Spring 2023

Dylan Yonce was born and raised here in Missoula, MT. She knew she wanted to study history after a positive influence from her history teacher at Hellgate High School. Dylan is a graduating senior and Presidential Leadership Scholar at UM’s Davidson Honors College where she is studying history. Within the History Department, Dylan is particularly interested in the history of the American West and the environment. In particular, she hopes that her research can inform Western communities on the harms and injustices of colonization and environmental degradation to cultivate stronger, more equitable communities for the future.

Outside of her typical course load––which includes a unique Environmental History class with Professor Eric Zimmer in which students are assisting in a field inventory project for the Montana Natural History Center here in Missoula––Dylan found inspiration for her own research in a class last semester with Professor Leif Fredrickson. Dylan’s research focuses on the life and legacy of Dr. Morton J. Elrod, UM’s first Biology Department chair. Elrod was a conservationist and was responsible for the development of the Flathead Biological Station on Yellow Bay, as well as the land acquisition for what would become the National Bison Range. Her paper explores the key ways in which conservation advocacy during the early 20th century supported and continued the long history of Indigenous land dispossession by the United States federal government and white settlers. In addition to his work as a conservationist, Dr. Elrod was also a prominent eugenicist. Dylan’s work attempts to make sense of Elrod’s interest in and promotion of eugenics, and how the politics of conservation and eugenics worked in tandem to remake the landscape of the American West during the 20th century.

After graduating in May, Dylan is moving to Naknek, AK to work for the family fish company, before returning to UM for a post-baccalaureate certificate in GIS (Geographical Information Systems). From historical research to policy and urban design, Dylan believes that we can use history and modeling together to consider how spaces, cities, etc. are designed and therefore how we can make them more accessible to more people. Dylan hopes to eventually pursue a PhD in History or Library Sciences, but for now, is content preparing for graduation and a new experience in Alaska.