Student Affairs News
The University of Montana-Missoula
Summer 2006: Issue 1
MPACT Makes an Impact
S
Message from the VP
for Student Affairs
M
any times I am asked,
“What is the Division
of Student Affairs?” From
Enrollment Services to Career
Services, the University Center
to Curry Health Center, the
eleven departments of the
Division facilitate student
learning by providing high
quality programs, services, and
developmental opportunities.
We foster an inclusive campus
community so that students can
pursue their diverse academic,
career, and personal goals.
Currently, our Advisory Board is
stepping up fundraising efforts.
Our biannual newsletter will
bring you highlights of our
activities. We invite you to join
us as we ensure that all
students have the chance to
succeed.
Teresa S. Branch
adly, only 40% of Montana’s high school graduates
enter college. Many families don't know, or maybe
don't believe, that obtaining a college degree increases
one’s earning power dramatically. In fact, on a national
level, those with a college degree will earn about $1 million
more over their working careers than their counterparts with
high school diplomas.
Montana Partnering for Affordable College Tuition
(MPACT) is UM’s new initiative to educate Montana families
about the value of higher education and increase the
number of high school graduates who choose to attend
college. MPACT offers a need-based financial aid package
to in-state academically prepared students. President
Dennison, Vice President Branch, representatives from
Enrollment Services, other UM administrators and staff, and
UM faculty have been touring the state to promote this
opportunity.
The first students to receive MPACT financial aid
packages will attend The University of Montana beginning
fall semester 2006. Visit www.umt.edu/mpact or call
(800) 462-8636 to learn more.
IN THIS ISSUE
MPACT Makes an Impact
Funding Priorities for Student Affairs
Ask-an-Alum Program Expands Student Opportunities
Faculty Honored for Collaboration
Valuable E-text Technology Provides Access
Student Wins UM and State Employee Awards
Student Affairs Advisory Board List
Lewis and Clark Village Opens
Thank You to Our Donors
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Capital Campaign Includes Funding Priorities for Student Affairs
O
n October 1, 2005, The University of Montana and UM
Foundation announced the largest campaign in the
institution’s history, a $100 million comprehensive
effort to assure UM’s continued achievement in teaching,
research, and public service. The Campaign’s theme is Invest
in Discovery – Connecting People, Programs and Place.
Private funds are sought for:
·
·
·
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Student support and services
Endowed faculty positions
Academic program support
New and renovated facilities
DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS FUNDING PRIORITIES
Merit and Montana University System Honors Scholarships
Goal $2 million
Scholarships are a high priority at The University of Montana. General merit scholarships and targeted
scholarship programs allow the University to maintain high academic standards, keep more top students in
the state, and preserve Montana’s future leadership. The MUS Scholarship provides four years of paid tuition
and registration fees to at least one outstanding student from every high school in Montana.
Need-based Scholarships
Goal $1 million
UM is dedicated to providing all students who have a desire to earn a degree the opportunity to do so.
As government funding for higher education decreases, need-based scholarship support is more important
than ever. During the 2004 academic year, over 77% of UM students received some sort of financial aid, and
insufficient financial aid was the primary reason students left the University.
International Student Employment Incentive Program
Goal $25,000
Visiting international scholars enrich our campus and expose students of limited experience to today’s
global society. Unfortunately, UM is restricted by visa regulations from allowing foreign students to obtain
work study jobs. The Foreign Student Employment Incentive program allows UM departments to offer parttime positions to international students, providing similar financial and educational benefits as work study
programs.
Multicultural Alliance
Goal $25,000
Montana frequently receives low marks in its efforts to promote and celebrate diversity. The
Multicultural Alliance at UM strives to help counter that situation by sponsoring educational and entertaining
cultural events. Under the Multicultural Alliance, the campus affiliate of the National Coalition Building Institute
(NCBI) educates students about discrimination based on nationality, race, class, gender, religion, sexual
orientation, age, physical ability, job, or life circumstance and encourages students to explore solutions to
tough social issues.
