August 9, 2022

UM Colleagues,

As late August is a very busy time on campus, I write today to ask you to reserve time on your calendars for two events on Friday, Aug. 26: UM Fall Welcome and UM Family Fun Night.

Started last year as a re-envisioning of UM’s traditional State of the University Address, UM Fall Welcome is a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues over breakfast treats and coffee before a short Fall Update delivered by Provost Mahdavi and me. The event will run from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on the Oval in front of Main Hall, with the Fall Update starting at 9 a.m.

Like last year, raffle prizes and a limited number of Griz-branded items will be given out in recognition of your hard work this past year.

At 5:30 p.m. that evening, we invite you to come back to the Oval with your family members for UM Family Fun Night. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., this free event will include music, a variety of lawn games, sidewalk chalk and frozen treats.

At 6:30 p.m., a screening of “Encanto,” a 2021 release of Walt Disney Animation Studios, will begin on the Oval. While a limited number of Adirondack chairs will be available, please bring a picnic blanket, beach or camp chairs, pillows, etc. so you can enjoy the movie in comfort. The Food Zoo will be open until 6:30 p.m. for those wishing to purchase food, or you are welcome to bring a picnic dinner to enjoy. Free popcorn and drinks will be available on the Oval during the movie.

We are expanding UM Family Fun Night this year to include the whole UM community, including many of our new students who are participating in Griz Welcome and New Student Orientation during this time. We look forward to providing this opportunity for our newest Grizzlies to interact with UM employees and their family members. 

I look forward to spending time with all of you on Friday, Aug. 26. Until then, enjoy the rest of this beautiful Montana summer. 

Seth