A Presidential Rite of Passage

On Feb. 15, new UM President Seth Bodnar followed in the footsteps of his predecessors by meeting one of the University’s treasures, Emma B. Lommasson ’33 M.S. ’39, who at 106 is likely UM’s oldest alumna. (If you know of an older Griz, we want to know about her or him.) Lommasson came to UM from Sand Coulee, Montana, in 1929, spending 58 years at the University as a student, teacher, staff member, student adviser and registrar. Her grace and kindness made a huge impression on students and her fellow employees, and in 2001 the Lodge was renamed the Lommasson Center in her honor. She has met all but the first four of UM’s 19 presidents, and she lamented to Bodnar how she wouldn’t be able to be his registrar. She was reluctant to dole out any advice, but finally offered, “Life is what you make of it. Stay positive and don’t complain. I’m just another person who attended the University from a small town, and I found out it’s the most wonderful place.”