Griz Gratitude Archive
Summer 2026
Campus Mail Team
The Laboratory Animal Resources team would like to sincerely thank the University of Montana Campus Mail personnel for their outstanding service and unwavering reliability. Your cheerful attitude, professionalism, and dependability make a difference every day. Whether delivering routine mail or time-sensitive packages, you consistently provide exceptional service with a smile, helping our work continue smoothly and efficiently. Thank you for your dedication to the University community and for the positive impact you have on those you serve. Your hard work is truly appreciated. — Pam Broussard
Caitlin Mondloch, UM Housing
Some people leave an impression through the work they accomplish. Others leave one through the way they make people feel. Caitlin Mondloch has done both within UM Housing.
Over a decade of service, from supporting residential communities as a Hall Administrator to leading the department as a Program Coordinator, Caitlin has been a steady, joyful, and unmistakable presence within UM Housing. She has helped shape countless student experiences, supported colleagues through challenges and celebrations alike, and contributed to a culture where people feel welcomed, valued, and connected. Her work has never simply been about programs or processes—it has been about creating moments that build community and memories that last well beyond a student's time on campus.
If you've ever worked with Caitlin, you know that one of her greatest gifts is her humor. She has an uncanny ability to lighten the mood, bring laughter into even the busiest days, and remind those around her not to take themselves too seriously. That positivity is contagious, and it has made UM Housing a better place to work for everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Behind the mischievous grin is an extraordinary professional whose quality of work, dedication, and genuine care for others have quietly shaped our department for years. Her impact can be seen not only in successful programs and engaged communities, but in the relationships she has built, the staff she has supported, and the students whose college experience was better because she was part of it. Thank you for over a decade of phenomenal work! — Jace Whitaker
UM Community
Thank you to the UM community for showing up in such a big way for Campus Thrift 2026. We had incredible support from 65 volunteers, many of whom covered multiple shifts across collection, setup, and the sale. Over four days, volunteers collected donations as students wrapped up finals and moved out of the residence halls, then helped transform Schreiber Gym into a one-day UM Thrift Store.
By 9:00 a.m. on sale day, more than 100 people were already in line. By the end of the day, we welcomed over 700 patrons and raised nearly $8,000 to support sustainability programs at UM. We redirected 433.5 pounds of food to our campus food pantry and supported seven community organizations with item pickups.
In total, volunteers collected roughly 2,300 pounds of clothing along with dozens of mini fridges, microwaves, small electronics, rugs, fans, sporting goods, costumes, and more. That’s a significant amount of material kept out of the landfill and put back into the hands of our campus and community.
Our Sustainability Office is deeply grateful for everyone who contributed their time and energy. This event simply doesn’t happen without you. — Derek Kanwischer
Cindy Johnson, Director of Budget, Planning & Analysis and Lindsey Veno, Assistant Director of Budget, Planning & Analysis
A big thank you to Cindy Johnson and Lindsey Veno for their incredible patience and support in getting all unit budgets loaded into Axiom. This is a significant undertaking, and they manage it each year with grace, kindness, and unwavering dedication. UM is truly fortunate to have you both. — The AFO Team
People That Helped with Repainting the M
I can't say enough about the people that helped with the full process of repainting the M. Shout out to grounds crew members for clearing vegetation, volunteers and students for stripping old paint, labor for patching concrete, and the painting crew (Ryan Cooper you rock!) for showing up in a big way! The M looks better than ever! — Jamie Kirby
Bonnie Tucker and Jennipher Bednarczyk in HRS, Zoe Dansie in OOLD, and Ivy Wells, Micah Ingwersen, Trazz Pepper, Jenna Adams, Wesley Samson, Travis Tolzien, Reda Haddouch, Norman Singley and Josh Tucker in IT
The Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana would like to thank Bonnie Tucker and Jennipher Bednarczyk in HRS, Zoe Dansie in OOLD,and Ivy Wells, Micah Ingwersen, Trazz Pepper, Jenna Adams, Wesley Samson, Travis Tolzien, Reda Haddouch, Norman Singley, and Josh Tucker in IT for all their help in streamlining our onboarding process for our incoming medical residents! They have all gone over and above to make the process work better for everyone. We greatly appreciate all you do. — Jess Tripp
Amanda Cahill, MSW Director, Sarah Reese, Neil Carson and Jen Geist-Quigley, Director of Fiscal and Personnel Services
I'd like to recognize Amanda Cahill, Sarah Reese, Neil Carson, & Jen Geist-Quigley for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance managing the Online MSW Program in the College of Health! They have faced a plethora of challenges over the past year with the termination of their OPM contract and taking over the full scope of this program's management under their office. This is no easy feat, and yet they continue to push forward for the success of their students and their program! Your work does not go unnoticed. — Tricia Hatfield
Spring 2026
Daylee Dahl, Admissions
Daylee is an absolute delight to work with, especially given the complexity of helping students get admitted and connected with the correct academic advisor. Even while working with stressed parents and prospective UM students, they consistently maintain their calm demeanor and kindness. Their professionalism and positive attitude make a meaningful difference in what can often be a stressful process. We truly appreciate all that she does! — Rachael Devore
Melissa Neidigh, Director of Griz Card and Housing Integrated Services
