Today is the University of Montana's Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship — one of my favorite days of the year! More than 150 students (many of them DHC'ers) will be presenting posters and oral presentations featuring their capstone research and creative projects. I just wish I could clone myself and attend all of our students' presentations! Alas...
Concurrently, today is UM's Native American Griz Preview, welcoming tribal students from throughout the state for a full slate of activities leading up to the Kiyiyo Pow-Wow. I've enjoyed many pow wows in my life, but the Grand Entry here at UM — some 1,000 dancers strong — is truly remarkable — a not-to-be-missed cultural event. Come on out and support our Native American students and community members who have worked so hard to make the pow wow a success.
I'm delighted to share the news that DHC senior, ASUM Senator, and former student body president at Great Falls College, Heath Voy, has earned a competitive Critical Language Scholarship from the US Department of State. Heath, a Russian and Political Science double major, who's also earning a certificate in Global Leadership, will study Russian in Kyrgyzstan this summer. Heath studied ballet in Russia prior to the Russian-Ukrainian War, an experience that motivated him to promote diplomacy through cultural exchange. Congratulations, Heath!
Honors Grizzly Women's Tennis 'ace' Kelsey Phillips remained undefeated in Big Sky play with a pair of impressive singles wins and clinched the doubles point against Idaho State over the course of two matches for the Griz last weekend. She improved to 6-0 in conference singles and was named Big Sky Player of the Week. Way to go, Kelsey! Go Griz!
Earlier this week, we welcomed Peabody Award Winner and MacArthur Genius Fellow, Jad Abumrad, for an engaging President's Lecture and small group student Q&A session. Abumrad framed his insightful remarks on 'How to Talk to a Human,' emphasizing the power of social connection, a theme that was echoed in Tuesday's Democracy Summit.
Students in Love class this week discussed Cheryl Strayed's 'Tiny Beautiful Things,' while Introduction to Honors students presented their creative 'What it Means to be Honorable' projects. I also presented a mission statement workshop to Bethany's DHC Senior Seminar students.
I enjoyed conversation with the Executive Committee of UM's Faculty Senate on Thursday and am looking forward to the opportunity to present to the Senate in the fall on the many ways in which faculty can participate in honors. Also on Thursday, Donuts with the DHC was as fun as ever! Later that evening, Peter hosted Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes from Union Theological Seminar for a stirring presentation, leading into this weekend's Faith and Climate Summit.
Next week will be an especially busy one! Here's some of what's in store:
...Monday, 4/20, Dr. Benes will host the Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships luncheon at the Prescott House. Later that day, our WRHC traveling team will debrief on important takeaways from last week's conference in Las Vegas.
...On Tuesday, 4/21, student leaders will host our final — and always fun Trivia Night of the semester. Stay tuned for category updates!
...Wednesday 4/22, the DHC will host a Webinar for prospective students — in advance of college decision day, May 1.
...Thursday 4/23, we're combining our monthly Tea Time with a special reception for the seven(!) DHC'ers who were published in this spring's 40th anniversary of Western Regional Honors Council's arts and literary magazine, Scribendi. This awesome line-up includes WRHC award-winners Hanna Grass (poetry) and Kate Wendzonka (photography), along with Claire Bernard, Claire Lyle, Victoria Newmiller, Ella Rowland, and Lindsay Torres.
...Honors Student Association will elect new officers at their meeting on 4/23 @ 6:30 PM
...Next Friday, 4/24, 12-1 PM we're hosting a joint lunch meeting of the DHC Team, Dean's Student Advisory Council, and Faculty Advisory Council. The agenda includes a re-enactment of our WRHC student leadership presentation.
...Also on Friday, 4/24, we'll host a group of visiting students from Soft Landing Missoula!
There really is never a dull moment, huh?
Here's the semester's home stretch at a glance:
4/17 UMCUR — UM Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship
4/17 Native Griz Preview Day
4/17-19 Kiyiyo Pow-Wow
4/17-19 Faith and Climate Summit
4/21 Trivia Night
4/22 DHC Prospective Student Webinar
4/23 Scribendi Reception/Tea Time with Tim
4/23 Honors Student Association Officer elections
4/23 DHC at Dance Underground
4/24 Soft Landing Visit
4/28 Climate Change Studies Symposium
4/30 Spring Open Mic Night, hosted by Chris Holstine!
Spring is springing in Missoula (despite the occasional snow flurry). The Oval's green, leaves are coming on, trees are blossoming, and those favorite yellow bushes have returned to their springtime glory — they always remind me of my dad. Here is Barbara Crooker's Forsythia:
What must it feel like, after months of existing as bare brown sticks, all reasonable hope of blossoming lost, to suddenly, one warm April morning, burst into wild yellow song, hundreds of tiny prayer flags rippling in the still- cold wind, the only flash of color in the dull yard, these small scraps of light, something we might hold on to.
I say, here's to that 'wild yellow song' and those 'small scraps of light' --
