May 2007
Olie Receives 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award
Wednesday, May 16 2007
Iola (Olie) Else received the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award during the 28th University of Montana Western Foundation Dinner, Friday, May 11, 2007.
Else is a 1969 graduate of Tendoy High School of Tendoy, Idaho and a 1973 graduate of Western Montana College (now Montana Western). She received her Master’s in Education from the University of Montana.
Her list of accomplishments and accolades is staggering. While growing up in southeastern Idaho, she received Idaho’s Outstanding 4-H award and was selected as Salmon, Idaho’s Junior Miss.
In college, she was selected as Miss Rodeo Idaho and the college’s Homecoming Queen. Else was selected as the Circle K Chapter Sweetheart and served as Vice-President of the Student Senate.
As the Montana Western rodeo coach, her teams have won 24 Big Sky Regional team championships. The 2005 women’s team finished second in the nation. Her program has produced six individual national champions. She was selected the Big Sky Region’s Coach of the Year ten straight years. In 2004, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association selected her their National Coach of the Year.
As a member of the Montana Western faculty, she is a 10-time recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award. In 1996, the Montana Western Alumni Association presented her with the Alumni Service Award.
In the Dillon community, she has served on the local D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) committee and the Dillon District 10 School Board and was a tutor for the Dillon Elementary School. Else helped start the Riverside Wranglers 4-H Club and served as their leader from 1981 to 1992.
“All these facts are on paper,” said Tom Yahraes, Montana Western Foundation Director. “What is not documented is what Olie has done over the years with her heart. She has single handedly helped more students than anyone else on campus. She is the mom for students away from home. No, not just the rodeo team members; any kid that needs a hug, a tug, a push, a meal, a bed and probably a buck, Olie is there. Her campus title is Rodeo Coach and instructor, but she is also our top student recruiter, advisor, counselor, therapist, tutor and motivator. Olie is possibly Montana Western’s best known ambassador.”
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Retrospective Exhibit and Display for Barney Brienza
Tuesday, May 15 2007
Longtime art faculty member Barney Brienza is retiring after serving The University of Montana Western campus for over 35 years.
In tribute to his years of innovation and service to the campus and the artistic community in Montana, a retrospective exhibit of the artwork of Barney Brienza will be held at the Montana Western Art Gallery/Museum from May 16 to June 1.
There is an artist's reception for Brienza on Thursday, May 17 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The community is invited to this free reception and refreshments will be served. Some of the works in the retrospective exhibit are for sale.
Barney Brienza received his B.A. and M.A. in Art at Western New Mexico University. He joined the faculty at The University of Montana Western in 1971. Brienza was hired to teach sculpture, clay, crafts, and art history.
In addition, and under his own initiative, Brienza introduced and taught glass blowing, stained glass, artist blacksmithing, and jewelry, building many of the tools and equipment himself.
He led numerous art study tours for students and community to Europe, Mexico, and the American Southwest.
Brienza served terms as the Chair of the Division of Humanities, the Chair of the Fine Arts Department, and as the program trustee for the Mary Baker Emerick Art Endowment.
Brienza has given numerous workshops and demonstrations in Clay, Glass Blowing, and Blacksmithing throughout the Western United States.
In 1989 he participated in a faculty exchange with Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, Australia.
As an artist Brienza has exhibited his artwork widely in both juried and invitational exhibits and sells his work at commercial galleries in Wyoming and Utah. In 1997 he was invited to exhibit in the prestigious Montana Governor's Culture Foundation Art Show in Helena.
The Art Gallery can be found at the south end of the first floor of Main Hall on the Montana Western campus and includes the Seidensticker Wildlife Collection of trophy mounts and a permanent art collection. Scheduled gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and the gallery is always free.
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ASUMW Hold Student Government Elections
Tuesday, May 8 2007
The Associated Students of the University of Montana Western (ASUMW) recently held student government elections for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Taylor Nahrgang, a junior from Buckeye, Ariz., was elected student body president, and Stetson Wilson, a junior from Pocatello, Idaho was elected student body vice-president. (Both will be juniors when the 07-08 year begins).