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Student Affairs News
Ask-an-Alum Program Expands Student Opportunities
“A
lumni can really
help students see
the benefit of a university
education, providing motivation
and advice on how to make it
through successfully,” says Askan-Alum coordinator Sarah
Raymond. The Ask-an-Alum
program, begun in 1994 by UM
students, is now run by Career
Services in partnership with the
Alumni Association. The program
helps students focus on their
educational and career goals by
introducing them to UM alumni
employed in their field of interest.
Alumni contacts are particularly
useful to students, as they often
provide an insider’s perspective
of a specific company or
employment area.
A new on-line component
engineered by UM’s Information
Technology office enables
students to search a database of
more than 2,800 diverse alumni.
Searches may be sorted by
major, location, company name,
job title, or job responsibilities.
Personal contact information is
kept secure, and alumni may
choose whether a student can
contact them. Although the
service is not to be used for job
referrals, students may request
informational interviews, career
mentoring, or job shadowing.
For face-to-face interaction,
the Ask-an-Alum program hosts
informational luncheons throughout the year, where alumni speak
about their careers and answer
student questions.
Alumni may contact Career
Services at (406) 243-2022 for
information on how to participate
in the Ask-an-Alum program.
Funding Priorities (cont.)
The Center for Leadership Development
Goal $25,000
The Center for Leadership Development offers programs and resources to help students gain the
skills and experiences they need to become engaged and ethical leaders of tomorrow. The Center builds selfconfidence, increases self-awareness, and helps talented students envision and implement their goals.
Career Services
Goal $25,000
The travel and screening required to find qualified, motivated workers for entry-level professional and
managerial positions can strain corporate recruitment budgets. Similarly, job-hunting can be a daunting task
for the new college graduate hoping to land a challenging position in his or her chosen field without going
through an extensive travel and application process. UM’s Career Services annually serves thousands of
students and hundreds of employers by providing: career planning and counseling; national standardized
testing and assessment; workshops and outreach presentations; resume, interview and job-search
assistance; on-campus interviews; career fairs; alumni mentoring; and job posting services.
Career Services seeks funds to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of students and
employers. Naming opportunities allow a sponsoring business or corporation to reach students through
Career Services—one of the most visible and widely-used offices at UM.
Summer 2006
3
Faculty Honored for Collaboration with Student Affairs
C
ollaboration with faculty is crucial to the
Services for Students, said, “Steve has managed to
success of Student Affairs. Every year,
balance academic standards with accessibility.
dedicated faculty provide outstanding
When Steve had a student in his class who asked
service to students by supporting and participating in
for unreasonable modifications, he interacted with
Student Affairs programs. Last
the student in a humane and
Steve Gaskill receiving the special
month, Vice President Branch
supportive manner. Steve found
recognition award from President
Dennison and VP Branch
honored ninety-nine faculty at
the student tutors and
the third annual faculty
encouraged him to succeed with
recognition reception.
reasonable accommodations.
Steve Gaskill, associate
Now, that student is graduating.”
professor of applied exercise
Steve’s activities with Student
physiology in the Department of
Affairs include participation in
Health and Human Performance,
orientation, collaboration with
earned special recognition for
Campus Recreation, and
his generous and effective
involvement in the Retention Task
support of students. To illustrate
Force.
Steve’s extraordinary dedication,
Student Affairs directors
Jim Marks, director of Disability
nominate faculty each year.
Valuable E-Text Technology Provides Access
A
lmost 900 students
with disabilities are
currently enrolled at
The University of Montana. Those
who are blind, those with sight
impairments or dyslexia, or those
who have ADD or ADHD often find
reading printed text a substantial
barrier to academic success.
Luckily, Disability Services for
Students (DSS) is a national
leader in print to e-text conversion
in higher education. Used by print
disabled students, e-text is an
electronic format that provides
“spoken” text.
A $20,000 grant from the
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Student Affairs News
Gallagher Western Charitable
Foundation has just made DSS’s
job easier. The funds enabled the
purchase of a high-speed duplex
scanner, conversion software, and
additional handheld Book Port
reading machines. These items
streamline the e-text conversion
process and provide convenient
delivery, ensuring that students
with print disabilities have access
to classroom texts.
