Bear Necessities Newsletter

 

Bear Necessities Newsletter Logo

Bear Necessities #191 - 3/15/24

Happy Spring Break, DHC! The sun is shining, and our Roots Ensemble just played an awesome set on the Oval - what a great way to end the week!

I’m thrilled to announce that UM will present 2023 distinguished DHC alumnae Lily Gladstone with an Honorary Doctorate at this May’s commencement ceremonies. Raised on Montana’s Blackfeet Indian Reservation, this spring Lily became the first Native American woman to be nominated for the Best Actress Oscar. Lily won the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe awards – among others – for her powerful performance in Killers of the Flower Moon in 2023. Lily graduated with University Scholar distinction in 2008 and was the first Native American woman to win the DHC’s Presidential Leadership Scholarship; her award was sponsored by long-time honors friends and supporters, Charlie and Charlotte Oliver. Congratulations, Lily, on this singular honor. We are so happy for and proud of you!

This spring, Dr. Benes led the re-establishment of the Alpha Lambda Delta first-year honor society at UM. On Tuesday we inducted 48 new members, which included lots of DHC students. Call me old-fashioned, but I love a good ceremony! These lines from the program were especially resonant:

Your education is the means by which you learn to recognize the wonders of science, to appreciate the beauty of great literature and art, to use well our own language, to speak and read the languages of other peoples, to learn the lessons of history, to study the social and political forces of our world, and to discuss the thought and philosophy of other ages. Through these means, you can elevate the forces and standards of your generation and learn to live significantly.

Congratulations to the new initiates and thanks to Kylla for stepping up, once again! 

Kudos also go to Jaiden Stansberry who last week was tapped as UM’s third finalist for the 2024 Harry S. Truman Scholarship (joining fellow honors students Marin Kale and Jay Schutze). Jaiden is majoring in Forestry and grew up in Yosemite National Park, California. She served as ‘Chief Push’ for the Foresters’ Ball and won the DHC’s award for Excellence in Leadership.

The DHC co-sponsored the inaugural Spring Leadership Luncheon with partners from the UM Alumni Association, Missoula College, College of Humanities and Sciences, College of Business, Experiential Learning and Career Success, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Students enjoyed guided conversations (facilitated by Assistant Dean Cordingley) about leadership with experts at the top of their fields. Mayor Davis delivered the keynote. Our very own Riley Crews (sophomore Elementary Education major from Missoula) received one of two $250 scholarships from AAUW.

‘Luck of the Irish’ was the theme of this week’s Tea Time, which coincided with Pi Day (3/14); Andy ordered us special pies for the occasion. Our St. Patty’s Day theme included some pretty far-reaching and mildly mind-blowing conversation, thanks to some great questions courtesy of Emily Feiling and Julia Wynne. Do you believe in luck? Is it just a matter of probability? Is it all part of a grander plan? What’s the relationship between work and luck? How might you look for luck in your life? So much to consider, huh?

The Honors Student Association met on Thursday. Their service plans for spring include Free Cycles (3/30), International Wildlife Film Festival Parade (4/20), and River Clean Up (4/27). DHC Ambassadors gathered Wednesday with more great discussions led by Lauren, James, and Ann. Watch for more Ambassador DHC social media takeovers this spring.

Remember that today (March 15) is the deadline for DHC scholarships for continuing students. Applications are on the DHC’s Submittable site.

As we look ahead, the pace of the semester will continue to accelerate. Here’s just a bit of what’s in the hopper:

Katie, Peter, and I will host an information session for year two of the USDA-supported Justice Challenge project. The focus of our interdisciplinary colloquium, hack-a-thons, design challenge, and field experience will be Climate Justice. Come on out Tuesday, March 26 at 4:00 PM to find out more and to sign up for this unique opportunity.

UM’s Democracy Summit kicks off with ‘Donuts and Democracy at the DHC: 8-10 AM Wednesday, March 27 in the lounge. The day is packed with programming all over campus, and culminates with a Presidential Lecture from Harvard University’s Dr. Danielle Allen on ‘Bringing Democracy Back from the Brink: A Strategic Vision and Call to Action.’

Priority registration for honors students begins March 28. Andy and Bethany will lead advising workshops the 3/26-27 -- including a session in Knowles Hall for members of the Honors Living Learning Community.

March 28-29 is this year’s Western Regional Honors Conference in California, hosted by California State University, Long Beach. Katie, Andy, and I will be traveling with student presenters Jayden Beed, Sarah Hibbard, Trinity Holden, Nathan Kornick, Abby Sherwood, and Julia Wynne.

This morning’s hike up Blue Mountain was dark and brisk, but brightened on the way down with a gorgeous sunrise and my first birdsong of the season - the meadowlarks sort of serenaded us down the mountain - it was lovely.

And now, whether it involves a road trip, beach time, pet-sitting, homework, family visits, or just catching up on your sleep, I’m wishing you all a restorative (and fun) spring break. I leave you this time with a familiar Irish blessing.

 

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

 Winter photograph of UM oval and main hall with light snow and rainbow in blue skies