AlumniACTIVITIES A QUARTERLY UPDATE FOR DUES-PAYING

MEMBERS OF THE UM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

WINTER 2016-17

Alumni, fans gather to cheer on the Griz Thousands of University of Montana and Montana State alumni and fans across the country got together to cheer on their teams during the 116th Brawl of the Wild on Nov. 19. Though the Bobcats pulled off a surprising upset, it didn’t stop Griz fans from having fun at more than 80 watch parties around the nation. Check out some of the photos party-goers shared on social media.

LOS ANGELES

WASHINGTON D.C.

CARY-RALEIGH-DURHAM NORTH CAROLINA

MADISONWISCONSIN

If you couldn’t make it to the game or a watch party this year, mark your calendars for the next Griz/Cat game – Nov. 18, 2017, in Bozeman – and find a party location near you by visiting the Events page at www.grizalum.com.

THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT SEASON!

UM OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Karen Kracher Dykstra, Interim DirectorSusan Cuff, Associate DirectorMolly Fishburn-Matthew, Database ManagerCarrie Enyeart, Data Support SpecialistMark Lannen, Interactive Media CoordinatorNikita Redfox, Administrative AssistantAngela Weisenburger, On-Campus Events CoordinatorJodi Johnson Moreau, Outreach Coordinator/Board LiaisonAllison Franz, Writer/Editor

Neal Wiegert, Newsletter DesignPrinted by UM Printing and Graphic Services

The University of Montana will celebrate its 124th birthday on Thursday, Feb. 16, with an evening Charter Day awards ceremony and reception.

Charter Day marks the anniversary of UM’s chartering by the Montana Legislature in 1893 and the University’s continued dedication to excellence. Charter Day also honors the strong connections between the University and Missoula communities.

The annual awards ceremony, which will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom, will recognize exemplary campus and community members, including this year’s Montana Alumni Award to be presented to Brandon Gebhardt M.Acct. ‘14

The awards ceremony is free and open to the public, and a reception featuring birthday cake, champagne and appetizers will follow.

Celebrate UM on Charter Day 2017

The University of Montana Alumni Association’s 19th annual Community Lecture Series will begin Tuesday, Feb. 7. This year’s series will feature six outstanding UM faculty members engaged in the University’s recently launched Health and Medicine initiative. Each lecture includes a question-and-answer session. UMAA dues-paying members can purchase tickets for the entire series for $15, while series tickets cost $20 for the general public and $10 for students. Tickets for individual lectures are $5 at the door. Purchase tickets online at www.grizalum.org/events/cls or by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at 406-243-5211.Following is the lecture series schedule:

Feb. 7: “Mythbusters: Health, Wellness, Longevity and Prevention of Chronic Illness,” Reed Humphrey, dean, College of Health Professions and Biomedical Sciences

Feb. 14: “Autism: Signs, Symptoms and Strategies” Anisa Goforth, psychology

Feb. 21: “Cognition in Aging and Brain Health,” Stuart Hall, psychology

Feb. 28: “Understanding LGBT Mental Health Disparities,” Bryan Cochran, psychology

March 7: “Technology Advancements in Fitness and Performance,” Brent Ruby, health and human performance

March 14: “Exercise and the Cardiac Fountain of Youth,” John C. Quindry, health and human performance

‘Bringing the U to You’ Lecture Series returns to Great Falls The “Bringing the U to You” Lecture Series, a collaborative effort between the UM and MSU-Bozeman alumni associations, returns to Great Falls for the 16th year. This year’s series features:

Jan. 19: “Reimagining Oplontis: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of an Ancient Roman Villa on the Bay of Naples”

Regina Gee, MSU

Feb. 2: “Human Embryo Development, Timing and Disease” Renee Reijo Pera, MSU

Feb. 16: “Media Coverage of the 2016 Presidential Campaign” Larry Abramson, UM

Feb. 25: “America and the Islamic World in the Trump Era” Mehrdad Kia, UM

All lectures will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College MSU. Series tickets are $25, and tickets for individual lectures are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Tickets are available at Kaufman’s or by calling 406-899-0277.

Annual Palm Desert gathering set for Feb. 26University of Montana alumni and friends will gather for brunch and conversation at the La Quinta Country Club in Palm Desert from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Look for your formal invitation in the mail, and be sure to RSVP by Friday, Feb. 10.

Deadline for UMAA Legacy Scholarship coming upApplications for the UM Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship are due Friday, Feb. 24. Awarded to as many as six students annually, the UMAA Legacy Scholarship supports individuals who represent a continuation of the UM tradition. To be eligible for this scholarship award, one of the applicant’s parents, grandparents or legal guardian must have attended, but need not have graduated from, the University of Montana. Applicants must be juniors prior to the fall 2017 semester and must attend UM full time.http://www.grizalum.org/groups_and_programs/recognition/scholarship.php

Nominations open for Distinguished Alumni AwardsEach Homecoming, the University of Montana Alumni Association honors outstanding alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards. University alumni and friends are invited to nominate a graduate or former student for this award. Nominations for the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Awards are due Friday, Feb. 24. http://www.grizalum.org/groups_and_programs/recognition/daa.php

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CharterDay 2017

Regional Group FAQWhat is a UMAA regional group? UMAA regional groups connect Montana alumni within a certain geographic boundary to each other and the University. These groups organize activities such as social, recreational and educational gatherings that encourage both professional and social networking. The regional group leaders are alumni volunteers who work hard to keep Grizzly grads connected to their Montana family, wherever they are.