Elected to the ASUMW Student Senate were Boe Adler of Rosebud, Mont., Seth Brewer of Great Falls, Mont., Rachel Bulcher of Hansen, Idaho, Chelcy Goodwin of Plains, Mont., Chelsea Kack of Twin Falls, Idaho, Thayne Kauer of Lemhi, Idaho, Kayla Matich of Butte, Mont., Lily Murphy of Helmville, Mont., Ashley Neill of Great Falls, Mont., Brenna Nicks of Salmon, Idaho, Linda Pattengale of Livingston, Mont., Kenneth Wait of Fort Benton, Mont. and Heather Wendt of Fort Benton, Mont..
The ASUMW Student Senate also awarded their year-end awards.
The Outstanding Senior award went to Scott Calhoun of Anaconda, Mont. and Whitney Wines of Gooding, Idaho.
Student Senate Scholarship recipients were Bonita Bontrager of Eureka, Mont., Seth Brewer of Great Falls, Mont., Katie Hart; Anaconda, Mont James Mason; Missoula, Mont., Lily Murphy of Helmville, Mont., Linda Pattengale of Livingston, Mont. and Michelle Williamson, of Plains, Mont.
ASUMW Student Senate Club Awards were announced. The Rodeo Club received the Best Club Award. The Equestrian Club received the Most Improved Award.
The Campus Service Award went to the Ambassadors and the Community Service Award went to Chi Alpha.
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110 Commencement Set For May 12
Friday, May 4 2007
Montana governor Brian Schweitzer will address the class of 2007 at the University of Montana Western’s 11Oth commencement ceremonies at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12 in the Straugh Gymnasium.
A weekend full of commencement activities begins Friday, May 11, with the Western Foundation’s 28th Associates Dinner. The dinner honors those, who have made significant contributions to scholarships and academic programs. During the dinner, the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Iola Else of Dillon, Mont.
Saturday’s activities begin with Baccalaureate Ceremonies in the Beier Auditorium beginning at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will include faculty remarks from Dick Clark.
The Graduation Brunch follows at 9:45 a.m. in the Lewis and Clark Room. The Brunch is open to all 2007 graduates and their parents and any interested alumni. Bill O’Connor, professor of economics at Montana Western, is the featured speaker.
The 110th Commencement begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Straugh Gymnasium. A reception honoring the graduates will be held immediately following the ceremonies in the Keltz Arena.
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Salish Poet and Playwright Featured at Semester's Final "Dances With Words"
Tuesday, May 1 2007
Salish poet and playwright Vic Charlo will be featured at this year’s final installment of the University of Montana Western’s acclaimed “Dances with Words” series.
Charlo is scheduled to read selected poems Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in “The Cup,” the university’s coffee shop located on the lower level of the Swysgood Technology Center.
Montana Western’s English department sponsors “Dances” which features visiting writers and poets. The series is funded by the university and local patrons.
English department chair Alan Weltzien said, “We are most pleased to have Vic Charlo with us. He is not only a renowned poet and writer, but brings a unique perspective to his exceptional work.”
Charlo lives in Dixon, Mont. and is the great-great grandson of Chief Victor Charlo of the Bitterroot Salish tribe. Through lineage he is recognized as a tribal spiritual leader.
He was born and raised in Evaro, Mont. on the Flathead Reservation and attended high school in Missoula. After graduation, Charlo entered the seminary and studied to be a Jesuit priest for seven years. After leaving the seminary he became passionately involved in Native causes through a variety of social justice venues, most notably The Poor People’s Campaign.
As a student at the University of Montana (UM), Charlo met and befriended famed regional poet Dick Hugo. After graduating from UM, he attended Gonzaga University where he received a master’s degree in curriculum. Charlo returned to the Flathead reservation to co-found and serve as principal for Two Eagle River School, the first all Indian Grade School.
In addition to writing award winning poetry, Charlo has spent the past 15 years in collaboration with Zan Agzigian co-writing contemporary Native American plays under the auspices of the Open To All Native Acting Troupe of North West Montana.
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