We are proud to recognize Melissa Neidigh, Director of Griz Card & Housing Integrated Services, for her exceptional leadership and commitment to UM Housing and the broader campus community. Over the past year, Melissa has stepped up to help fill the responsibilities of open positions within UM Housing, bringing with her the ability to lead through complexity while maintaining high standards—all of which have had a direct and lasting positive impact on our operations for current and incoming students. Melissa has been instrumental in leading the implementation of new campus lock system changes, helping modernize our infrastructure in ways that enhance both security and the student experience. This work reflects her forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of how systems can better serve our community. Beyond campus, Melissa’s leadership is recognized nationally. Her service as a former Board President of NACCU highlights her influence in shaping best practices across the campus card industry. Her continued engagement with professional organizations and campus initiatives—such as serving on the sustainability committee—demonstrates a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and responsible leadership. Melissa leads with resilience, expertise, and a genuine dedication to those she serves. We are incredibly grateful for her contributions and proud to have her as part of the UM Housing team. — Jace Whitaker
Constance Darlington, UC Administration; Trail Bundy, Assistant Director of Strategic Marketing for Campus Dining; and Claudine Cellier, Director of Internal Communications
We are extremely grateful to Constance Darlington, Trail Bundy, Claudine Cellier, and everyone else who responded to the asks from the Keeping UM Committee to encourage students to vote in the ASUM election. There is no doubt this extra support elevated election engagement and was a factor in all three critical fee increases being approved. What a stellar example of campus-wide support! Thanks a million! — Vickie Rectenwald
UC Staff, Campus Event Services Team, Jordan, Emily, Brooke, Jenny, Shannon, Kevin
I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to the UC Staff, Jordan, Emily, Brooke, Jenny, Shannon, Kevin, and the full CES Team, (and so many more!!) for all the work that went into the Spring Into Summer event, especially highlighting the ASUM Elections. Being able to make this event pivot with the weather was great work. I really appreciate all the emphasis on the student voice and connecting such a fun event to ASUM Voting. The wide ranging support for the students was touching and made this year's elections feel collaborative in a massive way. THANK YOU!!! — Gwen Coon
Stephanie Lyons, Work Order Manager; Skip Conroy, Labor Foreman; and Facilities Services
I want to thank Stephanie Lyons, Skip Conroy and the whole crew who gave us hours of their time to help us move a GIANT painting off the 4th floor of the Fine Arts building and over to the Gallery of Arts. The whole school can't thank you enough! What an adventure! — Marissa Badzioch
Tayli Hillyard, Sustainability Coordinator, and the Sustainability Team
Lots of gratitude to Tayli and the Sustainability team for making it SO EASY to compost and recycle my after lunch trash in the UC! Thanks to their updated signage and examples, it only takes me two seconds and has added a new sustainable habit to my life! — Kat Cowley
Sean Kissane, Bonnie Kurien, Erin McDaniel, Hannah Gimpel, Alicia Houghtaling, Dawn Hambrick, Grace Gardener, Candace Roush, Wendy Maltonic, Michelle Guzman, Tracy Mitchell and Rebecca Nuelinger
I am extremely grateful for how welcoming, collaborative, and patient folks on campus have been since I have stepped into my role, and throughout the integration of the Scholarship Universe Platform. There have been so many challenges to overcome, and my colleagues across campus work hard to advocate for their students in the realm of financial aid, yet do so with grace, patience and the spirit of team work. Just a handful of those people for me have been: Bonnie Kurien, Erin McDaniel, Hannah Gimpel, Alicia Houghtaling, Sean Kissane, Dawn Hambrick, Grace Gardener, Candace Roush, Wendy Maltonic, Michelle Guzman, Tracy Mitchell, and Rebecca Nuelinger — I am inspired by all that you accomplish on behalf of your students, and your kindness and effort to build bridges with every conversation we have had! We are all lucky to have you! — MJ Parker
Cerise McLean, University Parking
Thank you for working with MOLLI to provide parking solutions for our seasoned adult students. Your support of the MOLLI program is greatly appreciated. — Karen Hendrickson
Flathead Lake Biological Station Team
UM Staff Senate extends a huge thank you and wave of appreciation to the Flathead Lake Biological Station for hosting us. We learned so much about the important work you do for Montana and UM. — UM Staff Senate
IT Help Desk's Client Experience Team
Some of the most important work on campus is also the most thankless — systems happening behind screens, through quick chats, and in moments of urgency when technology simply has to work. At the University of Montana, the IT Help Desk’s Client Experience team consistently delivers what I call "quiet excellence". Tucker, Nathan, Norman, and their colleagues show up with patience, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to service. They do more than fix problems — they reduce stress, restore confidence, and keep the University running smoothly. With a rare blend of technical expertise and empathy, they turn frustration into clarity and urgency into calm. Their work may often go unseen, but its impact is felt across campus every single day. Here's to the IT deities! — Jace Whitaker
IT Identity Team
Thank you to the IT Identity Team for quickly solving login issues across campus and applications on 4/8/26. The team resolved the issue and had us back in working order within 18 minutes of the issue being first reported. — Marcie Briggs
Ben Nelson, Missoula College Dual Enrollment Program
I would like to give Griz Gratitude to Ben Nelson, Missoula College Dual Enrollment Program, for helping collect a large amount of data for the Rural Careers Pathways Program. — Lily Apedaile
Kendall Kihn, Graduate School
Big Griz Gratitude to Kendall Kihn in the Graduate School for ensuring our non traditional graduate students can participate in the spring commencement ceremony. Kendall recognized how meaningful this milestone is and went above and beyond to make sure our graduate candidates can celebrate alongside their cohort and families. Thank you, Kendall, for your dedication and care. — Peggy Nesbitt
Keilani Curran, Registrar's Office
