November 17, 2021

Dear UM Family,

It is with great pride that we welcome the Montana University System Board of Regents to our campus this week. On Thursday and Friday, the Board of Regents will meet in the University Center to conduct their regular business, as well as host a joint session with the Montana Legislative Education Interim Committee.

This is our opportunity to show the regents and our state’s leaders the tremendous progress and growth that is underway at UM. We will use this unique opportunity to showcase our students, celebrate our faculty and staff, and tout the impact that our institution has across Montana.   

I want to thank the many people across campus who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare for this week’s events – from the UC team, our facilities and grounds crew, our marketing and communications team, our academic affairs team and UM Dining to my amazing colleagues in the president’s office, and many more. You have done, and continue to do, incredible work on behalf of this university. 

As soon as the regents wrap up their meeting on Friday, our attention will turn to another important event here on our campus on Saturday: the 120th Brawl of the Wild, our annual football game against Montana State University.

Of course, we will all be hoping and cheering for a Griz victory, and I want to encourage everyone to show your Griz pride this week by wearing your maroon and silver to campus. 

But Saturday is about much more than a game. Across our state and around the world, families and friends – many of whom are “houses divided” with strong ties to both schools – will gather not just to cheer on their respective teams, but also to continue important traditions and spend quality time together, recalling fond memories and building new ones. This game is a wonderful opportunity, regardless of the outcome, to celebrate our great state and the tremendous impact of the Montana University System.  

We are honored to again host this important game, but that comes with responsibility. So as we cheer for the Griz this week, I ask that we all celebrate our student-athletes and honor this momentous event in ways that are respectful and encouraging. While no one will be cheering harder for the Griz on Saturday than I will be, doing so does not require us to be disrespectful or rude to any of our fellow Montanans – on the field or in the stands – even if they’re wearing blue and gold. While the UM Family is passionate about winning, we are also a community committed to respect and civility. 

This is a great week for Montana, so let’s rise to the occasion and show our state what it means to have the heart of a Grizzly.

Go Griz,
Seth