UM, city, county to present at state-of-community event

The city of Missoula, UM and Missoula County invite all Missoula residents to a public conversation about the state of the Missoula community at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15.

Mayor John Engen, UM President Royce Engstrom and County Commissioner Bill Carey will lead the event for the Missoula community in the Montana Theatre in UM's Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center. The event is a departure from the traditional State of Missoula address hosted by the Missoula Chamber of Commerce in previous years.

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President appointed to Homeland Security council

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently appointed UM President Royce Engstrom to the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council.

This new council, composed of prominent university presidents and academic leaders, is charged with advising the secretary and senior leadership at the department on several key issues.

The new council underscores the department's commitment to working with the academic community. In this noteworthy role, Engstrom will provide advice and recommendations on issues related to student and recent graduate recruitment; international students; academic research; campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness; and faculty exchanges.

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Faculty honored for mentoring excellence

The Davidson Honors College at UM announced this year's recipients of the Paul Lauren Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor Award. The 2012 recipients are:

• Daisy Rooks, sociology assistant professor
• Edward Rosenberg, chemistry professor
• Scott Samuels, professor of biological sciences
• Tobin Shearer, history assistant professor 

This award recognizes UM faculty members who excel in guiding undergraduate students in their research projects through the Davidson Honors College. The award pays tribute to Regents Professor Emeritus Paul Lauren, who served as an exemplary faculty mentor to many undergraduates pursuing advanced research in history and other fields.

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Lecture series on Native health issues starts March 13

The first installments of the Native American & Minority Health & Cultural Competency Lecture Series are slated for Tuesday, March 13, at UM.

Dr. Gregory Holzman will deliver two lectures that day: "Public Health: Building Healthier American Indian and Alaska Native Communities" at 12:10 p.m. in Skaggs Building Room 169, and "Six Winnable Battles Toward a Healthier Community" at 6 p.m. in the North Underground Lecture Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.

Holzman currently serves as associate deputy director for the Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, an entity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Board-certified in family and preventive medicine, he worked in Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation before completing his second residency.

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Buddhism expert to present lectures at UM

A distinguished visiting scholar will give two talks about Buddhism on Thursday, March 15, at UM.

Dale S. Wright, the David B. and Mary H. Gamble Professor of Religion at Occidental College in Los Angeles, will deliver "Is the Buddhist Concept of Karma an Admirable Ethical Principle for Contemporary Global Society?" from 3:40 to 5 p.m. in the Law Building Pope Room. The lecture is an installment of the UM Philosophy Forum.

Wright also will give a lecture titled "Buddhist Wisdom and the Foundations of Zen Humor" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. that day in Gallagher Business Building Room 123. Both events are free and open to the public.

One of the world's leading authorities on Buddhism in general, and Zen Buddhism in particular, Wright has written numerous articles and published eight books, including "Philosophical Meditations on Zen Buddhism" and "The Six Perfections: Buddhism and the Cultivation of Character."

MMAC hosts lecture on 'Curiosity' exhibition

The Montana Museum of Art & Culture at UM will host a lecture by art and criticism Professor H. Rafael Chacon in conjunction with the exhibition "Curiosity: Selections from the Permanent Collection."

Chacon will present "Cabinet of Curiosities" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in the Masquer Theatre of UM's Performing Arts and Radio/Television Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

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Visiting artist to give lecture March 15

Visiting artist Anne Appleby will give a lecture on her work Thursday, March 15, at UM.

Her lecture will take place from 5:10 to 6 p.m. in Social Science Building Room 356 and is free and open to the public.

Appleby earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UM in 1977. She went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1989. She lives in Jefferson City, where she creates paintings that use light and color.

UM's School of Art hosts from six to 12 visiting artists each year with the goal of enhancing curriculum and enriching the community. Lectures are supported by the Jim and Jane Dew Visiting Artist Fund.

Panel discussion encourages dialogue on faith

The UM Day of Dialogue committee is sponsoring a panel discussion titled "Coexist: A Dialogue between Students and Leaders" from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15, in the University Center Theater.