I wanted to take a moment to recognize Keilani Curran in the Registrar's Office for their outstanding support during priority registration. Keilani has gone above and beyond in helping clear holds and ensures everything is taken care of smoothly. Their dedication, responsiveness, and willingness to help truly made a difference, and it did not go unnoticed. They are amazing, and I’m incredibly grateful for all of Keilani's hard work and support during this busy time. — Rachael Devore
David Fuentes, Associate Dean of the College of Health
Thank you for so generously sharing your time, wisdom, and hard-won experience with the participants in the Leading a High Performing Team program! — Jasmine Laine
Derek Kelly, Business Services
A sincere thank you to Derek Kelly in Business Services. He has been instrumental in helping navigate several unusual scenarios encountered while working with the new Track Your PATH/Emburse system. His helpfulness, kindness, responsiveness and clear communication have made a meaningful difference. The PJW College of Education truly appreciates you! — Machelle Cheyney, Lia Wilson and Kristin Person
MJ Parker, Scholarship Officer
The Franke College of Forestry & Conservation would like to send a HUGE Griz Gratitude to MJ Parker for all of her hard work in implementing the new Scholarship Universe platform. She has worked tirelessly with departments on campus to deploy this new platform as seamlessly as possible. Thanks for all of your hard work MJ! — Wendy Maltonic
Amanda Wikoff and Tara Boehnke, Office of Sponsored Programs
A Griz Gratitude from NTSG to Amanda Wikoff and Tara Boehnke from the Office of Sponsored Programs! Your knowledge, helpfulness and patience with us are greatly appreciated. Thank you for all you do! — Chrissy Fink
Laramy Angell, Business Services
Big Griz Gratitude for Laramy Angell for always helping our housing team! Laramy is always willing to help, solve broken jobs and give professional guidance throughout the process. — Marcey Campbell
Wendy Walker, Professor/Digital Initiatives Librarian
Wendy Walker has twice helped me find OER materials for classes, and each time, she searched quickly and thoroughly. She is so passionate about helping students get a deep yet affordable education! I appreciate her support — and my students do, too! — Heather Voorhees
Gust Johnson, UM Housing Maintenance Plumber
Shout out to Gust Johnson! As a valued member of our UM Housing maintenance team, Gust has truly gone above and beyond. I am grateful for his dedication and willingness to respond to plumbing concerns for our residents especially after hours and on his days off. His commitment does not go unnoticed and makes a meaningful difference in our community. Great job, Gust, and thank you for your exceptional service. You are truly appreciated. — Robin Joseph
Julia Tonne, Events and Program Coordinator for UC Administration
I’d like to share some Griz Gratitude for Julia Tonne, Events and Program Coordinator for UC Administration. As ORCS has expanded the number of events we offer to meet growing campus demand for training and communications, Julia has been instrumental in our success. She has helped plan and schedule ORCS forums in appropriate venues and ensured we have the technical support needed for each event. I especially appreciate her professional guidance throughout this process. As someone who is not an event planner, her expertise has been invaluable in helping us deliver high-quality events for campus. — Naomi DeMarinis
Julie Rogers, Director of Budget & Operations for Research and Creative Scholarship
Julie is always so supportive of the Graduate School on budget-related matters. She is kind and patient. If we have a question, she is always there! Thank you Julie! — Ke Wu
Bodhi Murphy, Director of International Students & Scholars
Thank you, Bodhi, for your help and support of international graduate students, especially during challenging and unpredictable times! — Ke Wu
Registrar's Office Team
The Graduate School team appreciates your collaboration and help. Thank you! — Ke Wu
Griz Card Center
Lots of Griz Gratitude to all the Griz Card Center folks — especially Brian Miner and Andrew Treu — for being unfailingly patient, kind and helpful! No matter how many times they're bothered by the same person in one day (... so I hear), they are constantly timely, precise and incredible! — Erin McDaniel
Sydnie Williams, Budget Analyst
On behalf of the School of Public and Community Health Sciences, I would like to give a big thank you to our Budget Analyst, Sydnie Williams. Sydnie led efforts to implement a new, electronic payroll reporting system for our department. The new system has greatly improved efficiency of this biweekly task. No one misses the old spreadsheets! Thank you Sydnie! — Sophia Newcomer
Those Who Waived Fees for Employee Degrees
We would like to thank everyone involved in waiving certain fees for employees who pursue degrees at UM. Staff Senate put forth this idea last year, and Paul Lasiter and his team have made it happen! This is a significant cost savings for employees who are using the unique tuition waiver benefit and working extra hard to further their careers. — Claudine Cellier and Alexa Lawson
UMPD
I am honored to submit this Griz Gratitude recognition for the exceptional officers of the University of Montana Police Department. Each year, UMPD responds to thousands of calls for service, conducts proactive patrols across more than 200 acres of campus property, and partners closely with Housing & Residence Life to support the nearly 4,000 students who call our residence halls and apartments home. Their work is constant and visible — yet always grounded in professionalism, humility, and care.
Within the residence halls, officers routinely respond to medical emergencies, mental health crises, and safety concerns with composure and clarity. Their response times are immediate, their communication thorough, and their follow-through reliable. They do more than enforce policy — they educate, de-escalate, and mentor. From reassuring first-year students in moments of distress to collaborating seamlessly with Residence Life staff after hours, UMPD creates a visible layer of safety that allows students to focus on learning and belonging.
What truly distinguishes UMPD is how they embody The Montana Way — leading with integrity, accountability, and respect for others. They are steady during emergencies, calm amid chaos, and proactive in building trust through daily interactions across campus. The positive impact of their service is measurable in reduced escalation, strong cross-campus partnerships, and a campus community where students consistently report feeling safe and supported.