Ed Milburn, 81-year-old text
conversion expert, oversees the
process. Here’s how it works: After
a student requests text
conversion, DSS makes sure the
book isn’t already available in
electronic format through online
services such as Bookshare. Then
DSS sends a letter to the
publisher and proceeds to convert
the book. The book’s binding is
removed and the loose pages are
sent through automatic scanning
machines. Under Ed’s direction,
student employees meticulously
format the text so that it can be
easily and accurately read by the
reader software. Lastly, the hard
copy is rebound with a spiral
binding and returned to the
(Continued on page 8)
Student Wins UM and State Student Employee Awards
F
or the past four years, the winner of the
UM Student Employee of the Year has
won the State of Montana Student
Employee award. Perhaps that’s because the
University values and nurtures its student
employees, offering them real work responsibilities.
Most students take advantage of these opportunities
for growth and really flourish, developing career
skills and enthusiastically tackling challenges.
This year’s winner of both awards is Tom Fite,
portal developer in the UM Information Technology
office. Through his upbeat energy, creativity, and
professionalism, Tom has enhanced The University
of Montana’s reputation and increased its
technological capacity. He has been instrumental in
helping UM emerge as an innovative leader in the
national portal consortium. Due to Tom’s
contributions, more grant funding has been awarded
to UM for collaborative software development and
support of consortium members.
“I know of no other department at UM, and no
development Gordy Pace. As for how he has
profited from his work with IT, Tom says, “Looking
back on my college career, I keep coming back to
one simple statement: you can only learn so much in
a classroom. More than anything else, the time I
have spent working in the Information Technology
office has prepared me for a professional career
once I graduate. I have benefited enormously. I also
know that the University has benefited because of
my work on the UM portal. It is such a win-win
situation for everyone.”
UM departments annually nominate employees
for the Student Employee of the Year award. The
winner is chosen based on criteria established by
the National Association of Student Employment
Administrators. Winners from the state campuses
are then entered into the statewide competition.
Tom received a $500 scholarship from Career
Services and a $50 check from the State.
STUDENT AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD
Christopher Warden (‘97), Chair
Alice Hinshaw (‘94), Vice Chair
VP Branch and Career Services student
employment coordinator Valerie Marsh present
Tom Fite with the UM and State Student
Employee of the Year awards
other university in the portal consortium, that places
so much trust and responsibility on a student
employee,” says director of applications and media
Carina Beck ('93)
Joycee Dozier
Dr. Udo Fluck ('93)
Alifiyah Galely ('94)
Pamela Hillery ('88)
Dr. Barbara Hollmann
Jennifer Isern ('89)
Scott Johnson ('81)
Jerry Lamb ('00)
Dennis Lerum ('84)
Frank Matule
Geannine Rapp ('92)
Bachchi Samahon-Oumar ('89)
K. Dale Schwanke ('68)
Senator Jim Shockley ('76)
Jon Swan ('03)
Nora Templer
Paul Tuss ('88)
Margaret Woo ('75)
Summer 2006
5
Lewis and Clark Village Opens
Lewis and Clark Village, UM’s first apartment-style housing for single, upper division and graduate students,
opened fall 2004. The thirteen-building, 462-bed residence is located on South Higgins Avenue near
Dornblaser, about one mile from campus. It offers a variety of furnished apartment styles, high speed
internet, a state-of-the-art security surveillance system, keyless entry, free shuttle service to campus, free
storage, and a community center. Cable TV and all utilities are included in the competitive rental rates. The
village is ADA compliant.
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
This listing contains the names of donors who have
contributed $100 or more to any designation within
the Division of Student Affairs from January 1,
2005 through March 31, 2006. We make every
attempt to accurately list our donors. Sometimes,
despite our best efforts, mistakes happen. If such is
the case, please contact Kathy Schaub at the UM
Foundation to allow us to apologize and correct our
mistake. (800) 443-2593 or (406) 243-4568.
ABN AMRO Services Company
Ronald and Debra Accomando
Steve and Carolyn Adams
Linda Almy
American Indian Education Foundation
Bart and Pam Anderson
Pete and Lynn Anderson
Apartment Store, Inc.
