Research

About Alumni

Distinguished Alumni

Distinguished Alumni

Meet five exceptional alumni who boldly embody the spirit of UM through leadership.

Around the Oval

Recent UM News and Highlights

Recent UM News and Highlights

Recent UM news and highlights
UM Main Hall

Clocking In

UM's carillon bells ring for high notes on campus
Griz Nation

Griz Nation

Grizzly Athletics shares how the pandemic impacted UM student athletes
A UM student in a face mask in a lab

UM Responds to the Pandemic

UM responds and adapts to COVID-19 with innovation, creativity and compassion. 
UM Main Hall

Clocking In

UM's carillon bells ring for high notes on campus
Griz Nation

Griz Nation

Grizzly Athletics shares how the pandemic impacted UM student athletes
SEA Change logo

Be a Part of S.E.A. Change

Learn how you can be a part of S.E.A. Change!
President Seth Bodnar, UM administrators and students pose for a photo on Wall Street

Clocking In

News from around campus and beyond
Environmental studies Professor Neva Hassanein

Awards and Accolades

Accomplishments from UM faculty, researchers and students
Awards and Accolades

Awards and Accolades

Recent accomplishments from around campus
UM Researchers Combat Nation's Opioid Addiction

UM Researchers Combat Nation's Opioid Addiction

UM’s pioneering opioid vaccine lands $3.3 million National Institutes of Health grant
UMAA Highlights Grizzlies of the Last Decade

Grizzlies of the Last Decade

Four exceptional alumni who boldly embody the spirit of UM through leadership
Women attend suffrage rally in 1900s

UM Launches S.E.A. Change Initiative

UM effort commits to promote societal change that empowers all women
close-up of gloved hands working with vials in a lab

Researchers Find New Insights on Bacterial Viruses

The journal Science publishes paper about UM study of how bacteria cause infections
UM's AIBL chapter receives its award at the national conference

Awards and Accolades

Recent accomplishments from around campus
President Seth Bodnar speaks at the November Board of Regents meeting in Missoula.

The President’s Perspective

A message from Main Hall
Regents Professor Anna Prentiss

Archaeologist Earns Highest Professor Rank

Dr. Anna Prentiss named UM’s 12th Regents Professor
2018 Baucus Leaders

Grant to Send More Interns to Washington, D.C.

$1M Endowed Grant to Fund 10 Students to Intern in DC Every Summer
Students and researchers stand outside a plane that contains a laboratory.

UM Chemist Takes Students on a Wildfire Ride

Students Aboard Flying Laboratory Study Composition of Wildfire Smoke
UM Lands $10M Contract to Fight the Flu

UM Lands $10M Contract to Fight the Flu

Researchers to Use National Institutes of Health Award to Develop Universal Vaccine
Notable & Quotable

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes
The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

UM news by the numbers
UM President Seth Bodnar finishes the Missoula Marathon

The President’s Perspective

A message from Main Hall
“Scene near Douai: Children” by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

‘Copper King’ Art Arrives at UM

Works from famous painters now belong to Montana Museum of Art & Culture’s Permanent Collection at UM
The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

UM news by the numbers
Notable & Quotable

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes
Notable and Quotable

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes from around campus
The Bottom  Line

The Bottom Line

Significant numbers, statistics and rankings regarding UM

Five Receive 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award

The outstanding accomplishments of five UM alumni are being recognized with the University’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Notable & Quoteable

Campus notes and faculty quotes from around campus

The Bottom Line

Significant numbers, statistics and rankings regarding UM
Biologist Doug Emlen in a scene from “Nature’s Wildest Weapons: Horns, Tusks and Antlers” (Photo by Stuart Dunn)

Wildest Weapons

UM biology professor stars in BBC’s ‘Natural World’

Wolf lichen (Letharia vulpine), a lichen species studied by a team of UM researchers, show that some of the world’s most common lichen species actually are composed of three partners, not the widely recognized two.

