Happy Friday, DHC! After a gloriously sunny three weeks of October, a kind rain has settled in on Missoula this afternoon as UM welcomes some 700 students for Griz Preview Day. Bethany and our Ambassadors presented this afternoon. The Ambassadors, Lucille, and I even got to high-five Monte when he stopped by our table this morning. I love that bear!
Here's some exciting news:
Ephraim Mortenson — senior biochemistry major/English literature minor from Bozeman — has been named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship! Ephraim's a DHC Ambassador, peer mentor, Books with Bruce leader, and DHC student advisory council member; he has conducted research in UM's ultracentrifugation core, been a peer leader for undergraduate chemistry, and joyfully played stand-up bass in UM's Roots Ensemble and the River Ramblers. He attended the Western Regional Honors Conference, and last year he was one of two US representatives to the European Honors Council meeting in Oslo, Norway. Ephraim will be busy in the weeks ahead preparing for his interview in November. Please join me in congratulating Ephraim on this singular achievement! Woo-hoo!
Our Ways of Knowing students were treated Monday to a special contemporary presentation of Euripides' The Bacchae at Missoula's Roxy Theater. Based on the reviews, we may have a new DHC tradition on our hands!
Grazia and Owen co-facilitated DHC Ambassadors with a fun and creative activity, which culminated in a series of interpretive dances about favorite Missoula places. It was a hoot! Ambassadors also planned for today's Griz Preview and our upcoming honors webinar. Thanks for stepping up, team!
Introduction to Honors students wrapped up their Griz Read experience, shared roses, buds, and thorns, and began consideration of that all-important question for DHC students: what does it mean to be honorable? It's always a fascinating discussion. Music Professor Adam Collins joined Awe and Curiosity students to share his impressive artistry as a cellist and to offer deeper reflections on awe and music. Meyer and Nya led a terrific presentation, and Dr. Chesebro closed the sequence with reflections on Carlo Rovelli and his own experiences crafting an extraordinary series of chairs based on random numbers; it was brilliant.
Thursday began with a lively Donuts with the DHC, continued with our monthly student Lunch at the Lodge, and culminated in our reception for honors students in the Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. The reception included remarks from Dean Libby Metcalf, faculty introductions, student perspectives from Aidan, Elle, Ayla, Eben, and Owen, and lots of opportunities for connection and conversation among and between students and faculty. Next up in our fall reception series is the College of Health reception on November 5.
Today's Dean's Student Advisory Council meeting featured a wide-ranging discussion including topics such as AI, puzzles, marketing, the junior year, course options, resources, experiential learning, and a capstone support network. I am excited to work with the council this year as they advise, advocate, and take action on behalf of their fellow students.
Next week is the DHC's annual service project, Trick or Treat so Missoula Eats. Students (many of them from our Introduction to Honors class) canvassed this week and will be collecting non-perishable food items next week. Pickup is Thursday, October 29, beginning at 5:00 PM. Please be generous.
Here's a glance at the remaining weeks of the semester:
10/29 Trick or Treat so Missoula Eats
11/5 DHC/College of Health Reception
11/9 DHC Webinar/Scholarship Workshop
11/11–14 National Collegiate Honors Council, New Orleans
11/17 DHC Trivia
11/19 Tea Time with Tim and Graduate School
11/19 DHC at UM Theater and Dance's A Christmas Carol
I met the crew as they were coming off the Sunlight Trail/North Hills loop early this morning. Their happy chatter emerging from the dark, rainy trail made my heart happy.
For lots of reasons, I've been especially grateful for my friends this week. With gratitude, here is John O'Donohue's “For Friendship”:
May you be blessed with good friends,
And learn to be a good friend to yourself,
Journeying to that place in your soul where
There is love, warmth, and feeling.
May this change you.
May it transfigure what is negative, distant,
Or cold within your heart.
May you be brought into real passion, kindness
And belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them, be there for them
And receive all the challenges, truth, and light you need
