The President’s Perspective

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Categories: Campus , Academic

UM student Aaron Page helps President Royce Engstrom try his hand at an audio-based version of pingpong on an iPhone.
UM student Aaron Page helps President Royce Engstrom try his hand at an audio-based version of pingpong on an iPhone.

Greetings! 

What an exciting time of the year! Students recently returned to campus, and new students joined us for the first time, embarking upon what will be a life-changing experience for them at the University of Montana.

I met a young man and his parents on the Oval just before the semester began. He is here to begin his studies in media arts. Both he and his parents were enamored with the University, and I could see the excitement in their eyes as all of them dreamed about his future. A UM education will open doors for him in ways he hasn’t yet imagined.

Campus was abuzz with activity all summer long. The Schwanke Institute brought teenagers from across the country to campus; more than 400 international visitors from around the world came to UM during the past few months through thirteen different programs; and numerous camps in the arts, sports, languages, computer programming, and writing brought in students of all ages. 

In July, we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the photo accompanying this column was taken at that event. The student in the picture, Aaron Page, is visually impaired. He was demonstrating to me some new tools available to ensure that he and other students have full access to the educational experience that makes UM so distinctive. Aaron has been quite active in developing such tools himself and in teaching faculty, staff, and students how to use them. UM has become a leader in working with students with disabilities, and we are proud of that. 

Speaking of leaders, we have three new deans at UM this fall: Paul Kirgis at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law [note the new name], Shannon O’Brien at Missoula College, and Brock Tessman at the Davidson Honors College. These leaders will help take their respective units and the entire University to new heights. 

The launch of a new academic year is a wonderful time. Let’s make it great together!

Go Griz!

Royce C. Engstrom, President


President Engstrom
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