UMPD officers strengthen the fabric of the University of Montana every single day. This Griz Gratitude recognition reflects deep appreciation for their vigilance, their partnership, and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of our students and staff. — Jace Whitaker
Ruth Williams — Collections/ Office Manager
Ruth is so friendly and helpful! — Elissa White
Sarah Davidson — IT Applications Administrator
Thank you to Sarah Davidson from the IT Applications Team who has been tirelessly working to build improved technician dashboards for HRS team members in TeamDynamix. — Eli Bowe
Curry Health Center
I want to shout out my colleagues at Curry Health Center for the hard work behind our transition to accepting health insurance in the Medical Clinic — truly no small feat. Appreciate everyone's effort in making this happen for our campus! — Liv Wilson
Dawn Barnhart - Associate Registrar | Jared Rutherford, Michael Faris and Corey Cardoza - IT
Thank you to Dawn Barnhart in the Registrar's Office and the following IT personnel: Jared Rutherford, Michael Faris, and Corey Cardoza for your quick responses and thoughtful actions! When an issue arose that prevented faculty from accessing their class lists, Dawn provided a workaround solution while also setting to work on the long-term resolution. Jared, Michael, and Corey were instrumental in carrying out the work that needed to happen (and is still happening) to fix the issue. Thank you also to the faculty and IT Helpdesk folks (Ben and Kai) who alerted us to the issue. We’re stronger together - go team! — Alecia Gray
Office of the Registrar
Congratulations to the Office of the Registrar for winning Compliance Week Bingo! Hope you enjoyed the treats brought to you by Compliance Week sponsor, LARC (Legal, Audit, Risk and Compliance). Thank you for all you do to support student access, privacy and accomplishment by keeping UM in compliance with the the law. — Jessica Weltman
Machelle Cheyney - Operations Administrator
Tons of Griz Gratitude should be showered upon Machelle Cheyney in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. Machelle has been saving my bacon this term — often in the eleventh hour — with generosity of spirit AND classroom spaces! — Erin McDaniel
Zach Rossmiller - Chief Information Officer
I want to express my sincere appreciation to Zach Rossmiller for the time and energy he's invested in our junior staff. Zach has been incredibly generous in coaching and mentoring team members on AI tools and coding. In a field that's evolving as rapidly as AI, having someone willing to guide others through the learning curve is invaluable. Zach's willingness to share what he's learned strengthens our entire team. Thank you, Zach, for your patience, enthusiasm and commitment to developing the next generation of talent. — Scott Holgate
Chelsea Chirinos - Director of Payroll Operations and Financial Compliance
Thank you, Chelsea, for being so responsive to, and patient with, all of our questions as we transition over to the WTE payroll system. You have been amazing, so please know how much we appreciate all you do. — Lauren Fern
Peter Boehm - Facilities
Thank you, Peter, for being so dedicated to finding a resolution and so kind while working around us. Your positive outlook on helping the UM community and creating realistic solutions is much appreciated. We are lucky to work alongside you! Happy 2-years! — Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation
Samuel Schulz - Hospitality Manager
We reached out to Sam to reserve a conference room for a day-long meeting. Sam went above and beyond to ensure we had all we needed, that the technology was functioning appropriately and that we had proper permissions. Sam was responsive, kind and approachable. Thanks, Sam! — Anna Kiley
Joseph McClish
I would like to send Griz Gratitude to Joseph McClish, one of the wonderful IT Help Desk Technology Educator & Consultants. While visiting the Help Desk for another issue, I mentioned to Joseph that I have never been able to connect my Google Pixel phone to eduroam, for the entire time UM has had it. In 5 minutes, Joseph had identified the problem and got me connected to eduroam. It's a small thing but it's been wonderful to not be on the open grizguest network anymore. I truly appreciate how kind and patient Joseph was with me while guiding me through the issues. He explained things in a way that was easy to understand. — Coco Ponce
Sierra Jacobs
Kudos and thanks to Sierra Jacobs, Recruitment Specialist in Human Resources, for her facilitation of a recent successful recruitment at the Mansfield Library. Under her direction the search process was seamless and quick, with clear directions and guidance at each step. — Donna McCrea
Yurong Luan
I would like to send Griz Gratitude to Yurong Luan in the Office of Sponsored Programs for always been so helpful and responsive to all of the School of Public Health's needs. She is truly an asset to UM and to OSP and we are very fortunate to get to work with her. — Aimee Elliott
Fall 2025
Holiday Helpers
A heartfelt thanks to the nearly 300 students, staff, and faculty members who participated in Holiday Helpers and made the holidays a bit brighter for our neighbors this season. Because of your generosity, nearly 1,200 gifts have been delivered to the Poverello Center, YWCA, Missoula County Public Schools, and the Humane Society of Western Montana. A special thanks goes out to the student-led Holiday Helper committee for their work organizing the drive and gift drop-off party. The committee was chaired by Sawyer Unruh with Taylor McPherson, Michael Jump, Cat Kaftan, Aubrey VanOrder, and EmmaLee Flug making up its membership. Wishing you warmth and rest this winter! — Jenah Mead
Jared Amoss and Parking Services
Thank you to Jared Amoss and Parking Services for their collaboration on parking during the Griz game and providing parking for the patrons of the Nutcracker. It is great working with you all and making it all possible for so many guests that come to campus during a play off game! I know our client appreciates all the preplanning and coordination. Thanks for all you do! — Kate Helms
Donna McCrae, Mark Fritch and the Archives and Special Collections Team
I'd like to express gratitude to Donna McCrae, Mark Fritch and the team at Archives and Special Collections in the Mansfield Library for providing exceptional service. I've made several requests in recent months and they are always responsive and helpful! — Paula Short
Student Financial Services Team
To My Student Financial Services Team, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your hard work and unwavering dedication to our students and to one another. Over the past few years, I’ve watched this team consistently rise to challenges, bringing innovative ideas to the table that have transformed our processes and improved efficiencies in meaningful ways. Your creativity, collaboration, and commitment to excellence have not only enhanced the student experience but have also strengthened our department as a whole.
I am truly impressed by the professionalism and passion you bring to your roles every day. Your efforts make a real difference, and I am proud to work alongside such a talented and driven group of individuals. Thank you for everything you do to support our students and each other. You are the heart of Student Financial Services, and your impact is felt far beyond our office. — Lucy Logan
Zach Rides At The Door
I would like to nominate Zach Rides At The Door for Griz Gratitude. Zach took on a huge task of learning CMS and redoing the website for the Payne Family Native American Center. — Phil Stempin
Dari Quirk, Budget Analyst and Emery Reyna, Proposal Development Analyst
We want to express our sincere gratitude to Dari Quirk and Emery Reyna for their outstanding support during our recent FIPSE grant submissions. Their attention to detail, quick responses, and steady guidance made an extremely tight deadline and a complex process far more manageable. Dari and Emery helped us navigate budget questions, clarified requirements, and kept every part of the submission on track.
