Letter from the Interim Director

A look ahead

Hello to all my fellow alumni! I’m thrilled to join such a wonderful circle of new and old friends who rally around the University of Montana, supporting the ideals of excellence in higher education.

It is such an honor to join the Alumni Relations and Alumni Association team. Bill Johnston, our former alumni director who retired in September, built a solid foundation of friendships and working relationships with so many of you. I look forward to continuing the tradition of strong engagement with all of our alums.

I’m also excited to return to my home state. I was born and raised on a cattle ranch in the Big Hole Valley. After attending grades one through eight at a one-room country school, I graduated from Anaconda Senior High School. I enrolled at UM, completing my bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminology, before enjoying a successful career in business, leading teams and organizations in the U.S. and Canada.

I feel strong gratitude to UM for the excellent education I received here. From critical and creative thinking to formulating and standing behind my convictions, my UM education established a pattern of leadership that has motivated me to drive innovative change and growth. I will forever be proud to say I am an alumna of UM.

Though I hadn’t lived in the state for several years, my connection to UM has not faded. For the past nine years, I have been a trustee on the UM Foundation board of directors, serving as a member of the Governance Committee and as treasurer and chair of the strategic planning process. I also serve on the Advisory Board for the College of Humanities and Sciences. And, while not alumni themselves, my husband, Paul, and two grown sons, Chad and Matthew, are big fans of the University as well.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a special thank you to all of our alumni who support the University in some way, whether it’s through membership in the Alumni Association, volunteerism, donating to scholarship funds or simply boasting about the wonderful education and experiences you enjoyed at UM. As we strive to move forward with increased innovative offerings for alumni to enjoy, please know we are always looking for your feedback, suggestions and advice! Go Griz!

Sincerely,

Karen Kracher Dykstra ‘78
Interim Director, Alumni Relations
Interim President and CEO, UM Alumni Association

Interim Director, Karen Kracher Dykstra