History of the DHC

Since its founding in 1981, the Davidson Honors College (DHC) has emerged as a national model for the reinvention of public higher education. Distinguished by a commitment to academic innovation, professional development, and a welcoming community, the DHC provides opportunities for students to enhance their learning and leadership skills within, and outside, the classroom.

The Honors Program at The University of Montana began in a single office in Corbin Hall. Under the direction of Classics Professor John Madden, and with a part-time secretary, the Honors Program grew over the next decade from a few dozen to nearly 300 students.

In 1991, following a comprehensive planning process and approval by the UM Faculty Senate, the UM Administration, and the Board of Regents, the Honors Program was officially recognized as the University of Montana Honors College. Dr. Madden was selected as the College's first dean and the new University of Montana Honors College moved to a third-floor office in Main Hall. There, Dean Madden and the College's secretary/advisor received and worked with the increasing number of students interested in the opportunities the Honors College offered.

With support from UM alumni, Ian and Nancy Davidson, and generous investments from many other dedicated alumni and friends, the University of Montana constructed the Davidson Honors College on UM’s historic Oval. Dedicated in 1996, the Davidson Honors College, now home to over 500 students, included modern classrooms, the dean’s suite, and a welcoming student lounge. The Davidson Honors College’s welcoming environment and facilities have continued to make it a favorite location for campus events, guest lectures, classes, workshops, and receptions.

After Dean Madden’s retirement in 1998, the Davidson Honors College welcomed German Studies Professor and Chair of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Gerald Fetz as dean. Under Dean Fetz’s leadership, the Davidson Honors College developed its signature course, Ways of Knowing, and greatly expanded its course offerings across all UM areas of study. In 2003, Dean Fetz moved across campus to serve as dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences and the Davidson Honors College hired Assistant Provost Betsy Bach, Professor of Communication Studies, as Interim Dean. In 2005, Dr. James McKusick, Professor of English, was hired as Dean of the DHC. Under Dean McKusick, the Davidson Honors College student body grew to 700 and the DHC brought on its first full-time professional advisor.

In Fall, 2015, the DHC welcomed Brock Tessman as dean of the Davidson Honors College. Dean Tessman joined the Davidson Honors College after nine years at the University of Georgia. As Dean, Tessman launched the Davidson Honors College’s innovative Post-Doctoral Teaching, Research and Mentoring Fellows Program and engaging Career Development Program. During Dean Tessman’s tenure, the Davidson Honors College also become home to the University of Montana’s Climate Change Studies Program, the first degree-granting Climate Change Studies program in the nation.  Under Tessman, the DHC continued to grow student-run programs, including the QUEST Program, a partnership with the city of Missoula.

Dean Tessman left the DHC in 2018 to become Deputy Commissioner for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs. In 2023, he became President of Northern Michigan University. The DHC’s Director of Career Development, Katie Cordingley, served as Interim Director of the DHC for the academic year prior to Tim Nichols being hired in spring 2019.

Dean Nichols, fellow of the National Collegiate Honors Council, has worked to make initiatives such as teaching excellence, interdisciplinary course development, and curriculum revision college priorities. New honors traditions have been established, including annual Evening of Excellence and Medallion Ceremonies, in addition to weekly hikes, monthly tea-times, trivia and open mic nights, and a Friday newsletter, the Bear Necessities. The college’s Ambassador program was formed to help provide leadership for honors student recruitment and retention, and a Dean’s Student Advisory Council, to provide a students’ voice to the college’s programs and strategic direction. In summer 2020, Dr. Kylla Benes was hired as UM’s Director of External Scholarships and Fellowships. The DHC successfully adapted to the global COVID-19 pandemic through social distancing and by moving many courses and college operations to a virtual format. In fall 2021, the DHC celebrated 30 years of the founding of the Honors College and 25 years in its current facility. In spring of 2023, the DHC hosted the Western Regional Honors Conference, with a theme of Confluence: Join us on the River of Ideas; some 300 attended represented more than 30 different colleges and universities from 13 western states. In fall 2023, the Honors Living Learning Community moved into a newly refurbished Knowles Hall, complete with an honors classroom and shared offices for DHC personnel.