How do I join a regional group?Visit the Groups and Programs page on www.grizalum.com to see if one is established in your area. Contact the group leader to see what activity you can join in next.

How can I start a regional group if there isn’t one in my area? Contact the UM Alumni Association and share your interest in starting a regional group. We’ll work with you to evaluate whether there is a sufficient alumni population in your area to support a regional group.

What types of events should our regional group consider hosting?You know your community best and what events will appeal most to alumni in your area. We recommend a diverse calendar of events. If your group focuses heavily on football game watch parties in the fall, try to host a cultural or educational event in the spring. While it’s impossible to please everyone all the time, a diverse calendar will appeal to more people in your area than just game watch parties and happy hours. Search for the Facebook pages of the following established groups to get an idea of what they do: SoCal Griz Alumni, Griz Alumni PDX, Griz Alumni – South East Regional Group.

Who is invited to regional group events?For most events, email invitations (or Facebook event

invitations) are sent to all alumni within a designated area who have valid email

addresses in our database. In some cases, we may send a hardcopy mailer to

alumni without an email address on file.

Can we get a list of alumni in our area for communication/marketing purposes?The Alumni Association maintains contact information on all graduates

of UM. UMAA also has information on some who attended, but did not graduate

from, the University. We respect the privacy of our alumni and manage these requests for

information with care and concern for individual preferences. Staff in the alumni office can assist

the regional group in connecting and contacting alumni via phone, email and mail based upon individual preferences communicated by alumni on how and what they prefer to receive or not receive from the University.

For more information, contact UMAA by emailing alumni@umontana.edu or calling 877-UM-ALUMS (877-862-5867).

Regional Group Spotlight: Griz Alumni PDX

Assembled by a small team of enthusiastic, greater Portland area-based Grizzly alumni, the Griz Alumni PDX group provides a platform where local UM alumni can come together and share in professional networking, social activities, or simply to show their support and love for the University of Montana.

The Portland Metro vicinity is a popular relocation area for Griz graduates, and this group provides a much-needed network for those new to the area who may be looking for job referrals, as well as a professional network for those who are currently employed, or for those who may have business interests here. In addition, Griz Alumni PDX provides a group of like-minded individuals with whom to socialize. Whether it’s to meet up at the local brewery, hike the Gorge, take a trip to the Coast, or to have coffee at the closest Dutch Brothers, this group has something for all Griz alumni. Griz Alumni PDX also emphasizes advocacy by assisting UM in recruiting prospective students and supporting campus legislative efforts.

To get involved with Griz Alumni PDX, email pdxgrizalumni@gmail.com.

Start or join an alumni group in your area! UMAA is looking for dedicated alumni volunteers to help revitalize UM Alumni Regional Groups throughout the country! Regional Group leaders work with UMAA to develop a plan for engaging alumni in their areas and organize events to keep alumni connected to each other.

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For more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations,

1-877-UM-ALUMS (1-877-862-5867), or visit www.grizalum.com.

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GET CONNECTED...STAY CONNECTED

19 Bringing the U to You Lecture Series, Great Falls31 Pre-play social for Montana Rep’s “Barefoot in the Park,” Butte

7 Pre-play social for Montana Rep’s “Barefoot in the Park,” Billings7, 14, 21, 28 Community Lecture Series, Missoula 16 Charter Day Celebration and Awards Ceremony Bringing the U to You Lecture Series, Great Falls26 Alumni gathering, Palm Desert, Calif.

7 Community Lecture Series, Missoula8-19 Alumni Travel: Tanzania Migration Safari18-26 Alumni Travel: Discover Costa Rica with Adventure Life

7-23 Alumni Travel: Outrageous Outback20 Alumni gathering, Billings21-22 UMAA Board of Directors meeting, Billings

ALUMNI

Veterans enjoy time back on campus

UMAA was delighted and honored to welcome several dozen alumni veterans back to campus Nov. 4 and 5 for the UM Military Reunion. We look forward to seeing you at UM again soon!

Register now for theMONTANA TREASURES

REUNIONUMAA invites the classes of 1967, 1957 and 1947 to return to campus to renew friendships and reminisce. Join us Thursday, May 11, through Saturday, May 13, for your Montana Treasures Reunion during UM’s Commencement weekend.

To pre-register, call 1-877-UM-ALUMS (1-877-862-5867). We look forward to celebrating your landmark graduation anniversaries, sharing your memories of the past and creating new memories of your time on our beautiful campus.

Attendees left to right: Participants in UM’s 2016 Military Reunion pose for a photo outside Brantly Hall on Nov. 4. Front row, left to right: Ken Robison, Carl Lawson, Michael Stone, Cynthia Rhein, CJ Lassila, Char Gatlin, Jack Griffith. Middle row: Gary Swartz, Frank D’Angelo, Nick Rich, John Harrison, Rob Funk, PJ Dermer, Jim Noon, Tim Weisenburger, T. Ray Jacobs, Shawn Grove. Top row: Robb Redfox, Doug Heyer, Michael Cochrane, Harry Brauer, Gary Rainville, Mike Dwyer, Carl Gidlund, Randle White, Bill Lane.