UM Research Unveils New Player in Lichen Symbiosis

Researchers at UM find that some of the world’s most common lichen species actually are composed of three partners – not the widely recognized two

The Bottom Line

Campus notes and faculty quotes from around campus

UM Foundation Sets Fundraising Record

UMF brings in more than $50 million for third straight year

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes from around campus
Ryan Bell

Facetime: Ryan Bell, M.F.A. ’14

Get to know Fulbright-National Geographic Fellow Ryan Bell, who earned his M.F.A. in creative writing from UM
President Royce Engstrom prepares a crystal sample for the state-of-the-art X-ray diffractometer inside the lab of Assistant Professor Orion Berryman.

President's Perspective

A letter to readers from UM President Royce Engstrom

UM Creates New Health and Medicine Initiative

Montana will need 40 percent more health care workers in the next decade, and the new UMHM is designed to help
Ya Ha Tinda elk herd

UM Professor Continues World’s Longest-Running Elk Study

Hebblewhite receives $435,000 grant from NSF to continue a fifteen-year study of migratory elk in Canada

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes from around campus

The Bottom Line

Significant numbers, statistics and rankings regarding UM
Allison DePuy, left, of Inspired Classroom; Brian Kerns, an instructor at Missoula College; and Kelly Barton, a senior scientist at Missoula’s Rivertop Renewables, speak to classrooms across Montana from a Missoula studio as a part of Montana STEMFest.

STEMFest Connects Professors, Pros with High Schoolers

Virtual conference links high school students with industry representatives and academic experts in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Syrian refugees arrive at Dortmund Central Station in western Germany last summer. At the peak of the past year’s refugee crisis in Europe, it was reported that almost 10,000 people a day sought asylum in Germany. (Photo by Shane Thomas McMillan)

Documenting History

UM students to report on Syrian refugee movement in Germany

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez

UM Hosts Major Educational Conference

Hundreds gather to focus on important, timely topics in higher education

UM Professor’s Animal Weapons Book Earns Major National Award

Emlen honored for book, teaching skills

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes from around campus

The Bottom Line

Significant numbers, statistics and rankings regarding UM
UM chemistry Professor Mike DeGrandpre and Sunburst Sensors CEO James Beck hoist the trophies the team claimed for winning the XPRIZE competition.  (Photo courtesy of Mike DeGrandpre and Sunburst Sensors)

Making Waves

Sunburst Sensors device takes home prestigious XPRIZE for measuring ocean health

The UM School of Law officially became the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana as a result of a  $10 million donation from Alexander “Zander” and Andrea “Andy” Blewett of Great Falls.

'Wonderful Generosity'

Blewett family's $10 million gift transforms UM School of Law

Jim Elser and Jack Stanford

Biological Station Hires New Director

Internationally renowned freshwater ecologist Jim Elser named next director of century-old bio station

The Bottom Line

Significant numbers, statistics and rankings regarding UM
UM student researcher Chantanelle Nava uses UM’s 0.7-meter telescope at Mount Hopkins, Ariz., during testing.

Across the Universe

UM’s new telescope offers students the opportunity to reach for the stars

UM Professor Brent Ruby and a team of researchers found that eating fast food in the right amounts can provide the same potential for muscle glycogen recovery as sports nutrition products. (Photo by Tom Bauer/Missoulian)

Moderation is the Key

UM study finds fast food just as effective for recovery as sports supplements

Family Medicine Residency Program Excels

UM program earns  highest level of accreditation

UM Regents Professor Richard Bridges

Brain Disorder Research Moves Toward Clinical Testing

Research team moves closer to bringing new drug to market

UM Student Wins Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Dickson claims one of only 260 awards nationwide

Notable & Quoteable

UM has been selected as Montana’s host site for First Folio! The Book that Gave us Shakespeare, a national traveling exhibition of one of the world's most treasured books.

