Clocking In

Even more Grizzlies may staff ambulances in the future, as UM announced a new program in paramedicine at Missoula College. Beginning this fall, the four-semester degree program will train students interested in careers as paramedics or emergency medical technicians.

Griz can explore more of their public lands, thanks to UM’s Wilderness Institute, which developed a website, Wilderness Connect, (wilderness.net) to guide recreationalists planning trips in federally designated wilderness areas. The site includes descriptions, regulatory information and interactive maps for all 803 wilderness areas in the U.S.

Say “thank you” more often, says Dr. Stephen Yoshimura, UM professor of communication studies, who studies communication of social emotions. Yoshimura’s research suggests that gratitude improves people’s sleep quality and makes them perceive fewer health problems about themselves. Yoshimura was quoted in a Refinery29.com article this June.

Out-of-state license plates bring more than traffic, according to UM’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research. The institute reported 12.4 million out-of-state visitors in 2018 contributed to more than $3.7 billion in travel spending to Montana’s economy.

Bad news for camouflage. UM scientist Scott Mills, who studies how climate change has shortened winter, found that early winters leave white snowshoe hares without enough time to change their fur camouflage before the onset of bare ground. “The hares are the candy bar of the forest,” Mills says. “Our hares in Montana get clobbered in the weeks where they’re white on a brown background.” The article was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in July.

Grizzlies are inclusive. A rainbow of color illuminated Main Hall in June, signifying UM’s support for our LGBTQA+ community and more broadly the University’s commitment to equality for all. The building was lit for two nights in recognition of Big Sky Pride Week across Montana.  

It was a good summer for keeping office windows open. UM welcomed more than 200 elementary, middle and high school musicians from around the state and region in band, jazz, choir and orchestra for the School of Music’s annual residential Summer Music Camp. UM’s campus was filled with sounds and strings of open-air practice concerts.

Good news for pocketbooks, as UM’s financial literacy program earned UM the LendEDU No. 5 spot on the nation’s list of top-ranked financial literacy programs among hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide. UM was ranked among Duke University, Harvard University, Yale University and Georgetown University for helping students become financially literate.