UM AWARDS PRESTIGIOUS PROVOST’S, DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIPS
MISSOULA – A talented group of first-year students will arrive at the University of Montana this fall as the Davidson Honors College Provost’s Honors Scholars and Dean’s Leadership Scholars.
The scholarships are among the most prestigious awards for incoming students in UM’s Davidson Honors College and significantly reduce the cost of attending UM.
Provost’s Honors Scholars are awarded to students around the nation based on academic performance, public service, leadership, personal qualities and potential for future impact. Based on the same criteria, Dean’s Leadership Scholars are recognized for academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and potential.
The students hail from across Montana, Alaska, Virginia, New Mexico, Washington, California and more. They will study diverse fields ranging from forestry to physics, finance, pharmacy and more.
DHC Dean Tim Nichols said this year’s incoming students are accomplished scholars, athletes, artists, scientists and leaders in their schools and communities.
“The academic and co-curricular achievements of this class are exceptional,” Nichols said. “We are thrilled to welcome them to the Davidson Honors College, where they will be surrounded by other talented, motivated students for an elevated, enriched and enlivened UM education.”
The class of 2023 Provost’s Honors Scholars are:
California
Kelly Cantrell of Forest Hill, California, will study forestry. Cantrell won an Environmental Science FFA Proficiency Award, worked in her community garden and was a member of her high school forestry team. She enjoys skiing, mountain biking and hiking and is excited to explore Montana.
Idaho
Brooke Odenthal of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, will study finance and accounting at UM. She is dual-enrolled through North Idaho College and a member of many service clubs through both schools. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, student council, Rotary club and Interact. She also is president of Coeur d’Alene High School’s Key Club and co-chair of the marketing committee. Outside of school, she loves spending time with my friends and family, skiing, hiking and running. She also enjoys traveling to new national forests and parks.
Montana
MacGregor Adkins of Kalispell, Montana, is interested in a degree in the health sciences or political science. Adkins has spent meaningful time volunteering in the community, participating in various school activities (including speech, debate and drama) and pursuing leadership opportunities. He was student body president at Glacier High School and two-time captain of the cross-country team.
Garrett Brunner of Belgrade, Montana, is interested in business, statistics and political science. He is an Eagle Scout and a member of the speech and debate team. He also has maintained trailheads working with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust. Brunner enjoys hiking, skiing, reading and playing Magic with friends.
Maren Elliott of Helena, Montana, is interested in music (violin performance) and business. Elliott formed a service club called Helping Helena in response to needs in her home community. She is passionate about the arts and enjoys reading, trying new foods and spending time with family and pets.
Emmary Faerber of Kalispell, Montana, is interested in exploring different majors in education, pre-law, economics and world languages. She is a full International Baccalaureate senior at Flathead High School. Faerber has participated in various activities, including speech and debate, tennis, theater, Model United Nations and the international language club. She is an all-state debater and a five-time honors student.
Serena Fink of Billings, Montana, is interested in physics and astronomy. At Billings West High, she participated in various music ensembles and swim team. In her free time, she enjoys photography, playing saxophone and bagpipes, archery, reading about neuroscience and various outdoor activities.
Delaney Hall of Bozeman, Montana, will study international business at UM. She hopes to pursue community engagement opportunities – especially those that support children. She participates in Distributive Education Clubs of America; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; and volunteers for a local nonprofit combating childhood food insecurity. Outside of school, she enjoys being with her friends and family, as well as spending time outdoors.
Noah Roberts of Great Falls, Montana, is interested in studying computer science at UM and currently has several coding “side projects” under his belt. He loves music, the outdoors, travel and obscure, vintage technology. He is an Eagle Scout, 4.0 honors student, a member of National Honor Society and student council member. Roberts also is active in theater and orchestra. Additionally, he studies German and American Sign Language.
Gwen Thompson of Billings, Montana, will study wildlife biology at UM. She likes birding and photography and hopes to work with animals and the environment. She is a patient safety attendant at Billings Clinic. Thompson plays oboe, English horn and baritone saxophone in her school’s symphonic and pep bands, runs cross-country and is on a local alpine ski team.
New Mexico
Patience Martinez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is interested in studying paleontology at UM. She has volunteered at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, won state science fair awards and once raised $500 for the new Mexico Autism Society by selling recycled crayons. Outside of academics, she enjoys creating and sewing cosplays, reading and attending comic conventions.
South Dakota
Finn Riley of Spearfish, South Dakota, is interested in physics. He is active with his robotics team, as a math tutor and singing with the Spearfish Concert Choir. Riley’s interest in gaming inspired him to teach himself Blender, which led to a job creating 3D animations for a Roblox content developer. His work with 3D modeling led to an independent research project with a nuclear physicist who needed 3D models of particle accelerators that could simulate their operation. With this background, Riley is interested in exploring majors related to computers, robotics and space. He’s fascinated with both the technological process of moving humans toward space and the philosophical questions we need to answer in order to get us there in a healthy way.
Texas
Jaxon Caufield of New Braunfels, Texas, will study wildlife biology at UM. He was born in McCall, Idaho, among the sky-poking ponderosa trees and glistening Payette Lake. He is looking forward to returning to the Rockies for his Davidson Honors College/UM experience. While in high school, Caufield ran cross-country, volunteered with the Humane Society and was vice president of National Art Honor Society.