Andrew and Nancy Armstrong
Art Attic Incorporated
Arthur Partners
Loren and Kaye Auch
Marvin and Patricia Aune
David and Joan Ausman
Avista Corporation
Rob Bahrens
W.V. and Margaret Ballew
James and Geri Bann
Col. Ford and Marlys '62 Barrett
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Student Affairs News
Charles Bassett and Mary Jo Kuenster
Dr. Darlene Bates
Dr. Robert and Mary Battmer
Jon Beal
Ned '86 and Kimberlee Becker
Frances Behairy
David Bell
Ronald '70 and Jeanne '85 Bender
John and Oksana Bennett
Thomas Benson
Glenn Bergmiller
Robert and Doris Best
Blake Blackwelder
Philip and Katherine Blake
William and Linda Blanton
Mike and Bonnie Bogen
Edmund and Luellen Boland
Ted Boyd
John and Kathleen Boyle
Alan Bradley
Robert '65 and Beverly '63 Braig
Dr. Teresa S. Branch
Douglas and Margaret Brown
Martin and Jacquelin Brown
Brendon Burchard '99
Joesph and Amelia Burke
Edward Carroll and Josephine Burke
Scott '85 and Tana '88 Burke
Judith Burns '57
C. Burt Caldwell and Martha Smith
James Caras
William Caras
Joseph and Catharine Carruthers
A. and Joan Choremi
Charles and Ruth '51 Clark
James '52 and Kay Clinkingbeard
Joseph and Karen Coan
Cobb Foundation
Thomas and Barbara Cochran
George '65 and Susan '65 Cole
Barbara Coneski
Michael and Patricia Conlon
Conoco Phillips
Dr. Charles Couture ’69 and Randy Wood ’81
Donna Cote
Thomas '53 and Neva Cotter
Crawford & Associates, Inc.
Darcy Creevy
Bruce and Suzanne '64 Crocker
Dr. Robert and Delores Curry
William Dean '67
Reidun Decker
Phillip Guay '73 and Martha Des
Georges
Alfred Deschamps
Jay Deshpande and Patricia Scott
(Continued on page 7)
Michael DiLorenzo
Randall Dillard
DaJay Deshpande and Patricia Scott
Michael DiLorenzo
Randall Dillard
Daniel and Janet Doornbos
Joseph Dowling
Louis Dubay Estate
Michael and Patty Ducey
Kerry and Gwen Durkin
James and Connie Dysart
Donald and Margot Eason
William and Metha Edens
Morris Eisert
Bart and Judy Eisfelder
Emerson Charitable Trust
John and Patricia Endicott
Karen Erickson
John Etchepare
Exelon Matching Gifts Program
for Education
Mary Farland
Jennie Farley
Michael and Kathleen Farmer
Jodi Feist
Frances K. and Charles D. Field
Foundation
Donald and Judith Filipp
Financial Alternatives
M. Irene Finley '87
First Interstate BancSystem
First Interstate Bank
Charles Fitzpatrick
Brent Flewelling '02
Dr. Udo '93 and Nancy Fluck
James and Karin Flynn
Robert and Susan Folgate
Richard '64 and Maureen '64 Ford
Mark and Jill Friedman
Jeanne Funston
Gallagher Western Montana
Charitable Foundation
Grant and Elizabeth Galyardt
Dene and Sheila Gary
Dean Larry and Deslie '71 Gianchetta
Timothy Goedeker '99
Cynthia Graber-Zingmark
Robert Graham '25
Janice Gratch
Douglas and Lauren Graves
Danny Gray
Jeffrey Gray '79
Randall Gray '76 and Nora
Flaherty-Gray '74
Raymond and Mary Green
Stephen and Margie Grinnell
William '55 and Adrienne '55 Gue
Raymond and Laurie '74 Gundlach
Brad and Chris Habegger
Brian and Sharon Hagan
Carolina Hamshaw
Colleen Hansen
Myron '76 and Sharon '71 Hanson
Richard '73 and Natalie Harrington
Henry and Eleanor Harris
Stephen Harrison
Harrison Construction
Anthony and Cecie Hartigan
Laurence Haverhals
James and Bonita Hay
Haynes Foundation
David and Renda Heimbigner
Heisey Foundation
Michael and Linda Herrmann
Mike Heuring
Neal and Linda Hicks
Thomas '90 and Lynne '89 Himes
Gary '55 and Audrey '55 Hines
Ken and Kathy Hoffman
James and Wanda Hollensteiner
Dr. Bob and Dr. Barbara Hollmann
Neil and Candy '90 Holt
Dr. Harry '69 and Susan Hom
Alan Hyers
Albert Hyers
ITT Industries, Inc.
