May 2006
Montana Western Graduate Joins Mining Company
Friday, May 19 2006
Josh Juarez, a senior environmental science student from Butte, Mont., has accepted a position as a geologist with the Stillwater Mining Company at Nye, Mont.
Juarez will graduate May 13 from the University of Montana Western with a B.A. in environmental sciences with an emphasis in environmental geochemistry.
Juarez is the fifth Montana Western student to be hired by the Stillwater Mining Company in the past two years.
Juarez is a 1991 graduate of Butte High School. He is the son of Joey Juarez and Terri Sparks of Butte, Mont. Juarez and his wife Jennifer are the parents of Jaci. Jennifer is also a Montana Western student.
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Business Professor Honored With Retirement Reception
Tuesday, May 16 2006
John Bailey, assistant professor of business, was honored with a retirement reception on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.
During the reception, Bailey was presented gifts and comments were made by his Montana Western colleagues.
Bailey is retiring from Montana Western after eighteen years. The Montana Board of Regents conferred on Bailey the rank of Assistant Professor Emeritus of Business.
During his career, Bailey played an active role on the Montana Western campus. He served for four years as the Chair of the Business and Technology Division; he was a member of the Curriculum Committee, Honors Committee, General Education committee and Chair of the International Committee. The Montana Western administration has recognized Bailey with their Outstanding Faculty Awards.
He had an active role in the design of the A.A.S. degree in Tourism and Recreation, The Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree, the B.S. in business and equine studies and the Natural Horsemanship degree.
Bailey and his wife Kathleen are off to teach one year at Xian International Studies University in Xian, China. Bailey served a one-year sabbatical at Xian International Studies University several years ago.
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Early National Forest Photos at Gallery
Monday, May 15 2006
"Splendid was the Trail: Photographs of the National Forests by K.D. Swan" is the new exhibit at The University of Montana Western Art Gallery/Museum through June 29. The exhibit celebrates the work of Kenneth D. Swan, a Forest Service employee and photographer from the first half of the twentieth century.
Swan, originally from Massachusetts, arrived in Missoula in 1911 to begin a job with the newly created Forest Service. He was trained as a forester, but his work eventually led him into public information and photography.
Through his many photographs and public presentations, Swan revealed the unique beauty of remote, wild areas of Montana, Idaho, and the Dakotas. This traveling exhibit reflects Swan's skill as a photographer and the mission to which he was devoted: the importance of experiencing and valuing America's public lands.
"These large scale photographs document both landscape vistas and human interaction with the forest," says Gallery Director Randy Horst. "They're stunning in their timeless artistry and in their ability to capture a slice of history in our forests and those who care for them."
The exhibit was created by the Northern Region of the U.S. Forest Service in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the agency. The Dillon community is invited to public reception for the exhibit and presentation by historian Kirby Lambert on the evening of Thursday, June 8. This will be a free event and refreshments will be served. The reception is scheduled to coincide with the "Inspirations from the Forest" special exhibits at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center that week.
The Art Gallery can be found at the south end of the first floor of Main Hall on the Western campus and includes the Seidensticker Wildlife Collection of trophy mounts and a permanent art collection. Scheduled gallery hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and the gallery is always free. To arrange for special times or visits call the director at 683-7232.
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1977 Western Grad to Receive Distinguished Alumni Award
Monday, May 8 2006
The University of Montana Western Foundation’s 27th Associates Dinner is Friday, May 12 in the Lewis and Clark Room. The social hour begins at 6:00 followed by the dinner and program at 7:00 pm.
The dinner honors those who have made significant contributions to scholarship and academic programs. During the dinner, the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Mike Foster.
A 4th generation Montanan, Foster was born and raised in
Townsend. He is a 1977 graduate of Montana Western with a degree in secondary education. Coming from a politically active family, it was only natural that politics be a part of his campus life. Foster served as both
Student Body President and as a Legislative Intern to the Montana Legislature.
Upon graduation from Montana Western, he accepted a teaching position at his alma mater, Broadwater County High School in Townsend. While teaching in Townsend, he added a business administration degree from Carroll College.
Over the next 20 years, he continued to make his home in Townsend but changed careers. Foster went from education to public service. He served as a Utility Rate Analyst for the Montana Public Service Commission, Assistant Director of the Montana Hospitals Rate Review System; the Executive Director of HealthShare Montana, Executive Director of the Montana Contractors’ Association, Director of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. From 2001-2002 he was the Chief Policy Advisor to the Governor of Montana. He is currently the Regional Director of Advocacy, St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings.
In the midst of a busy, public-service career and the raising of a family, Foster re-entered the political world by serving in both the Montana House of Representatives and the Montana Senate. He served as the Majority Whip of the Montana Senate.
