November 2007
Over the Edge at Montana Western
Tuesday, November 27 2007
Professor Steve Mock (left) guides University of Montana Western student Breanne Smith over the ledge of UMW’s three-story Block Hall as part of an exercise in Mark Krank’s motivation theory and practice course. Krank explained that the rappelling activity helps students experience firsthand various aspects of human determination, motivation and self regulating behavior.
Go To Top
Montana Western Grad Receives Montana's HIghest Honor For School Administrators
Saturday, November 17 2007
Brian Patrick, '81, first embarked on his education when he was a student in a one-room school house on the Hi-Line.
A basketball scholarship took him to University of Montana Western and an education degree was his ticket to Townsend.
Since 1995, he’s served as superintendent of Townsend Schools.
Last month, he earned the G.V. Erickson Award, Montana’s most prestigious honor for school administrators.
Given annually by the School Administrators of Montana, it honors a SAM member who “has made the greatest contribution to the betterment of education in Montana.”
Although Townsend’s a small, rural school district on a frugal budget, its accomplishments under Patrick’s guidance are many.
The K-12 district consistently generates cutting-edge programs, some of which have attracted state and national attention.
Recently it installed a new biomass heating system, expected to save the school district $1 million in heating costs over the next 30 years.
Townsend was the fifth school in Montana to install such a system as part of the Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program and was the first to use a wood pellet system.
The heating system has been praised for both its environmental and economic benefits.
Two years ago, the school launched KDGZ, a low- power FM radio station at 98.3 on the radio dial.
The station, a partnership with the Montana Disaster and Emergency Services, warns residents of emergencies but also provides an avenue for creative community programming.
It’s already offering sports coverage of Bulldogs games. And this year, students are on the air as part of a radio-programming class.
In the past three years, the district also developed a sophisticated school Web page.
“The Web page is a real resource for the community about what’s happening at the schools,” said Patrick.
Another endeavor, the Bug and Weed Project, earned the school a National Civic Star award in February, based on its impressive array of more than a dozen community partnerships. And it has garnered two regional forestry awards.
Students run the project as a business enterprise, providing weed identification and GPS/GIS weed-mapping services for ranchers and governmental agencies.
Students also raise insects to sell as biological controls for noxious weeds.
“The Bug and Weed Project allows students to be involved in a summer business enterprise,” he said. “They are proactively involved in weed control, and they learn we don’t have to use sprays and harmful things in the environment.”
The school also operates an effective school-community recycling program.
“We try to provide an education that is all-encompassing,” Patrick said. “This is why we get into biomass, recycling and the Bug and Weed Project.”
These projects teach students about being a good citizen in the community, he said. And they take the lessons with them to whatever community they live in.
A few other recent school endeavors include: a school breakfast program, an after-school program, a top-notch elementary reading program, an energy savings program, and dual credit classes for juniors and seniors who earn college credits during high school.
Then there’s the new school-community tennis courts, which have already paid big dividends — after they were installed, the Lady Bulldogs took the state tennis championship.
Patrick gives his staff credit for the district’s successes.
A recent example of staff commitment, he said, is a new “real life” class for seniors.
The staff looked at all the high school classes and found students were missing training in real life skills, such as how to do taxes, apply for a loan, purchase a car and select car insurance.
“The main focus is the economics of being an adult,” Patrick said.
Patrick’s award also mentions a major challenge Patrick faced when he first arrived at Townsend.
The aging high school building no longer safely met the district’s needs, Patrick said.
After four requests to the voters, in 2001 they approved building a new high school by a two-to-one margin.
Patrick’s energy goes beyond the school campus. He also helped found the Broadwater Community Foundation, which has raised over $300,000 since 1995.
The foundation awards grants for student scholarships and numerous community projects — from bike trail signage, to park playground equipment, to lighting for the Toston Bridge.
Patrick’s also active in Lions Club and the local Chamber of Commerce.
When asked about inspiration, Patrick said he knew for a long time he wanted to be a history teacher and a basketball coach, and he did both.
But one educational highlight stood out for him as a boy growing up on a wheat farm on the High Line — his teacher, Pamela Fox, organized a seven-week study trip in Paris for high school students. It opened his eyes to the wider world.
“It was quite an experience for a 16-year-old from rural Montana.”
This article was wriiten by Marga Lincoln of the Helena Independent Record
Go To Top
Montana Western Professor Publishes Fourth Book
Tuesday, November 13 2007
“The Cipher”, the long-awaited first book of the fantasy trilogy Crosspointe Chronicles by Diana Pharaoh Francis, was officially released Thursday, Nov. 15.
Francis is an English professor at the University of Montana Western. This is her fourth book. Her earlier work includes the popular Path Series.
The first book of this collection "Path of Fate" was nominated for the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award. Her story "In Between Dark and Light" recently appeared in the anthology "Furry Fantastic".
"The Cipher" welcomes readers to Crosspointe, a vibrant, wealthy land. Crosspointe is a country full of intrigue, malice, joy, magic and mystery. It is a country where people must be careful of the law and keep a tight grip on their purse.