Christina Jennings
Thomas and Pamela '77 Joehler
Lawrence and Margaret Johnson
Joan Johnston
Laura Jones
Joseph M Dowling, CPA
KLT Foundation
Jon and Brenda Kaspari
Dr. David '68 and Sue Kearns
J. William '61 and Anita Kearns
Bradley Keats
James and Margaret Keller
Patricia Killackey
Kari Kimball
Charlie Knoepfler and Christy Kindom
Daniel and Christine King
John and Cheryl King
Cheryl Kingen
Larry and Sharon Kolb
Boyd and Susan LaFleur
Neal Laatsch
James and Cynthia Laduke
Richard and Willa '81 Lande
Melissa Lane
Michael Larson
COL Kenneth '63 and Dianne '65
Lawrence
Dr. Thomas and Alice Layne
Steve Roberts and Pat Leach
Guy Leadbetter '88
Nancy Leamond
Whitney Leibenguth '88
Roger and Dana Leopold
Dennis '73 and Angela Lind
Kip and Karen Linder
Robert and Paula Lindner
Tim '75 and Darla Lindsey
Jed '82 and Jorrun '84 Liston
Harry and Norma Longwell
Jo Lyons
MDU Resources Foundation
Craig and Elizabeth MacDonald
Marathon Oil Company
Steven and Julie Mariani
James '86 and Karen '83 Marks
Ron Marsh
John and Michele '92 Marshall
Roger '71 and Barbara Martens
Louise Matthews
Frank and Susan '65 Matule
David and Cheryl McBride
McBride Vision Clinic
Robert McCarty
Donald and Susan McConchie
Michael '72 and Mary McDonough
Timothy and Catherine McGinness
Debra McGowan
Maureen McIntyre
James McLeod '89
Donna Metcalf '35
Michael and Joanne Michals
Microsoft Corporation
Christian Miller
Sheldon and Elizabeth Miller
John and Cathy Milligan
Clifford and Lisa Milliron
Robert and Sue Minor
Missoula Downtown Lions Club
Dr. Donald Moen
William Moore and Patricia Hunter
Richard and Laurie Morrison
Jack '71 and Nancy Morton
James '81 and Bonnie '83 Mountain
Robert and Paula Munson
Robert Murray and Merry Gilbert
Bill Mytty
Kevin Mytty
Maria Naughton
Helen Nelson Estate '51
Donald Newport
Gib '60 and Sarah '60 Nichols
Alan and Nancy Nicholson
Nimbus Vision Clinic LLC
Roy and Paula Nirschel
Jerry '73 and Janice Norskog
William and Frances Novelli
Dr. Gary and Katherine '68 Nygaard
Kevin O'Connell
Ivan '50 and Marian '51 O'Neil
A.P. and Julia Ogburn
Kathryn Ogren '70
Jeffrey and Lynn Olesen
John '62 and Marilyn Olson
Melissa Oman Lane
Evelyn Osborn '32
Randall and Margaret Otte
P.E.O. Chapter A M
Ronald '58 and Judy Paige
David Pals
William '65 and Cheryl '66 Papesh
Sam and Margery Papich
Craig and Linda Patrick
John and Gail Paul
Kelly Paulson
Mary Paulson '65
Lore Perez
Patricia Raye Perry '69
Ray Peters
Dr. Michael and Gay Peterson
Jamie Phillips '79
Eileen Pinkerton
Laird and Julie Pisto
Port Polson Inn
John and Colleen Powers
Jay and Elizabeth Preston
Brentt and Linda Ramharter
Benjamin and Lynn Rassieur
Carl Rebich
Ralph '49 and Arlene Rees
Patrick '81 and Diana Risken
John Robideaux
Matthew Robinson
Frank Rodriguez
Rodney and Janice Rogers
Carl and Patricia Rosenleaf
James and Roseanne Rosenthal
John and Karma Rouse
Scott and Teresa Roussin
Ted and Deb Rozeboom
Keith and Nancy Rupert
John Rust
Steven and Lori Saltz
Philip and Marilyn Sarasqueta
Jeff Anderson and Elizabeth Scanlin '77
Edward and Jennifer Schall
Kathy Schaub '81
Chris and Ann Schiltz
Donald and Valerie Schmidt
Patricia and Dr. Stephen Schnall
Eric and Donna Schneider
Bernd Schulte '65
K. Dale '68 and Judy Schwanke
Dr. Tom '74 and Barbara '75 Seekins
C. John Seymour
Richard and Jane Shaine
Richard '69 and Laela Shimer
Bronson Shonk
John and Mary Siciliano
John and Carol Sieber
Philip and Elizabeth Simensen
Ronald '60 and Myrna '60 Simon
Robert '77 and Shirley '99 Simonson
L. Randolph Skidmore
Everit '66 and Nichali '65 Sliter
Tom and Ralene Sliter
Shana Smith '84
Soroptimist International of Missoula
William Spence
Kristie Stanhope
Mark Staples '71
Staples Law Firm, P.C.