In 2004, he was appointed to the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education and has served as both Vice-Chair and Chair.
Foster and his wife Mary, are the parents of daughter Lacey and sons Bradley and Sean.
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2006 Commencement Week
Friday, May 5 2006
The 109th Commencement of the University of Montana Western is set for Saturday, May 13, 2006 in the Straugh Gymnasium, beginning at 2:00 p.m. 221 degrees will be awarded.
Businessman and lawyer Peter Tomaryn, will deliver the commencement address.
A weekend full of commencement activities begins Friday, May 12, with the Western Foundation’s 27th Associates Dinner. The dinner honors those, who have made significant contributions to scholarships and academic programs. During the dinner, the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Mike Foster of Billings.
Saturday’s activities begin with Baccalaureate Ceremonies in the Small Auditorium at 8:30 a.m. 2006 Montana Western graduate Emily Spitzer will deliver the Baccalaureate address. The ceremony will also include faculty remarks from John Bailey and clergy remarks from Pastor Richard Stidham of the Southern Baptist Church of Dillon, as well as scripture reading, special music and prayer.
The Graduation Brunch follows at 10 a.m. in the Lewis and Clark Room. The Brunch is open to all 2006 graduates and their parents and any interested alumni. Dr. Sean Eudaily, is the featured speaker.
The 109th Commencement begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Straugh Gymnasium. A reception honoring the graduates will be held immediately following the ceremonies in the Lewis and Clark Room.
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Alumni Service Award Luncheon Held
Wednesday, May 3 2006
The University of Montana Western Alumni Service Award Luncheon was held Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 12:00 noon in the Lewis-Clark Room.
The Alumni Service Award is awarded annually to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to UM-Western. The recipient does not have to be a graduate of UM-Western.
The 2006 Alumni Service Award recipients were Dillon businessman and community leader Kim Baker and Maryellen Wilkerson, Dillon businesswoman and community leader.
A native of Miles City, Kim Baker moved to Dillon in the sixth grade and has lived here ever since. Baker was an outstanding athlete at Beaverhead County High School. His athletic ability earned him a scholarship to Montana Tech in both football and wrestling. After four years at Montana Tech, Baker returned to Dillon and began a career in construction and community public service. He was active member of the Dillon Jaycees and served at one time as president. He is credited as co- founder of the Big Name Entertainment portion of the Labor Day Weekend festivities. The first star to appear in Dillon was George Strait. Baker donated labor to revamp the Dillon Little League building at Vigilante Park. His community service efforts were recognized in 1990 when he was named the Dillon Jaycees “Outstanding Young Man of the Year.” When it comes to Montana Western, Baker has done much. In his typical understate way, and without any attempt to draw attention to his generosity, Baker has donated many, many hours of his time. He re-engineered and rebuilt the majestic new entrance to Main Hall. Baker rescued the Montana Western foundation by completing the Roe House Exterior Renovation. Baker and crew performed above and beyond the call of duty following last summer’s big earthquake that severely shook the campus and the town. Baker and KB construction built the Vigilante Field concession stand/locker rooms with little or no profit. He is always a vocal supporter of Montana Western. Kim and his wife Tammy are the parents of three children.
Maryellen Wilkerson was raised in Wisdom. After graduating from Wisdom elementary school, she finished high school at Darby. Wilkerson graduated from Western in 1961 with B.A. in secondary education with majors in English and Social Science. After college, she didn’t slow down but increased her pace in life. She worked for 2 and a half years at the Dillon Veterinary Hospital well husband John finished school. With teaching at BCHS, she tried to be a stay-at-home Mom with first son Kevin and then daughter Kirsten. The call to duty brought back to school as manager of the “John’s Greasy Spoon” the snack bar at the Beaverhead County High School. What was supposed to be a place to earn a little extra cash turned into a 20-year “labor of love”. It was 20 years well spent, as she become an intricate part of campus life at B.C.H.S. In the last four years, she was a teacher at the Page One Pre-school. Working at Old West Cinema Gifts gave her a taste of the business world. That led to the opening of the Knockabout Dress Shop with daughter Kirsten. The
business has grown and prospered over the last eleven years. When it comes to volunteering, she can’t say no. Her lack of saying no has benefited Dillon and Montana Western. Wilkerson was an Elder and taught church school at the First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Barrett Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, serving three years as president and most recently, as an energetic supporter of the Southwest Montana Arts Council. As a friend of Montana Western, she served on the Alumni Board for 12 years during which the “Save Our College” movement was born. While Wilkerson was president of the Alumni Association, she also served on the Foundation Board. In 1999, she was appointed by the governor to serve as a member of the local Executive Board. In 1987, she was named “Woman of the Year.” She and her husband John are the parents of two and the grandparents of five.
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