsin. He came to study Geography and fell in love with rock climbing and big adventures.
Henry was a Freshman Wilderness Experience student in 2022, took the ACT Fundamentals of Rock-Climbing class, the ACT Intermediate Climbing class, and Climbing Wall instructor course and was hired August 2024. Henry quickly became a hardworking and pivotal member of the ODP (Outdoor Program) staff and jumped in with two feet. He worked at the Climbing Wall and Rentals desk, he taught the ACT Intro to Indoor Climbing class and ACT Fundamentals of Rock-climbing class several times, and the two credit ACT Intermediate Climbing class this spring. Henry was one of the climbing walls primary route setters and became the climbing wall manager during his final year here at UM. He also was a F.W.E. leader twice and mentored many new staff into their role as new leaders. Henry was a hard worker – it was not uncommon for him to come into the climbing gym at 7am to set routes before a work shift or class.
It was a delight having Henry on the ODP staff, and we wish him the best of luck as he heads out to work for Outward Bound in California and pursues his climbing goals in the Yosemite and California area.
Nina Erving
Nina Erving was born and raised in Missoula, MT. She came from Regis University in Denver as a transfer student after spending some time in New Zealand. She is a multidisciplinary major with focuses in Outdoor Education, Environmental Studies and Medicine. She is involved with MESI (Missoula Emergency Services Inc), AERIE Backcountry Medicine and the ODP (Outdoor Program). Needless to say, she had her plate full.
She was hired Dec 2024, was a Freshman Wilderness Experience (F W E) leader twice, was the food coordinator for F W E in 2025 – which entailed planning all of the food for over 150 students on F W E, she taught the intro to indoor climbing ACTivity class twice, helped with summer climbing camps at the climbing wall, taught the ACT Intro to Backpacking and worked at the climbing wall. She also designed the climbing competition shirts two years in a row.
It was great having Nina join the ODP team, and we wish her the best as she pursues her passions in Wilderness Medicine and Outdoor Education.
Burke Schrimsher
Burke Schrimsher was born and raised in Georgia and studied PTRM here at UM. Burke is passionate about kayaking, being on the river and on frozen water – (aka skiing), He joined us in the fall of 2022 as a kayak instructor for the ACT fundamentals of whitewater kayaking classes. Soon after teaching kayaking here, he started working at the rental desk as well. He then became the rental manager this year as well as the gear coordinator for the Freshman Wilderness Experience (F W E). Burke is a hard worker and willing to take on extra responsibilities to help the student experience. Burke also played lacrosse here at UM which kept him busy throughout the season.
Burke can be found working at the ODP, at Love Boat Paddle Co or at Tagliare here in Missoula. He also is notorious for staying busy, whether it be working, kayaking, skiing, playing hacky sack, juggling, chipping golf balls, working on bikes or going on bike rides. We will miss his calming nature and steady presence here at UM.
Ethan Marshall
Ethan grew up in the suburbs of Chicago before coming to UM to study Environmental Science and Wildlife Biology. He was a participant on the Freshman Wilderness Experience (FWE) in 2022. He took the ACT Intermediate Climbing class in the spring of 2025 and the Climbing Wall Instructor Course in the fall of 2025. Ethan was a FWE leader twice (in 2024 and 2025) and began working at the Outdoor Program Climbing Wall this fall. He did not work at the ODP very long, but we enjoyed having him while he was here.
After graduating, Ethan is headed down to Yosemite to lead backpacking trips and be an outdoor educator for Lasting Adventures. He then plans to thru hike the PCT and then hopes to pursue his master’s degree in Wildlife Biology.
Sadie Rizika
Sadie Rizika was born and raised in New Mexico and Washington. She grew up participating in outdoor activities and came to Montana to continue her passion and skills for the outdoors. She enjoys skiing, backpacking, and climbing. She is studying Integrative Physiology here at the university and hopes to get her master's in occupational therapy where she is then hopefully able to incorporate the outdoors with her passion for health.
Sadie participated in the Freshman Wilderness Experience (FWE) in August of 2022 and led FWE for three years after that. She started working in the rentals department in the spring of her freshman year in 2023 and it has been a delight to have her here. Sadie is great with people, puts her F W E students at ease, and is a great mentor to usher new freshman into UM. She is dependable, consistent and fun to have around. Sadie plans on staying in Missoula working as a clinic assistant for Alpine PT and working on the ambulance for Missoula Emergency Services before she starts grad school in a year, and hopefully leading F W E one last time! We wish her the best!