State Bank of Townsend
Mike and Karen Stevenson
John '59 and Kay '59 Stipe
Joseph Stout
John Stump
Dr. John and Kay Sullivan
Steven Sullivan '73
Molly Swock
Greg and Jan Tannheimer
Dr. Clark Taylor
Allen and Amy Thieme
Bryan and Lisa Thomas
Nancy Thompson
William and Toni Thomson
Mark '88 and Anne Timmons
Bryan Tipp '85
Richard and Cynthia Trachy
Alan and Karen Traeholt
Dr. Douglas Traub
Gene '65 and Colleen Tripp
Dr. Donald and Dr. Lenore '54 Tsang
Bernie and Lisa Tuggle
John '64 and Mary Ellen '64 Turmell
Dr. Patrick and Deborah Turski
Karl Tyler
UM Bookstore
Tony and CleAnn Unden
University Faculty Association
UnumProvident Corporation
Warren '48 and Jane '42 Vaughan
William '70 and Kathryn '70 Veazey
Linda Vopicka
Joclyn Wampler
Christopher '97 and Lorelei '99 Warden
Dennis and Phyllis '64 Washington
Dennis and Phyllis Washington
Foundation
Richard and Sandra Webel
Ken and Kelly Weber
Dr. Kenneth '73 and Karen Welt
Western Excavating, Inc.
Ed Wetherbee
David Wheeler Estate '76
Whispering Pines Condominiums, LLP
William and Jeanne Whitlow
Kathleen Whittenberger
Dr. Virginia Wilhelm Estate '43
Eli Willcox and Marva
Mitchell-Willcox
Lynn Williams
Todd and Deborah Willis
Amanda Wilson
Maja Wilson
Shelby Wilson
Stewart Wilson
Kathryn Witkowsky '95
Dora Wood '41
Woodlakes Homeowners Association
Michael and Alberta Yalon
Max '60 and Harriet '62 Yandt
Wes Sprunk and Jody Zadra '64
Summer 2006
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C ONTACT U S
E-technology (cont.)
(Continued from page 4)
American Indian Student Services
Campus Recreation
Career Services
Curry Health Center
Dean of Students
Disability Services for Students
Enrollment Services
Financial Aid
Foreign Student & Scholar Services
Griz Card
Residence Life
University Center
University Dining Services
student along with a Book Port containing the downloaded
e-text.
Surprisingly, the vast majority of students who request
text conversion have not used the technology before. In
fact, many students are unaware of the service until they
speak with DSS’s assistant director Dan Burke. Dan says
that because disability stigmas still exist, some students
are reluctant to use the accommodation. However, e-text
is gaining in popularity. Students who have utilized the
technology are very pleased with the results.
You can make a donation to Student
Affairs through the UM Foundation
by visiting www.umt.edu/sa and
clicking on the secure link
“Giving to Student Affairs.”
Thank you for your support!
Phone: 406-243-5225
Email: ssprague@mso.umt.edu
Website: www.umt.edu/sa
Division of Student Affairs
University Hall 022
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
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Student Affairs News
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