President's Perspective

Greetings from the beautiful UM campus, where crabapple trees are in full bloom, as are the yellow arrowleaf balsamroot on Mount Sentinel.

The weeks leading to Commencement are among the most enjoyable of the academic year, as we take time to recognize the accomplishments of our students. Awards ceremonies, scholarship events, special convocations for student research, scholarship, and service keep everyone busy and serve to reinforce our role in preparing students for life after graduation.

At UM, we are pursuing a path that will lead us to be among the most respected flagship institutions in the country. We do that by focusing intently on three areas:

• Outstanding academics that range from the humanities and sciences to a broad array of professional programs, all taught by a world-class faculty.
• Research and scholarship of high impact to address challenges and opportunities important to today’s world.
• Building a learning environment second to none based on a vibrant campus atmosphere, our supportive host community, and our stunning campus and surroundings.

Academic innovation runs deep at UM these days. As a result of faculty initiative and student interest, we soon will see a new program in data analytics, a new Humanities Institute, an emphasis in health programs through the new UM Health and Medicine initiative, and a full baccalaureate program in early childhood education.

Our faculty are engaged in a robust discussion about our academic foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and the elements of a competitive education in the twenty-first century. We will record the most productive year for research activity that we have ever seen at UM, and we are on the way to another outstanding year of fundraising through philanthropy.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to visit several academic units and observe up close the work going on in media arts, environmental studies, and chemistry. While these are just three out of many outstanding units, I continue to be impressed by the advances in online learning, experiential learning, and research activity in those programs. Our faculty members are intensely dedicated to providing the best education available, and the accomplishments of our graduates demonstrate exactly that.

Enjoy this issue of the Montanan, which illustrates the fine work of our graduates and how UM academic programs are helping Montana communities and businesses thrive.

Have a great summer!

Royce C. Engstrom, President