The Bottom Line

Significant numbers, statistics and rankings regarding UM

The Bottom Line

UM’s ranking among universities worldwide by Times Higher Education World University Rankings

Record Year for UM Fundraising Means More Scholarships for Students

Private support of UM reaches an all-time high this year
Patrick Memoli, an employee at Rivertop Renewables and UM graduate, checks for spotting on glasses in one of the company’s Missoula labs.

Charging Ahead

Rivertop Renewables lands $26 million in investments

In this photo taken by UM student Kaci Felstet, Suhani Vithar fills up the water buckets for the day. Her family lives in a slum called Wadarvadi in Pune, India. The water is only turned on for a couple of hours in the morning, so every morning is spent making sure they have enough water to get through the day. Suhani was one of the many people Felstet and other UM students met on their study abroad trip.

Striving for Excellence

Fund changes lives, one opportunity at a time 

More than 1,000 boxes of former Senator and current Ambassador to China Max Baucus’ papers recently were donated to UM.

Baucus Donates Official Papers to UM

Engstrom says donation advances goal of building a University focused on leadership, distinct opportunities

Notable & Quotable

Campus notes and faculty quotes from the summer months.

Students work on the smoke jumper fitness standards project in McGill Hall.

Nifty Fifty

Missoula Technology and Development Center, HHP celebrate half-century of partnership
UM Blackstone LaunchPad Director Paul Gladen speaks with the media.

Taking Care of Business

New Blackstone LaunchPad Boosts Entrepreneurial  Spirit of Students, Alumni
Morgan Mull-Osborn, a dance major at UM, performs an original piece entitled Accumulation.

Talking Points

TEDxUMontana Highlights the Personal Side of Academics

Artifacts

Dick Powell

UM's Evolving Fight Song

The storied history of UM's famous fight song

Bookshelf

Books on a shelf

Bookshelf

Featuring 10 new books with UM connections. Compiled by Ginny Merriam.
Books on a shelf

Bookshelf: New Titles from UM Authors

Featuring 10 new books with UM connections. Compiled by Ginny Merriam.
Books on a shelf

Bookshelf: New Titles from UM Authors

New titles from authors with UM connections
Books on a shelf

Bookshelf: New Titles from UM Authors

New titles from authors with UM connections

Compiled by Ginny Merriam

Books on a shelf

Bookshelf: New Titles from UM Authors

New titles from authors with UM connections
Bookshelf

Bookshelf

New titles from authors with UM connections
Bookshelf

Bookshelf

New titles from authors with UM connections

Feature

President's Perspective

President's Perspective

UM President Seth Bodnar shares his hope that each student at UM develops a confident personal voice.  
Mimi Eiden, a black-student athlete

Voices of the Moment

Black student-athletes in Grizzly Athletics share their vision for a brighter future for all. 

Photos by Tommy Martino
Amy Sings In The Timber

Justice For All

The new director of the Montana Innocence Project has a UM law degree, a gift for fundraising and a lifelong commitment to racial and social justice.
The New Big Sky Singers

All In The Band

The New Big Sky Singers look back at 50 years of musical memories, friendship and a band of brothers that began at UM.
Larry Hufford

Facetime: Larry Hufford

Managing a college is complex task, but Larry Hufford, evolutionary biologist and the new dean of UM's College of Humanities and Sciences, is used to life's intricacies.
Robby Beasley

On the Cover

Robby Beasely, a UM freshman on the men's basketball team, shares his reflections and hopes for a brighter future.
President's Perspective

President's Perspective

UM President Seth Bodnar shares how Grizzlies are rising to the challenges posed by the pandemic with innovation, courage and selflessness.
A Recipe for Good

A Recipe for Good

Tobin Miller Shearer parlays the personal and professional into his students and scholarship as a white man directing UM's African-American Studies department. It's not easy. But nothing important ever is.
Ahead of the Data

Ahead of the Data

UM’s College of Business pivots in programs and curriculum to maintain its standing as the top business college in the Big Sky Conference, relying on innovation to prepare students for the rapidly changing world of business.