The workshop will engage UM students, faculty, staff and administration in open dialogue about faith. The panel will include a community leader and student from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Panel discussions aim to promote understanding among different views and perspectives by exploring each individual's facts, ideas, emotions and beliefs.

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UM Allies Program hosts spring training sessions

The UM Allies Program will hold its spring semester training sessions from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, in University Center Room 331 and from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in UC Room 330.

All trainings are free and open to UM faculty, staff and administrators. Each session is limited to 20 participants, and registration is required. Call Adrianne Donald at 406-243-6029 or email adonald@mso.umt.edu to sign up.

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Events slated to celebrate AmeriCorps Week

UM's Office for Civic Engagement and Campus Corps, an AmeriCorps program offered through OCE, are hosting several events through Saturday, March 17, in honor of AmeriCorps Week.

The OCE and Campus Corps will host a potluck from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at The Loft, located at 119 W. Main St. The family-friendly event is open to all local AmeriCorps members, alumni and supporters. Members will share information and experiences about their perspective programs, and information on AmeriCorps in Montana and other opportunities also will be available.

On Saturday, March 17, a group will head to Missoula County Animal Control, located at 6700 Butler Creek Road, to volunteer to walk dogs and play with cats.

To RSVP to the potluck or to volunteer for Service Saturday, call OCE's Shanna Ungate at 406-243-5531 or email shanna.ungate@mso.umt.edu.

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Submit nominations for Greening UM awards

UM's Sustainable Campus Committee now is accepting nominations for the 2012 Greening UM Awards. A total of four awards will be given to nominees in the following categories: student, staff, faculty and administrator.

Nomination submissions should include the name, category and department of the nominee, and a short statement (fewer than 100 words) summarizing the nominee's most important contributions to campus sustainability. Nominators should include their name and contact information as well.

Email nominations to cherie.peacock@umontana.edu or asum.sustain@mso.umt.edu by Friday, March 23. President Engstrom will recognize award recipients during an Earth Day ceremony on April 20.

Nominate students, student groups for awards

The University Center Student Involvement Network at UM is now accepting nominations for several awards recognizing students and student groups.

Members of the campus community are asked to submit nominations for the Outstanding Student Leader Award, the Sentinel Service Award and the Americans with Disabilities Act Award. All UM students are eligible to be nominated.

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Forum to gauge interest in beekeeping courses

UM and Bee Alert Technology Inc. will host a forum on Wednesday, March 14, to gather information for basic and master beekeeping courses.

The forum will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 110 of UM's Interdisciplinary Science Building. The event is free and open to the public.

"This will be an informational meeting," said Jerry Bromenshenk, a UM biology professor and Bee Alert co-owner. "We are responding to requests for beekeeping courses. Our intent is to gauge interest and obtain input."

Bromenshenk said they hope to hear from Montana beekeepers and anyone interested in learning more about maintaining honeybee colonies. For more information call 406-541-3160.

Four UM students named Wyss Scholars

Catherine Berg, Nick Engelfried, Talasi Brooks and Hilary Eisen have been named UM's 2012-13 Wyss Scholars for Conservation in the American West.

The Wyss Scholars Program provides financial support to UM students who are committed to careers in Western land conservation through a federal or state land management agency or at a nonprofit in the region. It's funded through the Wyss Foundation, a private charitable foundation dedicated to land conservation in the intermountain West.

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ING consultant available for financial planning

A representative with ING (403b plan) will be on campus each Wednesday in March to assist faculty and staff with personalized options for financial planning.

Appointments are required for sessions, which will be held in University Center Room 215. Call 406-542-3148 to make an appointment.

President Engstrom's office hours

President Engstrom welcomes members of the campus community to meet with him to discuss issues and topics of their choice. Call 406-243-2311 or email prestalk@umontana.edu to make an appointment.

President Engstrom's scheduled office hours for spring semester are:

• Thursday, March 15: 1-3 p.m.
• Friday, April 27: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 30: 2-4 p.m.