They consistently went above and beyond, anticipating needs, offering clear direction, and responding with remarkable speed. Their professionalism and commitment reflect the very best of UM, and we are truly grateful for the partnership.
Thank you both for the exceptional support and for helping us put forward the strongest proposals possible. — Zachary Rossmiller and Kelly Webster
Jesse Conn, Missoula College Budget Analyst
Thank you to Missoula College Budget Analyst Jesse Conn. We are grateful for your outstanding work! You have been a wonderful and supportive colleague to faculty and staff across the college. We appreciate your patience and positive disposition as you help others navigate their financial affairs. — Tom Gallagher
Jess Robbins, Associate Dean of Students for Outreach and Care and Lori Simkins, Assistant Director for Outreach and Care
There are few people on campus who face as many complex and demanding issues in a single day as Jess Robbins and Lori Simkins. They are absolute professionals in their field—incredibly skilled, a bastion of resilience, and unwavering in their commitment to tackling the difficult work that enables others across campus to do theirs. — Jace Whitaker
UM and Missoula Communities
Our collective generosity continues to astound — Grizzlies won Can the Cats with over $1 million in donations! Learn more about the food drive.
Experiential Learning & Career Success Team
Thank you to the amazing Experiential Learning & Career Success (ELCS) team. Jenah Mead and her student volunteer program leaders helped double the proceeds from last year. Over 200 volunteers raised 16,501.23 pounds and dollars in 4 hours. — Karen Schlatter
Dave Kuntz
I want to send sincere thanks to Dave Kuntz in strategic comms for always helping student journalists at UM. Recently, 20 of my students pitched, reported and wrote original news stories. More than a few of them reached out to Dave for comments and advice on interviewing other campus sources. He made time for all of them, and not all of their stories put UM in the best light. He understands so well that UM can't produce professional journalists without training them and letting them go after real stories, even as beginners. He is so patient and professional with them and it's so appreciated! — Jule Banville
Charity Atteberry
The Advisory Council on Inclusive Access and Success (ACIAS) would like to express their appreciation of Charity Atteberry. In her role at the Office of Disability Equity, Charity has made our campus more inclusive and welcoming for all students through her creative problem-solving, innovative solutions, and tireless commitment to accessibility. Thank you Charity for all you do to make our campus community more inclusive and accessible! — Dana Fitz Gale
Men Who Spoke Up at Reeves Event
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude and deep pride for the two young men who so bravely spoke during the Q&A session following this week’s President’s Lecture with Richard Reeves, entitled "Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to do About it." Your honesty and openness in such a large audience were truly inspiring — demonstrating a level of courage and vulnerability that moved many of us. Thank you for sharing your voices and reminding us of the strength it takes to speak with sincerity. — Dan Lee
Erin Shaw and Lucy Ruediger
Griz Gratitude to Erin Shaw and Lucy Ruediger of Missoula College for their outstanding work in supporting the faculty evaluation process. I greatly appreciate the care and attention to detail they took to set everything up in the new faculty evaluation platform correctly, as well as their willingness to reach out for assistance when needed. Great job, Erin and Lucy! — Tom Gallagher
MJ Parker and Finanical Aid Team
Big shoutout to MJ Parker and the Financial Aid team for their amazing work getting our scholarships processed this fall! MJ was lightning-fast and kept us updated every step of the way. We’re so grateful for your help and dedication! — Hannah Gimpel
ODE Team
This semester has brought remarkable change and challenge across our campus, and I want to take a moment to recognize the exceptional team in the Office for Disability Equity (Dianna Duncan, Dahn Ebert, Ciarra Ewald, Bonnie Kurien, Brandy Reinhardt, Mika Watanabe.) Their steadfast commitment to supporting students, faculty, and one another has been nothing short of inspiring.
Even as workloads have grown and capacities have been stretched, the ODE team has continued to step up — and step in — with professionalism, kindness, and grace. Their collaborative spirit and dedication to ensuring access and equity across the university embody the very best of what it means to serve this community.
I am deeply grateful for their collegiality, expertise, and resilience during this demanding time. Their work is not always visible, but its impact is felt in every classroom, every interaction, and every student who finds belonging and opportunity because of their care.
Please join me in recognizing and celebrating this extraordinary team for their ongoing contributions to an accessible and inclusive University of Montana. — Charity Atteberry
Alumni Team
We’d like to recognize the Alumni team for having a 98% score on their website's recent accessibility audit! Great work, Leann Layton and crew! — MCEE Digital Strategy Team
IT Team
I would like to express my deep gratitude for the IT/technical team working on developing integrations from our Extended Credit & Noncredit registration system to Banner. Jared Rutherford and Mac McComas from IT, and Jeff Wimett from EII have been amazing SMEs to have on this project. They have overcome significant obstacles, coordinated efforts with multiple outside entities, and provided backend data that has allowed us to reach our first major milestone of the integrations - connectivity between Banner and the registration system. I am endlessly grateful to all the hard work and dedication shown by Jared, Mac, and Jeff the last few weeks. — Coco Ponce
Karen Schlatter and Anna Weishaar
I want to give some Griz Gratitude to Karen Schlatter and Anna Weishaar over in Marketing Communications, Experience and Engagement (MCEE)! The School of Visual and Media Arts hosted art teachers from across the state during last week's MFPE convention, and Anna and Karen were super helpful in getting us fun UM swag before our company arrived! — Marissa Badzioch
All Who Make Griz Football Possible
I want to thank everyone in UMPD — officers, SET Team and staff — for the hard work they do every Griz Football game. There are a lot of hours and manpower that goes into keeping students, staff, faculty and the community safe during these game days. — Cerise McLean
Barb Bybee, Business Services
I just want to give a big shout of to Barb Bybee in Business Services/Business Operations for always being willing to help, no matter the question! She is incredibly knowledgeable about policy and procedure, and what she doesn't know she always researches and gets an answer to me quickly! She is never one to pass the buck, which I appreciate so very much. Barb is contagiously positive and my interactions with her always brighten my day! - Kristin Person
All who made Family Weekend a Success
On behalf of the Family Weekend planning committee, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your incredible support, energy, and collaboration during this year’s Family Weekend at the University of Montana.