Be careful of the magic for it lives in the trees and the earth and the water and the air of Crosspointe. The people of Crosspointe are reminded that if they trip and fall, they might find themselves going places they never dreamed of, not even in their worst nightmares.
For more information visit Di's website at www.dianapfrancis.com.
Go To Top
Twelve Montana Artists on Exhibit at Montana Westen Gallery
Sunday, November 11 2007
The University of Montana Western Art Gallery/Museum is currently exhibiting prints, paintings, and sculptures by twelve significant contemporary artists.
The exhibit, "Caravan Collaboration: Alone/Together," will be on display until December 14, 2007. The show is comprised of a limited edition print portfolio accompanied by new pieces from each of the artists in their primary medium.
Viewers will see intaglio prints, woodcut prints, monoprints, lithographs, silk-screens, and digital inkjet prints along with ceramics and mixed media sculpture, acrylic and gouache paintings, and collage.
The caravaners first formed a collaborative group in 1984, and traveled throughout rural and urban Montana in 1995 in handcrafted trailers and "art mobiles", sharing their unusual art installations.
"Caravan Collaboration: Alone/Together" is the first exhibit that the caravan artists have presented as a group in nearly a decade and will be traveling throughout the state.
Co-curator and artist participant Rene Westbrook describes the group, "Collectively, we are a group of artists who crave travel but don't necessarily get to hit the road; who are paying attention to the state-of-the world and are distressed by the direction humanity is taking; we know that we have to be a part of positive change. We use humor, pathos, anger, joy, frustration, experience, beauty, movement, and actual and imagined voyages to inform our work."
The "Caravan Collaboration: Alone/Together" exhibit is sponsored by the Montana Art Gallery Directors Association with funding by the National Endowment of the Arts, the Montana Coal Tax Fund, and the Montana Arts Council.
The Art Gallery/Museum can be found at the south end of the first floor of Main Hall on the Montana Western campus. Gallery times are Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
To arrange for special times or visits call the director at 683-7232. The Art Gallery/Museum also houses a permanent collection of art, including works by C.M. Russell, Edgar Paxson, and Monte Dolack, and the Seidensticker Wildlife Collection of taxidermy from around the world.
The annual Art Faculty Exhibit will be the next art show and will start December 24.
Caption for UMW Gallery 27a.jpg
"Safe Hare," colored pencil on stoneware by Joe Batt, is one of the pieces featured in a new exhibit at the Montana Western Art Gallery/Museum.
"Rock-Paper-Scissor" and "Hostage," both by Missoula artist Stephen Glueckert, and " Matisse Amphora collection" by Leslie Millar II are included in "Caravan Collaboration: Alone/Together." A public reception for the exhibit will be held next Tues., Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Go To Top
Beier Auditorium Receives New Sound System
Friday, November 9 2007
Pictured from left to right: Montana Western Student Body President Taylor Nahrgang; Laura Horst, executive coordinator Southwest Montana Arts Council, Larry Brazill, Jane Helm Maddock and Amberly Pahut, interim director of the Montana Western Foundation.
A cutting-edge, state-of-the art sound system made its debut at the Beier Auditorium on the University of Montana Western campus in October.
The system is the result of generous contributions by Emeriti Professor Jane Helm Maddock, the Southwest Montana Arts Council and the Montana Western Student Senate.
“It's a pleasure to have had a part in bringing the new sound system to the Beier,” said Maddock. “It’s also gratifying to do something to honor the memory of David Beier, a good friend and colleague.”
Amberly Pahut, interim director of the Montana Western Foundation said, “For many years we’ve had to beg, borrow and steal audio components from across the campus and community. Now we have a dedicated and sophisticated system that will meet our needs for years to come.”
“Dr. Maddock has shown a true commitment to the ongoing improvement of our campus community over the years and this is just one of the many projects she has supported. This is a terrific example of what can happen when people work together,” Pahut said.
Laura Horst, executive coordinator Southwest Montana Arts Council, said
"We are so pleased to be a part of this collaborative effort. The new system will be a wonderful asset for attracting the arts to our community and Montana Western."
Mark Tronrud, the sound system’s designer from Billings, Mont., worked with Montana Western’s Larry Brazill and Bill Dwyer to architect a system that would meet performance requirements of a wide range of productions from concerts to plays and lectures. The equipment will allow the university and community to schedule events that rival those at venues in larger Montana cities.
Tronrud said the versatile system costing an estimated $35,000 features the latest Yamaha equipment and JBL speakers.
Go To Top
"The Trial of Tom Sawyer" on the Montana Western Stage
Tuesday, November 6 2007
The University of Montana Western drama department presents “The Trial of Tom Sawyer” Nov. 8-10 and Nov. 13-14 in the Beier Auditorium.
On Thursday, Nov. 8, Friday, Nov. 9, Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 14 there will be special school matinee performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There are still openings for additional classes for the school matinee performances.