Virginia
Elle Magnuson of Alexandria, Virginia, will major in parks, tourism and recreation management at UM. She is part of the rowing and rock-climbing teams and dance program at her high school. Magnuson is on her school’s Discipline Committee, Activities Committee (vice president) and Black Student Association. She also works as a resident assistant in the freshman dorm. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her friends and painting.
Wisconsin
Ava Lamers of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, will study kinesiology at UM, with a goal of entering a physician assistant or doctoral physical therapy program. As a three-sport athlete, Lamers has always had a great interest in the human body and its capabilities. She was designated captain and earned All-Conference honors in volleyball, basketball and soccer. She plays AAU basketball, club volleyball, and both club and Wisconsin’s Olympic Development Program soccer. She is ranked second in her class and is a member of the executive board of student council, National Honor Society and Link Crew. She also is an AP scholar, Hodag Empower peer mentor and community volunteer.
The class of 2023 Dean’s Leadership Scholars are:
Alaska
Calista Ousley of Palmer, Alaska, is a pre-engineering major interested in the environmental sciences. In high school, she was involved in music, athletics and leadership, as well as advocacy around health care and suicide prevention. Ousley intends to play volleyball at UM.
British Columbia, Canada
Kiera Hansen of Fernie, British Columbia, is interested in journalism. She was appointed to the Southeast Kootenay Student Advisory Committee for Leadership for the past two years. She was a competitive swimmer at the provincial and state levels. When she's not swimming, Hansen is a Special Olympics swim coach, an age group swim coach and a national lifeguard. She also enjoys spending time with horses and learning about different cultures and people’s stories, especially if they involve social justice or sports.
California
Ashley Rossen of Oakhurst, California, will study wildlife biology at UM. She has been involved in her FFA organization as chapter president and as goalkeeper and captain for her school’s varsity soccer team.
Minnesota
Margaret Dammann of Ely, Minnesota, is interested in forensic anthropology, criminology and biology. She has been involved in band, school musicals, NHS, student council, science fairs, speech, dance, swimming and the Slovenian club. She is also an active member of 4H. Dammann was her school’s female nominee for the Minnesota High School League’s Triple A award (arts, academics and athletics). She loves to swim and to explore the woods and to spend time inside reading, drawing, or obsessing over cars and engines.
Montana
Alex Bloomgren of Great Falls, Montana, is interested in physical therapy. At Great Falls High School, she was on the basketball, swim and softball teams. She was voted “Most Valuable Player” during a 2022 state championship. She is a third-generation Native American graduate.
Hayley Bouchard of Great Falls, Montana, is interested in music, history and theater. She loves the arts and is looking forward to going to UM to pursue music education and theater, specializing in cello. She looks forward to changing the world through music. Bouchard participated in the Great Falls Leadership High School.
Olivia Kohn of Butte, Montana, will study journalism at UM. She enjoys appreciating nature – from hiking to photography. She joined the Montana History Club as a freshman and through it has enjoyed social and volunteer opportunities, such as serving dinner at the Butte Rescue Mission, dancing the dragon in the Chinese New Year parade and putting up the nostalgic Meaderville Christmas display.
Kat Machek of Missoula, Montana, will major in music education and piano performance. Her passion in life is music, and she earned All-State Band honors. Machek plays piano and multiple woodwind instruments and enjoys other hobbies, including reading, gardening, hiking and skiing. She participated in UM’s SEA Change summer camp.
Hope Morrison of Polson, Montana, served as debate captain and was a local government intern with the Lake County commissioners. She also has participated in yearbook, tennis, debate, student government and Key Club.
Ramzie Smith of Billings, Montana, is interested in pre-pharmacy and chemistry at UM. At Shepherd High School, she participated in volleyball, cheer, NHS and student council. She lettered in volleyball all four years of high school and is vice president of the National Honor Society, as well as senior class president. She is a barista at Starbucks and coaches a club volleyball team. She likes to spend time with family and friends, read, paint and be outdoors.
Seamus Sullivan of Great Falls, Montana, will major in biology to become a physical therapist. He is involved in track and field, in which he throws the javelin and runs sprint events. He is a member of National Honor Society and senior class secretary. Outside of school, Sullivan plays baseball as an outfielder for the Great Falls Legion Chargers. He also loves to fly-fish and spend time with my friends.
Cora Stone of Seeley Lake, Montana, is interested in international relations, climate change studies and environmental studies at UM. Her passions include biking, traveling and “anything that involves a new challenge.” While in high school, Stone was a Nordic ski coach and traveled in Peru. She also participated in an Environmental Vietnam Exchange Program through UM’s Mansfield Center.
Washington
Bayley Benson of Colville, Washington, is interested in health sciences, the humanities, biology and sports medicine. She is driven by challenge and inspired to learn. As a student athlete, Benson achieved academic and athletic excellence with a proven work ethic. She has been exposed to diverse cultural experiences and several opportunities to better her community. Moving forward, she aspires to enter an environment that supports her academic and personal goals.
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Contact: Tim Nichols, UM Davidson Honors College dean, 406-243-2534, timothy.nichols@mso.umt.edu; Kaetlyn Cordingley, DHC assistant dean, 406-243-2579, kaetlyn.cordingley@mso.umt.edu.