Thanks to your dedication and hard work, we were able to offer an engaging, welcoming, and memorable experience for our students and their families. The success of this weekend truly reflects the strength of our campus community and our shared commitment to making UM a place where students and families feel connected and valued.
We would like to give special thanks to the following departments and individuals whose efforts helped bring the weekend to life:
- Grizzly Athletics & of course Monte
- Ticketing Office at the Adams Center
- Admissions
- UM Advocates & the Office for New Student Success
- Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Office & Parent and Family Association
- Conference Management Services
- President’s Office
- Broader Impacts Group
- UM Marketing
- Office of Sustainability
- UM Catering
- Conference and Event Services
- Zoological Museum
- Paleontology Center
- Montana Herbarium
- Griz Cheer and Dance Team
- University Center Staff
- Campus Recreation
- Mansfield Library
- Montana Museum of Art and Culture
- UM Planetarium
- Office of the Registrar
- UM History Department
- University Center Gardens
- ROTC
- UM Parking Services
- Campus Dining
- Office of Disability and Equity
- Volunteers Sara Hull and Allison McJannet
Each of you contributed something unique and essential to the weekend, whether through programming, hospitality, behind-the-scenes support, or creating welcoming and inspiring spaces for families to explore our campus. Your efforts helped highlight the best of what UM has to offer, and families left feeling a stronger connection to the Griz community.
We are grateful for your time, your talents, and your unwavering support. Thank you for making Family Weekend a true celebration of the UM spirit. - Katie Helms
Grounds Crew
While walking across campus this past Saturday after the football game, my wife and I were struck by how beautifully our grounds are maintained. The care and attention to detail are evident everywhere we looked. We are fortunate to have such a stunning campus, thanks to the outstanding leadership of Paula Short and the dedicated efforts of her Facilities Department team. Kudos to all—you’ve done a remarkable job, and it shows! - Dan Lee
Troy Morgan, Associate Registrar
The Graduate School is pleased to nominate Troy Morgan for Griz Gratitude. Troy is an invaluable resource to the entire campus community, consistently providing support to a wide range of questions and issues. He brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge, and we are truly grateful for his collaborative spirit and dedication. — Kendall Kihn and the Graduate School team
Zion Moore, Assistant Director of Inclusion & Community and Amy Capolupo, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Well-being
We proudly recognize Zion Moore, Assistant Director of Inclusion & Community, for her outstanding coordination of the Rainbow Welcome and Branch Out student events. These vibrant gatherings have created meaningful spaces for connection, belonging, and growth.
We also extend our deep appreciation to Amy Capolupo, Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Well-being, for her unwavering commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment. Her leadership continues to shape a culture where every voice is valued and every student feels supported.
Together, your work strengthens UM’s vision of inclusive prosperity, bringing diverse perspectives into conversation to build solutions that uplift us all. We appreciate you! — The Advisory Council on Inclusive Access and Success Executive Team
Ellie DeVos, Administrative Associate III, Department of Psychology
Griz Gratitude to our newly hired Administrative Associate III in the Department of Psychology, Ellie DeVos, who assisted for the past 3 months in submitting our important accreditation report to the American Psychological Association. New to our department and the role, Ellie was diligent, detail-oriented and a great collaborator. We're glad she's in our department! - Anisa Goforth
Laramy Angell, Banner AR Systems Analyst, Business Services
Many thanks to Laramy Angell in Business Services for taking care while setting up program and course fees, always being available to answer questions about fee charges and helping us navigate a fee change. I appreciate you! - Jen Geist-Quigley
Dara Tome, Accounting Associate, Maintenance Worker, School Physical Therapy/Rehab Sci.