Evening performances on Nov. 9-10 begin at 7:30 p.m.
The “Trial of Tom Sawyer” is Virginia Glasgow Koste’s dramatization of Tom’s mischievous adventures as he grows from an irreverent boy to a courageous young man. Follow the adventures and moral education of Tom Sawyer in this beloved tale.
Mark Twain himself narrates this lovingly crafted adaptation, preserving the classic language (and, in effect, reliving his boyhood). Precisely, as in the book, we follow the antics and inner conflict of Tom that single long summer.
Montana Western drama student Perry Shank directs the play. Dr. Judy Ulrich is the executive producer. The play is produced by special arrangement with the Anchorage Press of New Orleans, La.
Cast members include: Otis Anderson of Dillon, Mont., Forest Chapman of White Sulphur Springs, Mont., Jaydyn Chidd of Dillon, Mont., Nicholas Cole of Dillon, Mont.,Sheaune Corman of Dillon, Mont., Elida Craven of Nevada City, Calif., Summer Kamps of Dillon, Mont., Tiffany B. Kamps of Dillon, Mont., Cassie Killsnight of Dillon, Mont., Jonathan Madany of Dillon, Mont., Kaylyn Madany of Dillon, Mont., Sarah Madany of Dillon, Mont., Kenda Madany of Dillon, Mont., Amanda McCarl of Kevin O’Halloran of Dillon, Mont., Hailee Pelletier of Dillon, Mont., Corey Renfree of Dillon, Mont., Austin Reuter of Dillon, Mont., McKenizy Roberts of Dillon, Mont., Kelli Sakahara of Dillon, Mont., Nathan Simkins of Dillon, Mont., Kiley Smith of Dillon, Mont., Hannah Telling of Dillon, Mont., Adam Waldorf of Dillon, Mont. and O. Alan Weltzien of Dillon, Mont., Bill Wilson of Iowa,
Go To Top
Free Speaker Program Features the History of the Clark Canyon Dam
Tuesday, November 6 2007
“The Construction of the Clark Canyon Dam” is the title of the next program of the University of Montana Western Free Speakers series.
The program is Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Great Room of the Swysgood Technology Center.
Dillon attorney Carl Davis will take the audience on a historical journey into the issues, origins and political ramifications that surrounded the construction of the Clark Canyon Dam from 1961 to 1964.
The construction of the dam required the relocation of the Union Pacific Railroad, U.S. Highway 91 and left the small community of Armstead under water.
For additional information, call the Montana Western School of Outreach at 683-7537.
Go To Top
Montana Poet Featured at "Dances With Words"
Monday, November 5 2007
Montana poet Dave Thomas will give the next reading of the fall semester’s “Dancing With Words” Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in The Cup, located on the lower level of the Swysgood Technology Center.
Thomas was raised on the Hi-Line in Havre in north central Montana. His published works include “The Hellgate Wind: Selected Poems, 1975-2003” and “Buck’s Last Wreck.”
His time in the Army ROTC, the politics of war, his life as a construction worker, a railroad worker, painting houses in Missoula, his experiences of spending the winter in Mexico and Central and South America and his every day experiences have inspired an impressive body of work.
Montana poet Roger Dunsmore said this about Thomas in his “All My Stories Are Here: Four Montana Poets.”
“Dave Thomas’ life, work and poems have taken him outside the box of conventional American culture.” Said Dunsmore.
His most famous poem is “The Ten Thousand Things” which was read by Garrison Keillor on his National Public Radio show “The Writer’s Almanac.”
“Dances With Words”, a series of readings of regional writers and poets during the 2007 fall semester, is sponsored by The University of Montana Western English department.
Go To Top
"On the Rocks" Set for Monday, Nov. 5
Thursday, November 1 2007
Fluvial Arctic grayling restoration on the upper Big Hole River is the subject of the next “On the Rocks” presentation Monday, Nov. 5, 2007.
"On the Rocks" is a guest speaker series sponsored by the Department of Environmental Sciences and Program in Mathematics at the University of Montana Western.
The presentation gets underway at 4:15 p.m. in Block Hall 311.
The featured speaker is Jeff Everett, wildlife biologist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Everett will discuss the ongoing project to restore grayling on the upper Big Hole River.
Montana Western students are doing assessment and research activities in support of the project.
Everett graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1998 a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Biology.
He began his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a volunteer in 1999.
As a biotech, Jeff spent four years working closely with the Blackfoot Challenge and Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited, developing restoration projects for west slope cutthroat trout and bull trout on private land
He has nine years of experience working with private landowners to develop and implement complex stream, riparian, wetland and upland restoration projects and has worked on over 40 individual projects.
Everett’s training includes the first three levels of Rosgen Training, and advanced geograpahical information system and survey training.
"On the Rocks" provides a forum for the presentation of topics of interest to the scientific community. Neither Montana Western nor the Department of Environmental Sciences is advocating any particular view or any policy or position.
Go To Top