From Kafka to Climate Change

From Kafka to Climate Change

Celebrating the impact of 50 years of environmental studies at UM.

Facetime: Ryan Hansen

Facetime: Ryan Hansen

Ryan Hansen, UM alumnus and entrepreneur, operates LumenAd, one of the country’s top software companies. He says the journey from UM to recognition in Inc. magazine takes some Montana scrappiness and Grizzly grit.

Rhys McKinstry

On the Cover

Rhys McKinstry, UM alumnus, shares his reflections on graduating from UM in the time of COVID-19.
President's Perspective

President's Perspective

UM President Seth Bodnar and Dr. Chelsea Bodnar share their vision for S.E.A. Change
The Long Haul

The Long Haul

For one UM alumna, a career in the male-dominated trucking industry took some Montana grit and a liberal arts degree.
UM Special Victims Unit Detective Shelagh More

SAFE

S.E.A. begins with 'S' because safety rests at the heart of the University of Montana's mission to provide access to a quality education.
S.E.A. Change Spotlight: Libby Metcalf

S.E.A. Change Spotlight: Libby Metcalf

Through teaching, mentoring and leading, Metcalf advances S.E.A. Change at UM
student leaders visiting the capitol

UM Trailblazers

Front-runners, trailblazers and fearless champions for others. At a sweeping time for women, here are seven UM student leaders making their mark.
WLI participants gathered in a classroom

Programs that Empower and Accelerate Women

Learn about campus programs that support all women while advancing gender equity

The dawn sky behind Main Hall lightens as the sun rises.

A Campaign for UM

Historic effort invites supporters to Think Big. Be Bold.
Scholarships Launching Lives

Scholarships Launching Lives

Donors have gifted and pledged more than $100 million for student support during Campaign Montana.
Programs for Programs

Programs for Progress

New UM programs have far-reaching impacts.
Placing students at the center of UM.

Student Success: The Heart of Everything

Our mission is to ensure a high-quality education is accessible to all walks of life.
Dynamic spaces for an innovative education.

Thinking Big With Buildings

Building dynamic spaces that are conducive to innovative learning.
Funding Elite Educators

Funding Elite Educators

Supporting UM's legacy of research and public education.
UM Associate Professor Rosalyn LaPier

Native Knowledge

Blackfeet Scholar at UM a Rising Star in Ethnobotany
Lee-Gray Boze ’07 explores the interior of a glacier

To the Arctic and Beyond

UM Geoscience Grads Succeed in a Changing Field

Fireworks over Main Hall

125 Years and Counting

UM celebrates milestones of academics, achievement and growth
New UM President Seth Bodnar

Mission Accepted

New President Seth Bodnar brings passion for service and high achievement to UM
An art mosaic decorates an outside space.

A River Runs By It

New Missoula College Building opens doors to students

Today, more than 23 gardeners ensure over 300 species of native flora blossom and thrive in the areas designated as their habitat.

50 Years and Growing

UM's Botanic Garden manages to flower 50 years after its initial planting in 1966
Erick Greene checks out the Hellgate Canyon nest near the new Missoula College Building this past spring.

Flying Lessons

Montana Osprey Project brings beauty,  knowledge, inspiration and a bit of  drama to fans worldwide

A Bugs Bunny mural is painted on a wall inside a bunker below a U.S. Air Force base. “The painting is an homage to a World War II bomber crew,” says Jeff MacDonald, a CIRE investigator pursuing his doctorate at UM.

Preserve and Protect

Boosted by a $45 million research award, UM’s Center for Integrated Research on the Environment works with Army Corps of Engineers to solve problems across the country
Raelynn Cameron, a master’s student in early education, wears a GoPro camera while she works with Henry Hamilton, age 4, at her in-home family child care center in East Missoula.