Dara supports the DeWit RiteCare Clinicians by making credentialling tasks easy and fast! Thank you for your great support! - Jennifer Closson
Christophe Feichtinger, Maintenance Worker, Facilities Services
Sending our gratitude to Christophe Feichtinger! Christophe, the custodian for West Campus, takes great pride in his work, is highly responsive to requests, and always carries a positive attitude. Through his effort and attention to detail, he continually works to create a clean, welcoming environment for all students, faculty and staff. - John Freer and Tom Gallagher
Maryann Dunbar, Dakota Lajeunesse, Will Thompson, Jordan Patterson and Ben Nelson, Missoula College Student Success Team
Sending a Griz Gratitude to the Missoula College Student Success Team for the incredible work they do supporting students as they begin a new semester. Your guidance, encouragement, and care help ease the transition and set the foundation for student success. This amazing team, led by Director Jimmy Kendall, is making a difference. Jimmy, we are so grateful for the faculty workshops. Thank you, Maryann Dunbar, Dakota Lajeunesse, Will Thompson, Jordan Patterson, and Ben Nelson, for your work with students. - Tom Gallagher
Danny Gundlach, Grant Contract Officer, Office of Sponsored Programs
I'd like to recognize Danny Gundlach with the Office of Sponsored Programs for all of his support in managing our grants and ensuring that TRIO Upward Bound's new annual indexes are ready for use right away. Our six-week Summer Academy requires a tremendous number of procard purchases and this year I was able to redistribute all of these expenses directly to our grant! This wouldn't have been possible without Danny's vigilance and consistent work to improve our processes. Thank you for saving me many hours in U-Approve, which I can now spend helping my high school students. - Jonathan Carter
Jack Broadway, Compensation Management, HRS
I just wanted to take a moment to offer a heartfelt thank you to Jack Broadway. Jack works tirelessly to support everyone on campus with their compensation needs—and he does it all with incredible kindness, patience, and a truly helpful attitude. UM is lucky to have someone like Jack on our team! - Hannah Gimpel
Kristin Person, Director of Finance & Personnel, College of Education
Kristin is the key liaison between OSP and the College of Education and has been critical to getting student scholarships & stipends paid, submitting grant proposals, submitting and revising budgets, and the many other tasks that need done in the world of grant management. She has also been fundamental to strengthening ties between our departments. The crazy part is that this is only a sliver of what she actually does over the course of a work day! I have appreciated her commitment to seeing tasks through and to keeping a good humor along the way! - Daniel Gundlach
Scott Christensen, Brandyn Crist, Nate Adams, Tucker Webb, Travis Petty, David Opitz and Josh Truitt, IT Department
We would like to recognize and thank the IT Department and specifically Scott Christensen, Brandyn Crist, Nate Adams, Tucker Webb and Travis Petty and also David Opitz and Josh Truitt. They came and updated our audio/video in Curry #008 where we teach the majority of our graduate courses for Speech, Language Pathology. It was a very outdated system and the distance students were often struggling to hear. They went above and beyond in helping us transform that old system into something we are all excited to use. It will make a big difference in our program and the IT folks were amazing to work with. Thank you all so much! - Patrice Halverson
Summer 2025
Claire Phinney, Post Award Manager, Office of Sponsored Programs
Phinney responds with professionalism and thorough problem-solving suggestions to any issues that may arise. We appreciate her advice in helping make our grants department run more efficiently, while building a positive collaboration with OSP. Thank you, Claire. We are grateful for you. We know we can count on you in this constantly changing, crazy world of grants! - Tina Anderson, Associate Director of Finance and Grants
The entire team in Educational Initiatives and Innovation would like to extended our deepest thanks to the wonderful facilities crew that helped UMSummer, Specialty & Extended Programming, and the Instructional Design team move offices on Tuesday, May 27. Skip Conroy and his team showed up bright and early, ready to work. They were fast and efficient despite how hot it was in the building that morning. Because of their expertise, we were able to complete the move and get back to work by 10 a.m. We couldn't have done it without this amazing crew of laborers! - Coco Ponce, Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovation
The Office of Admissions would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone across campus who helped with the three Admitted Student Day events we hosted this spring. From Conference Services, Catering & Dining, Housing, the Office for Student Success, Student Financial Services, Parking, New Student Success, the DHC, GLI and each academic college that presented breakout sessions to every department and organization who tabled at one or all three of the events (and probably others we’re neglecting to mention.) We are so grateful to everyone for your help and support in making these events successful and helping us welcome over 600 guests to campus!
Spring 2025
Thank you to Norman in IT! There have been many technology changes on campus, and Norman is calm, reassuring, and can easily guide people to solution in just a few minutes. Thank you so much! - Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Professor, Speech Language, Hearing, and Occupational Science
On National Dispatchers Week, I would like to extend deep gratitude to our UMPD dispatchers. These colleagues work year-round, and around the clock, to support our campus community and keep us safe. - Paula Short, Associate Vice President of Campus Preparedness and Response
I would like to share a moment of gratitude to Lisa O'Neal and Caitlin Malinak in FCFC. I recently went through a challenging time, and they were so thoughtful and considerate. It's people like that who go above and beyond that make UM such a special place to work! - Megan Schultz, Project Manager & Research Associate, ITRR
I want to thank Pharmacy Practice professor Ian McGrane for doing an awesome job coordinating PHAR 572. I am a new faculty member in that course so he is doing the prep & organizing of it, with not much help from me. It is going smoothly. The students are learning a lot and seem to enjoy it. Strong work, Ian. -Jeannie Swain, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice
I would love to share my deepest gratitude to Mary Opitz, Financial Aid Specialist, for her love and kindness towards our students, employees, and families. The Financial Aid front desk would be amiss without her. - Nicole Krause, Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
We would like to recognize Julie Cahill, Associate Vice Provost for Educational Initiatives and Innovation, for her strong leadership and dedication to the VPEII office, UM Summer and UMOnline over the past few weeks. Thank you for stepping up and providing exceptional support and guidance to our teams while Vice Provost Shara Tscheulin is out on maternity leave! - Eric Vorkoeper, Tricia Hatfield and Becka Simons, Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Initiatives and Innovation
Thank you to Joseph Grady of Montana 10 and Bonnie Kurien of the Office for Disability Equity for supporting me and the students they serve during difficult times. Things may not be easy right now, but people like you sure make a difference. - Jennifer Schoffer Closson, Professor, Speech Language, Hearing, and Occupational Science
I would like to thank Lucy Logan, Director of Student Financial Services, for her help with candidates in the MT Teacher Residency program. Lucy has gone above and beyond to help these students and we are so grateful! - Anna Kiley, Operations Manager, Montana Public Health Training Center
I want to express my gratitude to Enrique Flores Groomer for all of the excellent work he is doing for the Faculty Senate. Your efficiency, attention to detail, insights into our processes, not to mention your kindness and sense of humor are so appreciated. You are such a tremendous addition to the UM community. - Lauren Fern, Outgoing Faculty Senate Chair and Assistant Professor and Math Discipline Lead, Missoula College
Fall 2024
The Registrar’s Office would like to extend our gratitude and a massive kudos to instructors and academic departments for an incredibly successful grade roll this fall. We had a historic record low number of missing grades: TWO out of 45,539! (To put this in perspective, five years ago, we had 135 missing grades.)