Shaping the Future

UM takes innovative approaches to prepare the teachers of tomorrow

Dr. Megan Svec graduated in July as part of UM’s first class of family medicine residents. She recently started practicing  medicine in Ronan. (Photo by Michael Gallacher/Missoulian)

In the Best of Health

New initiative aims to open opportunities for UM to solve the most pressing medical issues plaguing  our population

UM photojournalism student Kira Vercruyssen, right, and translator Aimal Noori interview a group of young people living in a refugee shelter in the Berlin neighborhood of Karlshorst.

Learning by Doing

UM students travel to Germany to gain hands-on experience telling stories of refugees

UM Professor David Firth, left, and Tom Stergios, vice president of Advanced Technology Group, have created a unique partnership that helps keep talented UM graduates in Montana working high-paying, high-tech jobs.

The Cutting Edge

UM partners with growing high-tech sector to create high-paying jobs, keep talented graduates right here in Montana

A sign welcomes visitors to Libby on a bridge crossing the Kootenai River. Residents of Libby are ready to move on from its tarnished past and focus on the future.

The Rebirth of Libby

With help from UM, a small town in Nothwestern Montana takes on a rebranding effort to heal from its rocky past

Carla Dove, who graduated from the University of Montana in 1986, works at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History studying bird collisions with airplanes for the sake of making travel safer. David Price/Smithsonian Institution

Her Name Says It All

Carla Dove ’86 soars as the nation’s top expert on identifying birds that collide with planes, even when only “snarge” remains

The First Folio (Photo courtesy of The Folger Shakespeare Library)

Artifacts: Friends, Grizzlies, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ears

Shakespeare's First Folio set to visit UM
UM produces alumni who work, study, and discover new knowledge across the universe, include Mars, Pluto, and beyond.

The Last Best Space

UM graduates are unlocking the mysteries of space—what other planets look like, how astronauts can visit them, and whether there is, or ever was, life beyond Earth

UM history Professor Anya Jabour poses with Hannah James, who plays Emma Green in the new PBS Civil War drama Mercy Street. Jabour served as a historical consultant for the series, which premieres in January. (Photo courtesy of Anya Jabour)

A Proper Fit

UM History Professor Anya Jabour’s expertise plays a critical role in the new PBS Civil War drama Mercy Street

Artifacts: Rocky Mountain Roots

Artifacts: Rocky Mountain Roots

UM Herbarium grows with addition from the Craighead family
Lindsey Hall ’14, a former Montana Grizzly track and field star who now trains professionally with the Mountain West Track Club, runs on a high-speed force treadmill inside UM’s Biomechanics Lab, which is directed by Professor Matt Bundle, right. UM senior Madi Worst, left, and graduate student Michelle Buechner, rear, control the treadmill and measurement tools through computers.

Healthier & Happier

In a wide array of studies, UM’s HHP Department makes significant impacts on the well-being  of the people of Montana and beyond

UM Professor Doug Emlen displays a replica skull of a saber-toothed cat

Armed and Advantageous

In his new book, UM Professor Doug Emlen explains that from beetles to humans, animals develop weapons for similar reasons, with similar consequences

Ric Hauer at Glacier National Park

Game Changer

Professor’s $45 million cooperative agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is largest in UM history

Aaron Thomas, a chemistry professor at UM, directs Indigenous Research and STEM Education, a program that seeks to bring more Native American students into science, technology, engineering, and mathematical fields.

Native Knowledge

Program inspires future generation of Indian scientists

Sarj Patel and Tom Rau standing in a lab

Think Tank

UM’s new Brain Initiative puts professors’ heads  together to explore what’s inside them

Letters

Bugs Bunny mural on bunker wall

A Missileer’s Master’s Degree

I found the mention of Whiteman Air Force Base (“Preserve and Protect,” Spring 2017 Montanan) and Minuteman missiles interesting.

The Right Choice?

Maybe. Maybe not. I’ll probably never really know.

This self-portrait of Curiosity shows the rover at the Big Sky site on Mars.

Letter: Written in the Stars

In the Montanan article, Brian Nixon said, “Most of Western Montana is now represented on Mars.” He can add Polson, because that’s where I’m from.