Thank you all for your continued collaboration! Let’s see if we can hit zero MG’s next semester!! - Cassie Williams, Grading and Records Manager, Registrar's Office
Thank you to Nick Tarter at the Registrar's Office for always having the answers or know where to find them. - Linda
I want to take a moment to recognize and express my heartfelt gratitude to Joshua Flores Groomer, Assistant Vice Provost, for his unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership at the University of Montana. What truly sets Joshua apart is his rare ability to make people feel seen and valued. Josh takes the time to reach out and let staff members know they’re doing a good job and that their efforts are recognized. His support reminds us all that what we do matters and that we’re making an impact.
Thank you, Joshua, for your endless efforts in creating a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and progress at UM. Your passion and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and we are all better for it! - Ashley Smith, College of Business
A round of applause for UM’s professional (and student!) visual media team for capping their football season, too. The photography and videography staff lug heavy equipment just about every weekend from August through December, in every temperature and wind speed—to shoot full games and then run back to the office to edit, late into the night. Their talent meets passion with high standards. Thank you for so beautifully telling the UM story. Great work to the Grizzly’s (visual content) 12th man: Tommy Martino, Ryan Brennecke, Austin Valley, Ian Frank and students Ella Palulis, Victor Perez-Carillo and Taylor Decker. - Jenny Lavey, Director of Content and Creative Strategy
Thank you ODE Testing Center, particularly Dahn Ebert, who makes it so seamless for my students to take tests (including this week's finals) in their center. That team is so organized and so communicative, and they make it easy. I appreciate their support ! - Heather L. Voorhees, Associate Professor, Department of Communication Studies
UM Athletics Staff Senators Gabi Toulon, Eric Elliot, and Grace Salmon have organized what’s shaping up to be an EPIC "Staff Appreciation" Day at the January 11, 2025 Griz Basketball Game. From the energy they bring to their roles to the creativity and dedication they’ve poured into this event; they’re showing us what it means to build a campus where inclusive prosperity truly thrives.
Gabi, Eric, Grace — you’ve set the bar high, and I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside you! Thank you for making this happen and for reminding us all how awesome teamwork really is. - Ashley Smith, Staff Senate Chair-Elect
A huge thank you to Jessica Robbins, Assistant Director for Student Care Case Management, for dropping everything to support our students in need! Because of a virus going around, there were no academic advisors available at the Undergraduate Advising Center. The student I was working with was in crisis. I contacted Jessica for assistance and without hesitation, she stopped what she was doing, walked from Turner Hall to Aber Hall, and offered the student assistance. She sat with the student, listened to their concerns, and together, they developed solutions for both the immediate issue and the future.
Jessica, your dedication, quick action, and unwavering support truly make a difference in our students' lives. We are incredibly grateful for your selflessness and commitment to helping others. You are an inspiration to us all—thank you for being such an amazing advocate for our students! - Rachel DeVore, Undergraduate Advising Center
Thank you Seth Hansen, Sam Stroebel and Ruby Zitzer, Master's of Counseling students and Montana Happiness Project UM Employee Group facilitators, for leading a wonderful series of meetings where we truly got to know our colleagues and ourselves. Your dedication to positive wellbeing will hopefully spread across campus and we wish you luck in finishing up your masters program. Thank you to OOLD for offering this program and continually investing in our professional and personal development. - Happiness Project UM Employee Group
I want to thank Jean Gee for representing the UM in our Brawl of the Wild event with Bozeman's OLLI, Today’s Collegiate Sports: How NILs are Changing the Game. Jean rocked it!!! - Teri Zanto, Program Manager, UM MOLLI
Huge thanks to our wonderful College of Business staff, Lyndsay Holcomb, Paige Ferro, and Ashley Smith for not just coordinating the recent campus visits of faculty candidates, but making them feel welcome! All three candidates expressed their sincere appreciation for the wonderful experience.
- Theresa Floyd, Associate Professor of Management
The University of Montana recently completed a Veterans Affairs audit with exceptional marks. The Military and Veteran Services Office in partnership with Student Accounts, Financial Aid, the Registrar, and Admissions consolidated and organized over 500 records to successfully complete the audit. This herculean task ensures UM is compliant with VA policies and safeguards the ethical education of our military affiliated students. - Patrick Beckwith, Director, Military and Veteran Services Office
Extending our gratitude to Jeff Meese for working after hours and over the Nov. 23-24 weekend to ensure classroom technology was ready following Friday's power outage. Your dedication ensures our mission to educate stays on track, and we are so grateful for your hard work! - Suzanne Tilleman, Dean, College of Business
The College of Business Faculty Evaluation Committee (FEC) Chairs have been truly outstanding this year. It has been a remarkable experience working with professors who acknowledge and show appreciation for the staff who coordinate high priority projects like the faculty evaluation process. I'd like to thank FEC Chairs Dr. Lisa Eiler, Professor of Accounting, Dr. Tim Manuel, Professor of Finance, Dr. David Firth, Professor of Management Information Systems and Dr. Justin Angle, Professor of Marketing, for their positivity and kindness. - Ashley Smith, Department Administrative Coordinator, College of Business
Editor's note: Griz Gratitude to all FEC Chairs and members who spend every October-November reviewing, assessing and discussing their colleagues' teaching, research and service as part of UM's faculty evaluation process. Your review is an indispensable part of UM's efforts to enhance academic quality and support our professors. And thanks to the administrative staff in the academic units, colleges, and Office of the Provost who coordinate and support hundreds of professors in the process each year.
We'd like to give a shout out to Paige Ferro in the College of Business. The Office of Admissions hosted two Griz Preview Days, with close to 200 guests each, in the Gallagher Building this fall. Paige was our contact for this space, and she was awesome! She was so easy to work with, helpful, detail-oriented, and really went above and beyond. We appreciate all of your help, Paige! Thank you! - Office of Admissions
Thank you to Andrew Williams from Facilities Services for helping the University Center with our little leak. You went out of the way to support our team and saved the day! - The UC Team